Program Information

Students selecting this major also major in Education and seek licensure as a teacher of visual arts (PreK-8, 5-12).  The art major offers students an opportunity for the unique development of their talents in a wide range of visual arts courses and concentrations. A full spectrum of studio courses affords students the development of their personal talents in the visual arts. An assortment of methods, techniques, materials, and philosophies challenge art majors to express themselves to their fullest potential. It is the underlying philosophy of this major that students maturing as artists have a responsibility to share and lead in developing a better and more meaningful society. This commitment to artistic and social responsibility by the Visual and Performing Arts Department, its faculty, and its students is the essence of the Springfield College humanics philosophy.

Graduates in this major have the professional preparation necessary to work with people of all ages with varying degrees of functional or organic impairment, as well as in public or alternative schools. Through art therapy, the therapist provides an opportunity for nonverbal expression and communication, which can promote a reconciliation of emotional conflicts and foster self-awareness and personal growth.

Graduates are prepared for work in a variety of settings, including public schools, hospitals and clinics, community mental health centers, geriatric centers, nursing homes, and halfway houses. Some may choose to work in private or public schools and institutions for emotional problems, learning differences, developmental delays, brain damage, deafness, vision impairments, physically challenged, and disabled children.

The curriculum prepares students for a career as a teacher of visual arts.  Additionally, the curriculum is designed to prepare students for graduate study in the art therapy field.  Students wishing to become registered art therapists by the American Art Therapy Association must obtain a graduate degree.

Degree Information

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Art Therapy

(a minimum of 120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Contact Information

Information about the program can be obtained by contacting Dr. Simone Alter-Muri of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, at (413) 748-3752. For general information about the art major, contact Professor Martin Shell at (413) 748-3443 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

For more information about the undergraduate art therapy major contact Dr. Mary Ellen Hluska at (413) 748-4734 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)

The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being. 

For specific requirements, see the General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)  section.

II. Major Requirements (Art Therapy)

III. Education Requirements

Completion of the following courses ensures successful completion of the Education major with a specialization in Secondary Teacher Licensure.

Required courses:

• ENGL 113 - College Writing I Credits: 3
• ENGL 114 - College Writing II Credits: 3
• ARTS 103 - Studio in Computer Graphics Credits: 3
• ARTS 210 - Figure Drawing Credits: 3
• ARTS 225 - Studio in Photography Credits: 3
• ARTS 255 - Introduction to Art Education Credits: 3
• ARTS 280 - Integrating Arts in the Classroom Credits: 3
• ARTS 382 - Seminar in Teaching Art Credits: 1
• ATPY 105 - Methods and Materials of Art Therapy Credits: 3
• ATPY 309 - Pre-Practicum in Art Therapy and Art Education Credits: 3
• EDUC 234 - Curriculum, Methods, and Organization for Secondary Teachers Credits: 3
• EDUC 237 - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credits: 3
• EDUC 238 - Pre-Practicum in Special Education (PreK-8) Credits: 1
• EDUC 364 - Pre-Practicum-Teaching and Special Issues in Secondary Education Credits: 3
• EDUC 328 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3

V. Practicum requirement

 In addition, select a total of 12 credits from the following practicum options:

• EDUC 464 - Middle School Practicum and Seminar Credits: 4-12
• EDUC 465 - High School Practicum and Seminar Credits: 4-12
• EDUC 468 - Elementary (1-6) Practicum and Seminar Credits: 4-12
• Students pursuing licensure at the PK-8 and 5-12 grade levels must take two practicum courses for 8 credits each (16 credits total for both).

Admission to Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Programs

Once admitted to Springfield College, the student must meet the following requirements in order to become an official candidate for licensure and get formally admitted to a specific teacher preparation program.  This typically occurs prior to the student’s junior year or the equivalent for transfer students.

1. Follow the appropriate course of study based on the field the student is interested in teaching. This includes majoring in an acceptable major for that licensure area and taking the required teacher preparation courses. This enables the student to fulfill the prerequisites needed to gain admission to a teacher preparation program. Examples of acceptable majors and licensure areas are psychology for early childhood; American studies, English, or mathematics and computer technology for elementary and/or special education; biology, English, history or mathematics for secondary; movement and sports studies for physical education or dual health & physical education; art or art therapy for art education; and health promotion for health education.
2. Complete, or be in the process of completing, all prerequisites identified for the specific program.
3. Earn a minimum 2.750 (3.250 MOST-PHE) cumulative grade point average for all designated licensure courses. This includes all subject matter knowledge coursework as well as teacher preparation professional coursework.  See educator preparation homepage on our website for specific lists of ‘Prerequisites and Program Requirements’ for each licensure program. [Note: In all programs except physical education and health, the grade point average for the student’s major is calculated separately from the grade point average for professional preparation courses.]
4. Earn a minimum 2.500 (3.250 MOST-PHE) cumulative grade point average and minimum grades specified for designated courses
5. Demonstrate the personal characteristics/professional behaviors needed to become a quality teacher (i.e., responsible, dependable, hard working, professional, committed to the teaching profession, etc.).
6. Be recommended for admission into a teacher licensure program by the appropriate major department and the Education Department.  For students in health and physical education, the only recommendation required is from the Physical Education and Health Education Department.
7. Receive a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Tests (reading and writing) of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

Note: Students who have been admitted to a teacher preparation program must maintain all the admissions requirements listed above through the semester preceding the practicum (student teaching) in order to be eligible to begin the practicum experience and must maintain cumulative GPA’s in order to successfully complete the program.

Once all admissions requirements have been met, the student must fill out the application for admission. Applications are available from advisors, departments, or the Educator Preparation Office.

The Director of Educator Preparation & Licensure will review the completed application and notify the candidate of the admission decision. If a student wishes to appeal this decision, a written appeal must be submitted to the Educator Preparation Council.

IV. Elective Courses (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)