Program Information

Students selecting this major may complete the health education teacher licensure specialization.  The mission of Springfield College’s health promotion major is to advance the quality of life in our society by providing students with the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to plan, implement, and evaluate health programs in schools, community organizations, healthcare organizations, and worksites. The program promotes the growth and development of students in health classes by fostering decision making, critical thinking, and communication skills that lead to personal and social responsibilities.

Positions are available in the professional field for health educators in government and social agencies, public and private schools, and clinical settings such as hospitals and medical facilities (some of these positions may require preparation beyond the bachelor’s degree). Specialists in this field also serve in public health departments; in social service agencies such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and the American Lung Association; and in the allied areas of research, medicine, patient education, schools, and health maintenance organizations. With increasing attention and concern focused on the state of health and health practices in all segments of American society, the future employment opportunities for qualified health educators are increasing and expanding.

Degree Information

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Health Studies

(120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Contact Information

For more information about the health promotion major, both teaching and non-teaching, contact Dr. Michelle Moosbrugger or Dr. Ted France, co-chairpersons of the Physical Education and Health Education Department 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

III. Elective (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)

Specialization: Health Education Teacher Licensure (leading to a Teacher of Health/Family and Consumer Science license.)

Required courses:

• EDUC 162 - Exceptional Children 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 328 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3
• ENGL 113 - College Writing I Credits: 3
• ENGL 114 - College Writing II Credits: 3
• HLTH 304 - Health Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: PreK-12 Credits: 3

• (a grade of ‘C’ or better is required as a prerequisite for HLTH 386 or 387)

• HLTH 386 - Pre-Practicum in Health/Family and Consumer Science PreK-8 Credits: 2

• or

• HLTH 387 - Pre-Practicum in Health/Family and Consumer Science 5-12 Credits: 2

• (a grade of ‘B’ or better is required in HLTH 386 or 387 as a prerequisite for HLTH 484 and 485)

• HLTH 484 - Health/Family and Consumer Science (PreK-8) Practicum and Seminar Credits: 4-6

• (taken for 6 credits to fulfill program requirements)

• HLTH 485 - Health/Family and Consumer Science (5-12) Practicum and Seminar Credits: 4-6

• (taken for 6 credits to fulfill program requirements)

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.