Program Information

Students selecting this major also major in Education and seek licensure as a teacher of mathematics at the 5-8 and/or 8-12 grade levels.  The mathematics major at Springfield College offers students a broad and solid background in the field, preparing them to immediately pursue a professional career in government, business, and various industries that require mathematical discipline. Students also have the option to proceed to graduate school for further study in mathematics, statistics, or applied mathematics.

Offerings in mathematical analysis, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, and probability theory are supplemented by courses in abstract algebra, geometry, and mathematics seminar. Mathematics majors have the opportunity to complete a minor, including computer science, computer programming, business management, and economics. All students are assigned an academic advisor who assists them in the development of their course of study.

Students who are interested in teaching at the elementary level should consider the mathematics and computer technology / elementary teacher licensure program.

Download a Mathematics / Education / Secondary Teacher Licensure Program Checksheet

Degree Information

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

(120 credits hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Contact Information

For more information about the mathematics major, contact Dr. Andrew Perry, chairperson of the Mathematics/Physics/Computer Science Department, at (413) 748-3193 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 (Mathematics)

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

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

Required courses:

• EDUC 101 - Schools, Society, and Diverse Learners Credits: 3
• 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 250 - Childhood and Adolescent Development in Educational Settings Credits: 3
• EDUC 318 - Tutorial Pre-Practicum Credits: 3
• EDUC 364 - Pre-Practicum-Teaching and Special Issues in Secondary Education Credits: 3
• EDUC 328 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3
• EDUC 271 - Learning, Teaching, and Technology Credits: 3
• ENGL 113 - College Writing I Credits: 3
• ENGL 114 - College Writing II Credits: 3

Program Requirements

In order to continue in the mathematics major, students must qualify for advanced standing during the spring semester of their sophomore year, prior to registration for junior-level classes.  (Students seeking secondary teacher licensure must also meet certain standards to be accepted into the teacher preparation program. In some cases, these requirements are higher than the standards listed below.) In order to qualify for advanced standing as a mathematics major, students must:

1. Achieve at least a 2.500 cumulative GPA.
2. Achieve at least a 2.500 GPA in their program requirements.
3. Complete all program requirements with a grade of C- or better. Courses in which unsatisfactory grades were received must be repeated.
4. Be making satisfactory progress toward the completion of their program of study, as determined by the academic advisor and the department.
5. Have completed or be in the process of completing any program requirements in which an incomplete was received.

(Incomplete grades in program requirements must be completed by the end of the semester following the receipt of the incomplete, unless an extended deadline has been negotiated.)

Students who do not meet these minimum standards are placed on departmental probationary status for a period of not more than one year. A student will be removed from departmental probationary status if and only if the minimum standards for advanced standing have been met. A student who is unable to meet the minimum standards during the probationary period will be subject to being dropped from the major. Once achieved, advanced standing must be maintained in order to continue in the major and complete the program.

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.