Program Information

Students selecting this major seek licensure as a teacher.  Springfield College has long been recognized as an undisputed leader in the fields of physical education, movement studies, and sport. Excellent faculty, modern equipment and facilities, and majors that equally emphasize theoretical and practical achievement are the hallmarks of the College’s movement and sports studies programs.

The movement and sports studies major provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific and social foundations of movement and its cultural forms of dance, sport, games, and exercise. Science is at the foundation of the major, with students taking courses in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of movement.  The major offers students the opportunity to prepare for licensure as a teacher of physical education; entry-level positions in coaching; and for graduate study in movement and sports studies, sport management, allied health fields, rehabilitation, and teacher preparation.

Students seeking licensure as a teacher of physical education complete the movement and sports studies major, related physical education courses, and an extensive practicum component.

Download a Movement and Sports Studies / Physical Education Teacher Licensure Sequencing Guide

Degree Information

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Movement and Sports Studies

(120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Contact Information

For more information about these programs, contact Dr. Stephen Coulon, chairperson of the Physical Education and Health Education Department, at (413) 748-3029, 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. Teacher Licensure Requirements

• DANC 102 - Introduction to Dance Credits: 3
• EDUC 328 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3
• ENGL 113 - College Writing I Credits: 3
• ENGL 114 - College Writing II Credits: 3
• MOST 410 - Assessment in Movement and Sport Credits: 3
• PHED 102 - Instructional Strategies in Physical Education Credits: 3

• (a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)

• PHED 236 - Elementary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: Grades K-2 Credits: 1.5

• (a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)

• PHED 237 - Elementary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: Grades 3-5 Credits: 1.5

• (a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)

• PHED 238 - Secondary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: Grades 6-8 Credits: 1.5

• (a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)

• PHED 239 - Secondary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum, Grades 9-12 Credits: 1.5

• (a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)

• PHED 308 - Adapted Physical Education Programming Credits: 3

• (a grade of ‘C’ or better is required to meet program requirements)

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

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.