Program Information

Springfield College offers programs of study in physical education leading to the master’s degree, the certificate of advanced graduate study and the doctorate.

At the master’s level the candidate may earn a master of science or a master of education degree by pursuing and successfully completing a program of study in one of the following areas of concentration: Adapted Physical Education; Advanced Level Coaching; Athletic Administration; Physical Education Teacher - Initial Licensure or Physical Education Advanced Pedagogy, with an option for Professional Licensure.

The requirements for admission are as follows:

• A bachelor’s degree with satisfactory record from an accredited college or university.
• Evidence of personal and professional qualities that show promise of outstanding educational and social leadership.
• Submission of Graduate Record Examination scores taken within five years of the date of application.

In recognition of completion of the highest level of formal academic preparation, the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D) in physical education degree is awarded to highly selected and well-qualified persons who successfully complete this program.

It is the student’s responsibility to meet with his or her advisor to ensure that all requirements are met.

Degree Information

The candidate will be eligible for either a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree or a Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in Physical Education.

Contact Information

Dr. Michelle Moosbrugger at (413) 748-3486
mmoosbrugger@springfieldcollege.edu.

I. Adapted Physical Education concentration

The concentration in Adapted Physical Education is designed to prepare students to assist persons with special needs so that they may safely and successfully engage in programs of physical activities suited to their interests and capacities.

The Master’s program in Adapted Physical Education is intended to meet the needs of licensed physical educators who are seeking additional experience and knowledge in working with individuals with disabilities. Students who complete the program will be eligible to sit for the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) certification exam and achieve national certification (Certified Adapted Physical Educator - CAPE) through the National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEIRD). With this certification, graduates will be in better position to gain employment and work effectively in the field, as they will be listed on the national registry of certified adapted physical educators and be eligible to include the initials “CAPE” after their names. Prerequisite courses are required, but may be completed concurrently with master’s-level courses.

The purposes and objectives of adapted physical education are to:

• Aid in adjustment and resocialization.
• Contribute to security by increasing the ability to meet demands of daily living.
• Protect individuals from undue demands and exercise beyond their tolerance.
• Develop strength, endurance, and coordination for daily living.
• Develop skill in appropriate games, sports, and rhythms.
• Aid in self-correction of conditions that can be improved or removed.

The College maintains affiliations with schools, agencies, and hospitals wherein appropriate field training experiences are provided.

All candidates for this concentration are expected to have an undergraduate background in physical education and, where their educational background is deficient, are required to make up such deficiencies in addition to pursuing the regular graduate program.

The Master’s candidate may choose from the M.Ed., or the M.S. Degree (thesis required for this option).  Thesis students must complete a minimum of 33 credits and Independent Study students must complete a minimum of 34 credits.

Prerequisites: Physical Education Teaching License or Certificate or permission from the department chair, and:

PEAC 108 - Adapted Sport I  

PEAC 109 - Adapted Sport II  

PEAC 208 - Adapted Aquatics Instructor  

II. Advanced Level Coaching concentration

Springfield College has a reputation for producing outstanding coaches at all levels of sports: elite, amateur, professional, intercollegiate, and interscholastic. The advanced-level coaching program is a natural extension of our undergraduate physical education programs and is designed to prepare students for the demands and responsibilities of advanced-level coaching positions. Course work covers advanced-level coaching, physiology, biomechanics, motor learning and control, and sport and exercise psychology.

Undergraduate prerequisites

• Exercise Physiology  (Anatomy & Physiology I & II )
• First Aid & CPR (or equivalent)
• Prevention of Athletic Injury
• Coaching Practicum (or equivalent)

Basic program:  requires 32 semester hours of graduate credit

III. Athletic Administration Concentration

The athletic administration program prepares students for administrative roles in intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, and other athletic settings. For public school athletics director positions, teacher certification can be beneficial.  Students who wish to attain teacher certification, must also satisfy the requirements for the physical education teacher licensure program.

Basic program

The Master’s candidate may choose from the M.Ed., or the M.S. Degree (thesis required for this option).  Thesis students must complete a minimum of 35 credit hours and Independent Study students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours.

IV. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention concentration

This 36 credit graduate program in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention is designed for students interested in a career in designing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive Health Promotion and Wellness programs for individuals, agencies and organizations.

Coursework is designed to prepare graduates to pass the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

In addition to the required and track coursework, all students must complete a research requirement.  Students will complete either a thesis or independent study.  Students who complete a thesis are eligible for a M.S., or M.Ed. degree.  Students who complete an independent study are eligible for a M.Ed. degree and must complete a School of HPER poster presentation of their independent study.

The basic program requires a minimum of 36 credits of graduate coursework.

Contact Person:  
Leslie Beale
Department of Physical Education and Health Education
Telephone: (413) 748-3346
E-Mail: lbeale@springfieldcollege.edu

V. Physical Education Teacher - Initial Licensure concentration

Physical Education Teacher - Initial Licensure program is intended to meet the needs of those students who have earned undergraduate degrees in fields other than physical education and who wish to complete the Massachusetts Teacher Licensure requirements in physical education. Completion of this program will therefore allow graduate students to qualify for initial licensure in elementary physical education (PreK-8) and/or secondary level physical education (5-12).

Note: This program of study is subject to change due to changes being made to the Massachusetts Department of Education Licensure regulations.

Standards for Practicum Placement

All graduate/postbaccalaureate Physical Education Licensure students must meet the following specific requirements along with those identified for Teacher Preparation Program Admission.

1. Complete all prerequisites for specific program (may be in process).
2. Meet or exceed a 3.0 professional cumulative index, consisting of any courses taken with the following prefixes: AEXS, EDUC, HLTH, MOSK, MOST, PEAC, PEPC and PHED (cumulative indexes will be from the last semester completed). (This includes all undergraduate prerequisites taken at Springfield College while enrolled as a graduate student.)
3. Students must also receive a grade of B or better in pre-practicum in order to be eligible to begin the practicum experience.
4. Demonstrate the personal characteristics needed to become a teacher (for example: responsible, dependable, hard working, professional, committed to the field of education.)
5. Earn a passing score on the Massachusetts Tests for Education Licensure - Communications and Literacy Skills Test and the Physical Education Subject Test.
6. Recommendation for practicum placement by department.

Undergraduate prerequisites

• Anatomy & Physiology I and II  (BIOL 130, 132, 131, 133)
• Physiology of Exercise  (AEXS 313)
• Kinesiology (AEXS 319)
• Performance Assessment (MOST 410)
• Psychology or Sociology of Sport (MOST 328 or 428 or PHED 658)
• First Aid & CPR Certification

Skills and Techniques  - 6 credits from the list below

• PEPC Fitness for Life (1 credit)
• Choose 2 credits from the following selectives:
  • basketball, volleyball, track and field, educational gymnastics, target games, striking games, territorial and invasion games, racket, net and wall games.
• Aquatics 
  WSI or Lifeguard (1 credit)
• Swimming
  PEAC 205
  PEAC 206
  PEAC 104
  PEAC 115

• Outdoor/Leisure 
  Outdoor Adventure (.5 credits)
• Movement Across Categories 
  Skill Themes and Movement Concepts (.5 credit)
• A transcript review will determine if additional prerequistes are required

VI. Physical Education Advanced Pedagogy concentration

(With an option to complete an approved Professional Licensure Program)

The master’s candidate may choose from the M.Ed., or the M.S. Degree (thesis required for this option).  Each student must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours and Independent Study students must complete a minimum of 34 credit hours.

Prerequisites:

Physical Education Initial Teaching License.