Program Description

Students electing this major also major in Education and seek licensure as a teacher of biology at the secondary level.  The biology major offers diverse exposure to the key areas of study in the life sciences. Undergraduate study may lead to acceptance to graduate schools, including schools of medicine and dentistry; careers in laboratory sciences in hospitals, government, or industry; and teacher licensure. Students who want to enter medical or dental school are advised by an interdepartmental preprofessional committee.

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 for the Physical Education and Health/Family and Consumer Science major) cumulative grade point average for all designated licensure courses. This includes all subject matter knowledge coursework as well as teacher preparation professional coursework.  
4. Earn a minimum 2.500 (3.000 for the Physical Education and Health/Family and Consumer Science major) 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.

Undergraduate Curriculum Overview

The Academic Advising Center provides the following repositories of sequencing and curriculum guides for all undergraduate majors and minors to assist with course planning:  

• Sequencing Guides - Majors (Traditional Population)  
• Sequencing Guides - Minors (Traditional Population) 
• Curriculum Guides (Regional and Online Population)

Additional Notes:

• There may be circumstances where credit totals do not reflect coursework that is eligible to count towards Core Curriculum and Major Requirement sections of a major simultaneously.
• Degree requirements are subject to change. 

I. Core Curriculum (40 credits)

This Core Curriculum is faithful to the Springfield College mission and further strengthens the Humanics philosophy of educating students in spirit, mind, and body. It is a cornerstone of a Springfield College education. Regardless of one’s major, it provides a strong, developmental, and holistic foundation for leaders in service to humanity. Upon completion, all graduates will be prepared to learn, lead, and serve in diverse, multicultural, and global contexts as well as in any career path they may choose. They will have the knowledge, habits of the mind, skills, and abilities to face unexpected situations and challenges, the values and attitudes for self-motivation and a vision of service that stems from hope, optimism and making a difference, as well as the self-determination to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

View the Core Curriculum Requirements (40 credits)  section for a complete list of the domains and courses therein.

II. Biology Major Requirements (67-70 credits*)

All biology majors must earn a grade of C- or better in all courses required for the major, including selectives.

*Coursework listed within the Biology major requirements section also satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning and Scientific Reasoning domains of the Core Curriculum.  This creates a range of 60-63 unique credits required in the Biology major.

III. Education/Grades 5-12 Requirements (49 credits*)

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

*Coursework listed within the Education/Grades 5-12 major requirements section also satisfies the Composition I, Composition II, and Themed Exploration domains of the Core Curriculum.  There are 34 unique credits required in the Education/Grades 5-12 major.