Program Description

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.

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. Mathematics Major Requirements (45 credits*)

Students who have a deficiency in their mathematics preparation may be required to take MATH 115: College Algebra  and/or MATH 125: Precalculus  before taking MATH 140: Calculus I .

*Coursework listed within the Mathematics major requirements section also satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning domain of the Core Curriculum.  There are 42 unique credits required in the Mathematics major.

• CISC 105 - Introduction to Computer Concepts Credits: 3
• CISC 165 - Visual Programming Concepts Credits: 3

• or

• CISC 175 - Introduction to Computer Science with C++ Credits: 3
• MATH 140 - Calculus I Credits: 3
• MATH 142 - Calculus II Credits: 3
• MATH 201 - Contemporary Applications of Mathematics Credits: 3
• MATH 205 - Geometry Credits: 3
• MATH 215 - Probability and Statistics Credits: 3
• MATH 220 - Calculus III Credits: 3
• MATH 235 - Discrete Mathematics I Credits: 3
• MATH 305 - Differential Equations Credits: 3
• MATH 310 - Linear Algebra Credits: 3
• MATH 335 - Discrete Mathematics II Credits: 3
• MATH 382 - Mathematics Seminar Credits: 3
• MATH 405 - Mathematical Analysis Credits: 3
• MATH 415 - Abstract Algebra Credits: 3

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.

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