Program Description

The art and design major at Springfield College provides an opportunity for students to learn to creatively combine practical, conceptual, and critical skills to engage with the challenges of an ever-changing and increasingly visual contemporary world. Art and design students are encouraged to develop a personal vision through guided exploration in the studio arts and design in parallel with a comprehensive foundation in art and design history. Through diverse coursework, the major provides students opportunities to develop their creative talents in a variety of visual arts and design approaches. As students mature as artists and designers, they become visually literate, skilled in creative problem-solving, and aesthetically sensitive. 
 
The core requirements of the major expose students to an exciting foundation of coursework in both studio arts and design. Once the core requirements have been met, students will pursue a focus in either the studio arts or in design. 

Students who focus on studio arts choose from an exciting array of introductory and advanced-level courses in drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. Exploration and development in different areas of studio arts are informed by an experimental approach, one that supports risk taking and innovation. Through a solid foundation, students are prepared for advanced study and professional opportunities in the arts.

Students who focus on design develop skills in areas of graphic design, web design, multimedia and communication design, motion graphics, exhibition, packaging, and environmental design. An innovative blend of the creative and the technological, the design focus prepares students to enter the workforce with experience, strong portfolios, and the knowledge gained from an evolving curriculum that reflects a rapidly changing field. Students explore these areas utilizing computer software, 3D printers, virtual reality, and emergent technologies. The flexibility and expansive understanding of design prepare students to pursue a variety of exciting creative careers. 

In addition, the art and design major can be combined with the education major (ARTD & EDUC 5-12), wherein students concentrate on studio art as their pathway into a teaching career. Students complete the ARTD requirements in tandem with classes outlined by the Education Department that prepares them for the MTEL in Visual Arts and leads to a teaching license.

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. Art & Design Major Requirements (51-60 credits*)

*Coursework listed within the Art & Design Major Requirements section also satisfies the Aesthetic Expression domain of the Core Curriculum.  There are 48-57 unique credits required in the Art & Design major.

III. Education: Grades 5-12 Requirements (45 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 30 unique credits required in the Education/Grades 5-12 major.