Program Description

The Pre-Kindergarten mission to Second Grade Concentration (ages birth - 8) is to educate students to serve as early childhood professionals. Early childhood professionals should be able to create high quality, collaborative, comprehensive, consistent, and culturally congruent learning environments for all children. Additionally, early childhood professionals should also be able to support and validate parents and families so that communities in which families function will be empowered to achieve social and economic justice.

The PK-2 Concentration does not lead to teacher licensure but can lead to a Massachusetts Early Education and Care Certification. This concentration is only an option for Massachusetts residents enrolled through Regional, Online, and Continuing Education at the Springfield or Boston Campus.

Students must complete a minimum of 26 semester hours focused on PK-2 coursework, in addition to the major core requirements. Students in the concentration must complete coursework in early childhood development and ethics and professional standards. Students must complete an Early Childhood Internship that will focus on developing core competencies as identified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

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. Major Requirements (42-57 credits)

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