Dec 01, 2024  
2024-2025 Springfield College Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Springfield College Catalog

Physical Education and Health/Family and Consumer Science, B.S.


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Program Description


The dual licensure program will prepare students to become teachers of both physical education and health/family and consumer science. The course of study is designed so students meet all of the requirements needed to complete our state-approved physical education and health/family consumer science teacher licensure programs. The integration of classroom learning with hands-on practical experience will uniquely equip students for successful careers in both public and private school settings. Initial involvement and practical experience with school children of all ages begins in the first academic year, and continues throughout all four years. Upon completion, students will be eligible to apply for three teaching licenses: Health/Family Consumer Science (PreK-12), Physical Education (PreK-8), and Physical Education (5-12). Being licensed to teach physical education and health/family and consumer sciences makes graduates of this program more marketable and enhances their employment opportunities. 

Program Highlights


Degree: Bachelor of Science

Required Credits: 134-137

School: School of Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership

Department: Physical Education and Health Education

Modality: On-Ground

Locations: Main Campus (Springfield)

Additional Information: https://springfield.edu/programs/physical-education-and-healthfamily-and-consumer-sciences

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:  

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 (120 credits*)


*Coursework listed within the Major Requirements section also satisfies the ​Aesthetic Expression, Composition I, Composition II, Scientific Reasoning, 200-level Wellness and Physical Literacy, and the Themed Exploration domains of the Core Curriculum.  There are 97 unique credits required in the Major Requirements section.

A. Designated Licensure Requirements (93 credits*)


*Coursework listed within the Major Requirements section also satisfies the ​Aesthetic Expression, Composition I, Composition II, Scientific Reasoning, 200-level Wellness and Physical Literacy, and the Themed Exploration domains of the Core Curriculum.  There are 73 unique credits required in the Designated Licensure Requirements subsection of the Major Requirements section.

a. Required Courses (92 credits*)


*BIOL 130, BIOL 132, CISC 150, DANC 102, EDUC 237, EDUC 328, ENGL 113, and ENGL 114 and WLPL 201 satisfy the Aesthetic Expression, Composition I, Composition II, Scientific Reasoning, 200-level Wellness and Physical Literacy, and the Themed Exploration domains of the Core Curriculum.  There are 69 unique credits of Required Courses in the Designated Licensure Requirements subsection of the Major Requirements section.

B. Additional Requirements (21 credits)


a. Required Courses (18 credits)


b. Mathematics Selective (3 credits)


Select 3 credits from the following list:

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