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Dec 06, 2025
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2025-2026 Springfield College Catalog
Physical Education, M.Ed./M.S.
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 Return to: Academic Programs
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Program Description
Springfield College offers programs of study in physical education leading to the master’s degree, the certificate of advanced graduate study and the doctorate. At the master’s level the candidate may earn a master of science or a master of education degree by pursuing and successfully completing a program of study in one of the following areas of concentration: Athletic Leadership or Physical Education Teacher - Initial Licensure or Physical Education Advanced Pedagogy, with an option for Professional Licensure. The requirements for admission are as follows: - A bachelor’s degree with satisfactory record from an accredited college or university.
- Evidence of personal and professional qualities that show promise of outstanding educational and social leadership.
In recognition of completion of the highest level of formal academic preparation, the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D) in physical education degree is awarded to highly selected and well-qualified persons who successfully complete this program. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with his or her advisor to ensure that all requirements are met. Program Highlights
Degree: Master of Education or Master of Science Required Credits: 32-45 dependent on concentration and path School: School of Physical Education, Performance, and Sport Leadership Department: Physical Education and Health Education Modality: On-Ground Website: Available on the Springfield College external website (www.springfield.edu) I. Degree Requirements (32-45 credits)
Students are required to meet the degree requirements listed for one of the following Physical Education concentrations A. Physical Education Teacher - Initial Licensure Concentration (40-45 credits)
Physical Education Teacher - Initial Licensure program is intended to meet the needs of those students who have earned undergraduate degrees in fields other than physical education and who wish to complete the Massachusetts Teacher Licensure requirements in physical education. Completion of this program will therefore allow graduate students to qualify for initial licensure in elementary physical education (PreK-8) and/or secondary level physical education (5-12). Note: This program of study is subject to change due to changes being made to the Massachusetts Department of Education Licensure regulations. Standards for Practicum Placement All graduate/postbaccalaureate Physical Education Licensure students must meet the following specific requirements along with those identified for Teacher Preparation Program Admission. - Complete all prerequisites for specific program (may be in process).
- Meet or exceed a 3.0 professional cumulative index, consisting of any courses taken with the following prefixes: AEXS, EDUC, HLTH, MOSK, MOST, PEAC, PEPC and PHED (cumulative indexes will be from the last semester completed). (This includes all undergraduate prerequisites taken at Springfield College while enrolled as a graduate student.)
- Students must also receive a grade of B or better in pre-practicum in order to be eligible to begin the practicum experience.
- Demonstrate the personal characteristics needed to become a teacher (for example: responsible, dependable, hard working, professional, committed to the field of education.)
- Earn a passing score on the Massachusetts Tests for Education Licensure - Communications and Literacy Skills Test and the Physical Education Subject Test.
- Recommendation for practicum placement by department.
Undergraduate prerequisites -
Prerequisites: (Licensure Requirements)
BIOL 130, 132, 131, 133 Anatomy & Physiology I and II
AEXS 313 Physiology of Exercise
AEXS 319 Kinesiology
Skills & Techniques (5 credits)
Sports First Aid & Injury Prevention or Certification Required Skills and Techniques Wellness
PEPC 100 Fitness for Life (1.0 cr)
Team, Individual/Dual , and Lifetime Sports (Choose 2 credits from the following selectives):
PEPC 180 Educ. Gymnastics
PEPC 250 Territorial/Inv. Games
PEPC 263 Track & Field
PEPC 240 Target Games
PEPC 258 Volleyball
PEPC 270 Racket: Net & Wall
PEPC 244 Basketball
PEPC 260 Striking Games
Aquatics
PEAC 205/206 Lifeguard Training or Water Safety Instructor
OR
PEAC 104/115 Swimming/Fitness Swimming
Outdoor/Leisure
PEPC 280 Outdoor Adventure
Movement Across Categories
MOSK 140 Skill Themes & Movement Concepts
Candidates for licensure must maintain a 3.0 professional gpa, pass the Communication & Literacy and PE portions of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure, and earn a B or better in PHED 636, 637, 638 and 639 in order to be recommended for practicum placement by the department. Candidates must also demonstrate the personal characteristics needed to become a teacher (e.g.: responsible, dependable, hard working, professional, and committed to the field of education). a. Required Courses (30-32 credits)
b. Practicum Experience Selective (6 credits)
Select 6 credits of practicum from the following list: c. Research Requirements (4-9 credits)
Students must select one path from the following list: i. Thesis Path (9 credits)
Students completing the Thesis path will take an oral examination on their research and qualify for the M.S. or M.Ed. ii. Independent Study Path (4 credits)
Students completing the Independent Study path must also pass the poster presentation to qualify for the M.Ed. B. Physical Education Advanced Pedagogy Concentration (32-34 credits)
The Physical Education Advanced Pedagogy concentration is intended for individuals who hold an initial teaching license in physical education and/or have prior teaching experience in physical education or related areas. For those with initial licensure, completion of this program will fulfill the educational component of the requirements to advance an initial stage license to professional stage in Massachusetts. The master’s candidate may choose from the M.Ed. or the M.S. Degree (thesis required for this option). Thesis students must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours and Independent Study students must complete a minimum of 34 credit hours. a. Required Courses (15 credits)
b. Research Requirements (4-9 credits)
Students must select one path from the following list: i. Thesis Path (9 credits)
Students completing the Thesis path will take an oral examination on their research and qualify for the M.S. or M.Ed. ii. Independent Study Path (4 credits)
Students completing the Independent Study path must also pass the poster presentation to qualify for the M.Ed. c. Selectives (8-15 credits)
Thesis students select 8 credits and Independent Study students select 15 credits of from the following list in consultation with an advisor: C. Additional Program Options
There is a 12-credit Physical Education Professional Licensure option designed for licensed physical education teachers who are advancing their MA initial stage teaching license to a professional stage license. It is required for the Physical Education Advanced Pedagogy concentration and optional for the Athletic Leadership and Physical Education Teacher - Initial Licensure concentrations. For consideration, students in the must complete the 12-credit option paperwork including submission of the following forms to the PEHE Graduate Coordinator: 1. Registration form; 2. Needs Assessment form, and; 3. Plan of Study/Advising form. All forms can be found on the Educator Preparation webpage under “Graduate Programs/Physical Education-Professional.” |
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