Online Program Accreditation and Disclosures
Online Programs
Springfield College is an institutional participant in the SARA initiative. SARA participating institutions must meet certain requirements to ensure appropriate protection for students by increasing the quality and value of higher education credentials earned through distance education programs.
For Massachusetts Residents and Online Students in Non-SARA Member States and Territories
After you have exhausted the complaint procedures made available by Springfield College, by using one of the required documents as appropriate: “Academic Grievance Form” or “Non-academic Grievance Form,” if your complaint has not been resolved, you may file a consumer complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education by using their consumer complaint form. The DHE consumer complaint form should be used by students who are located in:
- Massachusetts
- Non-SARA Member States or Territories (e.g., California, Guam, etc.)
For Online Students Located in SARA Member States and Territories
After you have exhausted the complaint procedures made available by Springfield College, by using one of the required documents as appropriate: “Academic Grievance Form” or “Non-academic Grievance Form,” if your complaint has not been resolved, you may file a complaint with the DHE by using the SARA complaint form. The DHE SARA complaint form should be used by students who are located in SARA member states and territories. This includes all students who are located in SARA member states and territories for the purposes of completing out-of-state learning placements, such as internships, practica, clinical experiences, etc. in SARA member states and territories outside Massachusetts.
Additional information from the DHE’s SARA complaint website is below:
The SARA complaint process is as follows:
- Students must first attempt to resolve their complaint using internal administrative procedures offered by the SARA institution.
- After all administrative remedies have been exhausted with the MA-SARA institution, the student may submit a SARA Complaint via the URL below.
- The Department shall send a copy of the complaint to the institution that is the subject of the complaint;
- Within 30 days of the date that the Department sends a copy of the complaint to the institution, the institution must provide a written response to the student and the Department.
Learn more about DHE’s complaint processes.
Professional Licensure Disclosures
Springfield College offers several programs leading to professional licensure within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. States and other jurisdictions vary in what professions they require to be licensed or certified. Professional licensure and certification requirements and functions vary from state to state.
State Authorization
Springfield College is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership allows us to provide distance learning programs (both online and in the form of supervised field experiences) and coursework to residents of U.S. states, districts, and territories beyond Massachusetts. NC-SARA membership does not grant reciprocity or exempt students from state professional licensing requirements. As a result, licensing requirements in Massachusetts may not be recognized as sufficient to obtain a license in any other state.
Relocation
Should a student relocate during the course of a program to another state, it may impact the student’s ability to remain in the program, meet the state licensure requirements and/or continue to receive financial aid funding. Prior to considering relocation, please contact your program director to discuss authorization and licensure eligibility requirements. Because licensing requirements vary, relocating to another state during the course of a program could impact whether or not you meet that state’s requirements. If you are considering a move to another state, please contact the appropriate licensing agency for professional licensure eligibility requirements.
International Students
Prior to enrolling in any program at Springfield College, prospective students living and/or working outside of the United States should confirm with the appropriate certifying agency whether successful completion of any degree program at Springfield College will meet the credentialing requirements of the country in which they intend to seek employment, as to certain types of employment or for advanced/specialized educational programs.
Licensing Disclosures
The curricula for programs customarily leading to licensure or certification at Springfield College have been designed to meet licensure/certification requirements as well as prepare students to apply for licensure exams in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Completion of an academic degree program at Springfield College does not guarantee employment or licensure in a field or profession. Many licensure boards require more than successful degree completion to obtain a license. Please be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time. Whereas a program may originally meet the educational requirements for licensure, changes made by a state licensing agency could affect the program’s ability to meet any new requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to check with the licensing board(s) in their state of residence or in the state in which they intend to obtain a license for the most recent information and requirements.
The licensure boards in each state are responsible for establishing the requirements for licensure/certification for their state. Students who intend to seek licensure or certification in any state other than Massachusetts need to review the professional licensure disclosures pertaining to their program and consult with that state’s professional licensing board. State professional licensing boards make the ultimate decision as to whether or not an individual will be eligible to sit for licensure within their state.
Students should review the specific academic requirements for the program in which they are enrolling, including those related to practicum/internship, and pre-qualifications for licensure or certification, such as the need for a criminal background check. Some state laws require a criminal background check, the results of which may disqualify an individual from obtaining licensure. Field experience sites also generally require background checks before accepting students for field work, a practicum, or internship opportunity. It is your responsibility to determine if your own background checks may pose any barriers. It is highly recommended that students contact the applicable licensure board(s) in their state of residence or in the state where they intend to obtain a license before beginning an academic program that results in licensure and prior to beginning any internship/practicum.
Springfield College shall not be held liable if the student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction or cannot obtain a practicum/internship location.
Springfield College Programs Customarily Leading to Licensure or Certification
Please click on the links below to view program-specific information regarding professional licensure. This will indicate the states for which the institution has determined that its curriculum meets state licensure or certification requirements, the states for which the institution has determined that its curriculum does not meet state licensure or certification requirements, and states for which the institution has not made a determination that its curriculum meets state licensure or certification requirements. For these purposes, states include the District of Columbia and the US protectorates, as defined in 34 CFR §600.2.
Art Therapy/Counseling (Graduate)
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| X |
States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: States have various licensure requirements.
Accreditation: The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) for all states
Comments: States have various licensure requirements. Mass requries LMHC. Some state require Career Counseling: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona. Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Oowa, Kansa, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont. Some states require additional internship hours: Alaska, Florida, Indiana and Maine. Alaska and Arkansas require Family Art Therapy; Arkansas also requires Psychopharmacology.
Athletic Training
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| X |
States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California (not regulated by the state), Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York (registration), North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina (certification), Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Accreditation: Commission on Accredidation of Athletic Training Education 2026-2027
Counseling - Mental Health Counseling
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| All states and DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Island |
Counseling - Rehabilitation Counseling
States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: Nationally- CRC is a National Certificate
Accreditation: Counseling Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs 2025
Counseling - School Counseling
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| X | X |
States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: Programs satisfy the state requirements for teacher licensure per the NASDTEC interstate agreement. A school counseling license can be obtained in these states but individuals must take and pass all required state specific teacher tests. Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
States where our curriculum will not satisfy licensure requirements: Specific school counseling requirements must be met in these states: Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington.
Accreditation: Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for Educator Preparation Programs 2024-2025
Comments: See https://www.nasdtec.net/page/InterstateAgreements for state by state information.
Contact information for professional licensure contacts in other states: https://nbcc.org/search/stateboarddirectory
Occupational Therapy
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| X |
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association
Physical Therapy
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| X |
States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: ALL 50 STATES, 1 FEDERAL DISTRICT, AND 5 MAJOR TERRITORIES: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa (does not regulate PT), Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam (does not regulate PT), Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education 2022
Comments: The curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following:
CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.
Physician Assistant
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| X |
States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: ALL 50 STATES, 1 FEDERAL DISTRICT, AND 5 MAJOR TERRITORIES: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Accreditation: Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc
Psychology - PsyD Program
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| X |
States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: Massachusetts
Accreditation: American Psychological Association 2023
Comments: The Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program (PsyD) is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). Requirements for licensure as a psychologist vary from state to state, and can include additional examinations (such as the EPPP and a state-specific examination), background checks, additional experience, and fees. State boards evaluate each applicant individually to determine eligibility and make the final determination regarding licensure. Information about licensure requirements in the various states may be found at the website of the ASPPB.
Social Work
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| X |
States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa (Does not regulate SW)
Accreditation: Council on Social Work Accreditation
Comments: The Department of Graduate Social Work has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. American Samoa does not regulate SW
Speech Language Pathology, UC
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| All states and DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands |
Contact information for professional licensure information, by state: https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/state-and-territory-information/
Sport Management and Recreation
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| X |
Accreditation: Recreation Management Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions 2023
Teacher Preparation Programs
| Meets | Does Not Meet | Not Yet Determined |
|---|---|---|
| X | X |
States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: For all of the states listed below our approved teacher preparation programs satisfy the state requirements for teacher licensure per the NASDTEC interstate agreement. Go to this link for state by state information: https://www.nasdtec.net/page/InterstateAgreements. In most cases, in these states a teaching license can be obtained, but individuals must take and pass all required state specific teacher tests. Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,Delaware, Dept. of Defense Education Activity (DODEA), District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
States where our curriculum will not satisfy licensure requirements: For the following states, the teacher preparation requirements that are specific to these states must be met. New Mexico, New York, South Dakota.
Accreditation: Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for Educator Preparation Programs 2024-2025
Comments: Go to this link for state by state information: https://www.nasdtec.net/page/InterstateAgreements
Programs Not Listed
If you have questions regarding any program not listed here, please contact our team. For graduate programs, please contact Graduate Admissions, who can assist you in identifying additional licensure information. For undergraduate programs, contact the Office of Academic Affairs.
Additional Disclosures for NC-SARA
I. Requirements
II. Institutional Designation and Affirmation
III. Affirmations and Assurances
V. Additional Information
1. Copy of the institution's student complaint procedure
2. Copy of the notice that will be sent to enrolling students regarding the institution's student complaint procedure in accordance with 610 CMR 12.03(1)(h). For renewing institutions, please also provide a redacted copy of a Student Complaint Notice sent to a student in the previous year.
Notice Sent to Enrolling Students:
"We are very pleased that you have chosen to study online at Springfield College, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with students from all over the U.S. Our goal is to provide you with a high-quality online educational experience to maximize your success and your enjoyment of learning with us.
For any general questions or concerns about online learning at Springfield College, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@springfield.edu or (413) 748-3959.
Springfield College has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education courses and programs. Springfield College is required under SARA to provide you with information for how to file a complaint. To learn about the college’s complaint procedures for online students and the DHE’s SARA Complaint procedure for students located in SARA states, please visit https://springfield.edu/about/accreditation. We wish you the best as you continue your academic career with Springfield College!"
- Redacted Copy of Notice Sent to a Student: (Provided directly to MADHE)
3. For institutions offering courses of programs that customarily lead to professional licensure (either via distance education instruction, or by placing students in out of state learning placements), the URL where the institution's general disclosures are posted, and copies of the direct disclosure templates that will be sent to inquiring/enrolling students as applicable, pursuant to 610 CMR 12.03(2).
- Direct Disclosure if program "Does Not Meet": (Provided directly to MADHE)
- Direct Disclosure if "No Determination Yet": (Provided directly to MADHE)
4. Copy of the institution's disaster recovery plan, which shall include the institution's procedures for safeguarding student records in the event of institutional closure.
- Springfield College Disaster Recovery Plan: (Provided directly to MADHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education's Considerations When Closing an Institution of Higher Education
- NECHE's Teach-Out Plans and Agreements
- Massachusetts Department of Higher Education's Closure Guidelines
5. List of institution's academic offerings (programs of study/degree programs) that the institution intends to offer pursuant to SARA
6. Documentation of the institution's tuition refund policy
7. Documentation of the institution's Federal Financial Responsibility Composite Score calculated within the past year, e.g., a copy of a letter from US-DOE or an online published score from US-DOE.
VI. Optional Additional Information
1. Significant institutional changes relevant to this renewal application e.g., changes to course/program offerings such as new or closed courses/programs, changes in institutional accreditation status with regard to distance (online) education or other matters, changes in the institution's or its corporate parent/owner's FFRCS score, contacts and/or personnel changes, address changes, operational plans for future online course/program development, etc.
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