Education, Equity, and Social Justice
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Admissions Contact
Graduate Admissions |
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Program Contact
Olya Clark |
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Curriculum and Delivery
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Start Date and Duration
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Career Opportunities
The fieldwork component provides pre-service teachers with a rigorous, school-based teacher preparation program leading to Vermont licensure. Graduates of the MEd in Education, Equity, and Social Justice will go on to make an impact as social change agents in their positions as teachers, administrators and coordinators. Positions graduates of the program might apply for are:
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Upcoming Events
Tips and Pointers for Applying to Graduate School |
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Students in this program must be approved to work with the Spark Teacher Education Institute before they can apply and be accepted into the program.
The MEd in Education, Equity, and Social Justice at Springfield College promotes career advancement and/or provides advanced academic training for individuals employed or planning to seek employment as educators in K-12 settings. The curriculum promotes an understanding of self and others in conjunction with the development of the skills, knowledge, critical thinking, and compassion required for creating an equitable and engaging learning environment for diverse learners. The focus of the program is teaching for social justice. The curriculum emphasizes the pedagogy of creating and managing democratic classrooms, building community within the classroom, teaching through authentic experiences, and teaching for social responsibility.
A maximum of 12 credits of graduate coursework, not taken for credit within a degree-granting program, may be transferred and applied to the MEd in Education, Equity, and Social Justice program.
The graduate program in Education, Equity, and Social Justice supports the mission of Springfield College, which is to “educate the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.” The central philosophy of educational equity and achieving social justice through community engagement and applied practice is strongly aligned with the Humanics philosophy of the College. Students and alumni of the program will be uniquely poised to lead and serve in their schools and communities.
Students will complete their Education, Equity, and Social Justice courses while they are completing their one year studentship with Spark. At the end of the year, they will have earned their MEd in Education, Equity and Social Justice as well as be qualified to apply for Vermont teacher certification.
How to Apply:
Admissions Requirements
- Complete the online application: Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials and instructions for submitting supplemental materials as listed below. Students in this program must be approved to work with the Spark Teacher Education Institute before they can apply and be accepted into the program.
- Essay: In two to three double-spaced pages, please describe significant life experiences that have contributed to your interest in your field, your understanding of this field, your occupational objectives, and why you have chosen Springfield College.
- Resume: Please include any college activities, out-of-school leadership experiences, work history, and community involvement to support your interest in or qualifications for graduate study.
- Two letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or direct supervisor: Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.
- Spark Teacher Education Institute Documentation: Documentation showing proof of work with the Spark Teacher Education Institute is required at the time of application. Please contact Maresa Nielson at maresa.nielson@gmail.com to acquire this documentation.
- Transcripts: An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu or mailed to the college address:
Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as space is available.
About Our Partnership
Spark Teacher Education Institute (Spark) is a program of the nonprofit Educational Praxis. Spark currently offers a licensure program in Teaching for Social Justice in the state of Vermont. Spark is a rigorous, field-based, teacher preparation program leading to licensure in the candidate’s chosen endorsement area. The program strives to instill an understanding of self and others in conjunction with the development of skills, knowledge, critical thinking, and compassion required for creating an equitable and engaging learning environment for diverse learners.
Students spend a full year in a school setting while completing course work and participating in integrated seminars. Upon successful completion of the program, students are qualified to apply for a Vermont teacher certification.
Spark focuses on teaching for social justice. The curriculum emphasizes the pedagogy of creating and managing democratic classrooms, building community within the classroom, teaching through authentic experiences, and teaching for social responsibility. The curriculum is integrated and contextualized in the analysis of historical and current issues.
Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the program. The student acquires both theory and skills through practical experience in the schoolroom, combined with analysis and discussion in seminars with faculty and peers. This work is highly collaborative in nature.
