Physical Education: Professional Licensure

About This Program
	The Office of Educator Prep and Licensure can help answer your teaching license questions.
	Admissions Contact Rachel Ahlmeyer Graduate Recruiter and Admissions Coordinator School of Physical Education, Performance, and Sport Leadership rahlmeyer@springfieldcollege.edu (413) 748-3383 Make an appointment
	Contact Kathy Mangano Graduate Coordinator Department of Physical Education and Health Education (413) 748-3147 kmangano@springfield.edu Valerie Annear Director of Educator Preparation and Licensure Office of Educator Prep and Licensure (413) 748-3146 vannear@springfield.edu
	Upcoming Events Virtual Information Session Thursday, April 6, 6-6:30 p.m. ET Register

The Springfield College physical education advanced pedagogy program enables experienced physical education teachers who hold an initial license to earn a Master of Science degree or Master of Education degree. Upon completion of the program, students will have met the Massachusetts educational requirements for professional licensure, which all teachers must obtain within five years of starting the timeline on their initial licensure.

Recognizing the needs of physical educators, the program is both flexible and rigorous. Students may choose to engage in the program full-time or part-time and may start in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Working teachers benefit from evening and summer courses. Within the curriculum, a 12-credit core focuses on critical components of the field, including instructional models and culturally relevant pedagogy. Beyond the core, students work closely with an academic advisor to select courses that meet their individual academic, professional, and personal needs.

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Rachel Tavares G'21

Student Spotlight

"Springfield College was the right choice for me because I felt a sense of belonging the moment I stepped foot on campus. It is a welcoming environment with the most genuine and helpful student body and faculty members.The Department of Physical Education and Health Education and the physical education advanced pedagogy program have helped me to gain new knowledge, relationships, and further develop as a physical educator and as a person. I will forever be grateful for my experiences at Springfield College."

Adam Constantilos, G'21

Student Spotlight

"When I realized that transferring to Springfield College was an option for me it felt like there really was no other school that matched my career goals so well. Springfield was the only college I even seriously considered, mainly because of its reputation for physical education. Throughout my time as an undergraduate in the physical education program, I developed the skillset necessary to go out and get the job I always wanted. As a graduate student employed as an elementary physical education teacher, I was able to immediately apply what we were working on to my profession and make a difference for real students every day. The number one thing that stood out to me throughout my time at Springfield was that I always had a professor, advisor, or graduate assistant who I could turn to for advice. I felt they made an effort to accommodate me as a student with a full-time job, father of a young child, and a commuter."

Admissions Requirements

This program enrolls students in all terms.

Complete the application form. No application fee.

Start your application process by completing the online application form. Be sure to complete your application by submitting all the required materials outlined in this section.

Graduate Admissions Essay

Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials. Once you login to your application portal you'll be able to upload your 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. Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials. Once you login to your application portal you'll be able to upload your resume.

Letters of Recommendation

This program requires two letters of recommendation. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.

Official Transcripts from All Institutions Previously/Currently Attended

An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required.
Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. In some cases, including if you plan to request coursework be transferred, a course-by-course translation is required. For this we recommend the World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
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

International Applicants

All international applicants from non-English speaking countries are required, in addition to the items listed above, to submit:

Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS. Other tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our language requirements for more information on acceptable tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and conditional acceptance. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed college-level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations.

The staff in the Office of International Admissions can assist you with questions you may have about enrolling at Springfield College as an international student by emailing intladmissions@springfieldcollege.edu.

To submit materials:

After submitting your online application form you will receive user login credentials to access your student application portal. From that portal, you will be able to upload your graduate admissions essay and your resume. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload their letter to your application. 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

Curriculum

Sequence of Courses

(With an option to complete an approved Professional Licensure Program)

The master’s candidate may choose from the M.Ed., or the M.S. Degree (thesis required for this option). Each student must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours and Independent Study students must complete a minimum of 34 credit hours.

Prerequisites:

Physical Education Initial Teaching License.

A. Program requirements (12 credits)

PHED 660 - Advanced Instructional Strategies Credits: 3
PHED 629 - Curriculum Construction in Physical Education Credits: 3
or
PHED 663 - Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Credits: 3
PHED 670 - Supervision and Mentoring Credits: 3
PHED 680 - Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Physical Education Credits: 3

B. Research Core requirement (3 credits)

RSCH 610 - Foundations and Methods of Research Credits: 3

C. Individualized Program (11-18 credits)

Students must work with their academic advisor to select courses offered by the School of HPER. See the menus below to design the individualized program. All students must complete Physical Education Professional Licensure, 12-credit option paperwork. The 12-credit option is designed for licensed physical education teachers who are advancing their MA initial stage teaching license to a professional stage license. Students submit the following completed 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 here as well as on the Educator Prep page.

D. Research requirement (4-9 credits)

1. Independent Study option (4 credits)

RSCH 625 - Independent Study Proposal Design Credits: 2
PHED 692 - Independent Study in Physical Education Credits: 2
and poster presentation.

2. Thesis option (9 credits)

RSCH 612 - Proposal Design Credits: 2
RSCH 615 - Qualitative Research Methodology Credits: 3
or
RSCH 620 - Educational and Psychological Statistics I Credits: 3
RSCH 635 - Thesis Credits: 4-12
(must register for 4 credits to meet program requirements.)

E. Degree Information

Candidates in the Physical Education Advanced Pedagogy - Professional Licensure program are eligible for the M.Ed. or M.S. degree in accordance with Plan A or Plan B as described in the Degree Requirements section under Academic Policies and Procedures.

View the catalog.

Deadline

APPLY ONLINE

Priority Deadlines are as follows: