Physical Education: Initial Licensure

About This Program
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	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
	Program Contacts 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
	The Office of Educator Prep and Licensure can help answer your teaching license questions.
	View the career outcomes
	Upcoming Events Virtual Information Session Thursday, April 6, 6-6:30 p.m. ET Register

The Springfield College physical education teacher licensure program is one of the few in the country to offer both a master’s degree as well as initial licensure.

The program, which can be completed in two to three years, is perfect for students who have earned their 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 allows graduate students to qualify for initial licensure at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Through graduate-level content courses and prerequisites that can be taken concurrently with graduate courses, students gain knowledge and prepare for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure. In methods courses embedded with sequential field-based experiences starting in the first semester, students become more confident and competent teachers. The culminating experience for the program is a full semester student teaching placement. Career outcomes include placements as physical education teachers in grades PreK-12.

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Eric Arabian G'23

Student Spotlight

"Springfield College was absolutely the right choice for me. As a parent, coach, and current professional in my field, I feel as though my advisor and professors have really gone the extra mile to ensure my success in the teacher-licensure program: from course scheduling to academic support, I know that there are always people looking out for me and I could not be more thankful!"

Melissa Gramuglia G'13

Alum Spotlight

"I was definitely nervous about coming into graduate school. I have a Bachelor of Science in athletic training, and my senior year of college I decided that it wasn't something I saw myself making a lifetime career out of. I looked into teaching Physical Education due to the overlap of knowledge, and found Springfield College to have one of the best programs. If I want to be the best, I'm going to learn from the best. I thrived in the "all-in" approach. While challenging, it was the best way for me to learn. Getting into the schools and teaching provides the most real-world experience you can get! I am so much more effective in professional reflection and adjusting lessons because of it."

Admissions Requirements

This program enrolls students in the fall and spring terms only.

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

Physical Education Teacher - Initial Licensure concentration

Sequence of Courses

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

Anatomy & Physiology I and II (BIOL 130, 132, 131, 133)
Physiology of Exercise (AEXS 313)
Kinesiology (AEXS 319)
Performance Assessment (MOST 410)
Psychology or Sociology of Sport (MOST 328 or 428 or PHED 658)
First Aid & CPR Certification

Skills and Techniques - 6 credits from the list below

PEPC Fitness for Life (1 credit)
Choose 2 credits from the following selectives:
- basketball, volleyball, track and field, educational gymnastics, target games, striking games, territorial and invasion games, racket, net and wall games.
Aquatics
WSI or Lifeguard (1 credit)
Swimming
PEAC 205
PEAC 206
PEAC 104
PEAC 115

Outdoor/Leisure
Outdoor Adventure (.5 credits)
Movement Across Categories
Skill Themes and Movement Concepts (.5 credit)
A transcript review will determine if additional prerequistes are required

A. Program requirements (21 credits)

EDUC 628 - Sheltered English Immersion Instruction Across the Curriculum Credits: 3
MOST 624 - Motor Learning and Control Credits: 3
PHED 608 - Programming in Adapted Physical Education Credits: 3
PHED 620 - Philosophy of Sport Credits: 3
PHED 629 - Curriculum Construction in Physical Education Credits: 3
PHED 635 - Motor Development and Analysis Credits: 3
PHED 675 - Legal Issues in Physical Education and Athletics Credits: 3

B. Pedagogy requirements (12 credits)

PHED 636 - Elementary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: Grades K-2 Credits: 1.5
PHED 637 - Elementary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: Grades 3-5 Credits: 1.5
PHED 638 - Secondary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: Grades 6-8 Credits: 1.5
PHED 639 - Secondary Physical Education Methods and Pre-Practicum: Grades 9-12 Credits: 1.5
PHED 684 - Physical Education (PreK-8) Practicum and Seminar Credits: 2-6
Note: Students must take a minimum of 2 credits in this course up to a maximum of 6 credits
PHED 689 - Physical Education (5-12) Practicum and Seminar Credits: 6-Feb
Note: Students must take a minimum of 2 credits in this course up to a maximum of 6 credits

Also, the Practicum Experience (PHED 684 and/or PHED 689) must total a minimum of 6 credits to meet program requirements

C. Research Core requirement (3 credits)

RSCH 610 - Foundations and Methods of Research Credits: 3

D. Research requirements (4-9 credits)

1. 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.)

Note: Students completing a thesis will take an oral examination on their research and qualify for the M.S. or M.Ed. degree.

2. Independent Study option (4 credits)

PHED 692 - Independent Study in Physical Education Credits: 2
RSCH 625 - Independent Study Proposal Design Credits: 2
Note: Students must pass the Poster Presentation in order to qualify for the M.Ed. degree.

E. Degree Information

Candidates in the Physical Education Teacher - Initial 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. Students must complete a minimum of 37 credit hours.

View the catalog.

Deadline

APPLY ONLINE

Priority deadlines are as follows: