About This Program

Admissions Contact

Danielle Clough
Senior Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
dclough@springfield.edu
(413) 748-3729

Program Contact

Eileen Cyr
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Education
(413) 748-3312
ecyr@springfield.edu

 

Students may opt to pursue licensure only.

The Office of Educator Prep and Licensure can help answer your teaching license questions.

Upcoming Events

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Our post-baccalaureate secondary education concentration can prepare you for the initial teaching license from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the content area of your bachelor’s degree. We offer flexible scheduling to meet your needs, so you’ll be able to graduate in one to two years ready to work in regular and alternative school settings.

Inquiry-based teaching methods, standards-based curriculum development, and team-building strategies that enhance relationships with individual, groups, and families are the cornerstones of our program, which also features a year-long residency in a local secondary or middle school classroom. Coursework is designed to help educators address the complex social and emotional environments of their learners as they begin their transition to adulthood.

A prerequisite for this program is a bachelor’s degree in math, English, political science, history, chemistry, biology, earth science, visual arts, or a related field.

Already working in the Springfield Public Schools? Apply for the S-Cubed program, a partnership between the Springfield Public Schools and Springfield College, and earn your degree for less!

Admissions Requirements

This program enrolls students in all terms.

  • Education Requirements

    • Each course has a field-based component (this is usually 15-20 hours a week in a school).
    • transcript review of undergraduate and any prior graduate work is required prior to admission.

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

CORE Research Requirements for Master of Education (M.Ed) (5-6 credits)

Secondary Education (5 - 8) (8 - 12) licensure track

The Graduate Level Initial Licensure Program in Secondary Education prepares middle and high school teachers to create learning environments that support young people in their transition to adulthood. The program offers a combination of courses that will lead to the Initial license in one of the following content areas: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, General Science, English, History, Mathematics, and Social Sciences. All students entering the program will be required to meet the subject matter knowledge requirements stated in the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education licensure regulations.

It is recommended that students in this graduate level initial licensure program have experience working in an educational environment. Pre-practicum and practicum experiences are embedded throughout the curriculum.

The interdisciplinary nature of the graduate level initial licensure program courses provide a wider frame of reference for the students as they develop a foundation in the theoretical, historical, social and political foundations of education. Faculty teaching courses within this program will use the field experience of the students to deepen the students’ understanding of behavior management; reading strategies for content area learning; teaching methods; curriculum design; assessment and evaluation; inclusion of all students; special education; and engaging families and communities.

Prerequisites: 
A Bachelor’s degree in (1) a content area appropriate to the license sought and (2) a course in child development.  A transcript review will determine whether there are additional prerequisites.

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure Required:
All students in the Secondary Graduate Initial Licensure Program are required to pass the following exams:

  • Communication and Literacy Exam (prior to practicum)
  • Content exam appropriate to license sought (prior to practicum)

1. Track requirements (24 credits)

2. Elective requirements

Students must work with their academic advisor to select elective courses to total 32 credits to meet program requirements.

View the catalog.

APPLY ONLINE

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis prior to the start of the intended term of entry.

Priority deadlines are as follows:

  • April 15 for summer (May) entry
  • July 15 for fall (September) entry
  • December 1 for spring (January) entry

All required supporting materials are due as follows:

  • May 1 for summer (May) entry
  • August 1 for fall (September) entry
  • January 1 for spring (January) entry

Fellowships & Scholarships

Let us help you make your graduate education as affordable as possible.

Student Employment

Work on our campus to earn money while pursuing your graduate degree.

AmeriCorps

Make a lasting impact on students' lives while helping to fund your education