School of Human Services at Springfield College

C. Education Concentration

The Education Concentration enables adults to explore the field of education, focus on education as an avenue for change, gain a broad range of subject matter knowledge, and earn a bachelor's degree while working full-time. The adult-centered program offers opportunities to explore ways to make education the way we want it to be. The course work will help to prepare students to pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensing (MTEL) in Communication and Literacy and Elementary Subject Matter.

Goals are to provide:
  • Access to the educational field for non-traditional adult learners
  • Excellence in preparation to enter a licensing program after graduation
  • Opportunities to expand and deepen students' views of the diverse world
Graduation Requirements
  • Students must earn 120 credits to graduate. Of those credits, 48 must be taken at Springfield College (residency requirement).
  • Students must complete all three levels of required courses:
    1. All College Requirements (ACRs) -- see Table C.1 below
    2. SHS requirements
    3. Education Concentration requirements (Minimum 18 credits taken in residence)
  • Group Project must focus on an educational issue
All College Requirements

There are nine ACRs. They can be met by any ACR course, transferred or in residence. Some ACRs can be met by required Educational Studies Courses.
Table C. 1 -- ACRs
Lab Science 3 credits
Computer Science 3 credits
Math 3 credits
Health 3 credits
Fitness 4 credits
Language and Communication 3 credits
Language and Communication 3 credits
Literature 3 credits
Philosophy or Religion 3 credits
Total 28 credits


SHS Requirements

  • Education Concentration students must meet all SHS course requirements as shown below.
Table C.2 -- SHS Requirements
-- must be taken in residence at Springfield College
Core I -- Education, Oppression, and Social Intervention (US History) 4 credits
Core II -- Mobilizing Resources, Political Economy 4 credits
Core III -- Social Movements (US History) 4 credits
Human Services Portfolio Development (HSPD) - (can be waived) 3 credits
Issues in Research 3 credits
Group Project I 4 credits
Group Project II 4 credits
Group Project III 4 credits
Senior Seminar 2 credits
Total 32 credits


Education Concentration students:
  • Must choose a group project topic that is education-related
  • Should take the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensing (MTEL) if they plan to be licensed in Massachusetts
  • Should take the Praxis test if they plan to be licensed in Connecticut

Education Concentration Courses

Education students must take or transfer all of the following courses
Child Development 3 credits
Math for Educators 3 credits
Earth and Physical Science 3 credits
Geography in a Changing World 3 credits
Integrating Art in the Curriculum 3 credits
World History 3 credits
Writing Skills (Lang & Comm ACR) 3 credits
College Algebra (Math ACR) 3 credits
Education and Meaning (Phil ACR) 3 credits
Introduction to World Literature (Lit ACR) 3 credits
Human Biology (Science ACR) 3 credits
Politics of Education 3 credits
Total 36 credits


The remaining 24 credits can be earned in any area to give a grand total of 120 credits.

The education concentration alone does not qualify graduates for licensing. Students who are successful in the program and who pass the communication and literacy MTEL, are eligible for post baccalaureate professional preparation programs. (Review the memo of understanding.)


Portfolio Development Process

The School of Human Services offers students the opportunity to validate college-level knowledge acquired outside of the classroom. Through its portfolio development process, the School of Human Services provides a framework to assist students in reflecting upon and articulating their college level experiential learning.

A portfolio is a written document that articulates knowledge equivalent to that taught in a college course. A three-credit course has been developed to help students:
  • Identify,
  • Organize,
  • Categorize, and
  • Present this knowledge in a portfolio.
The writing of a portfolio requires a substantial commitment of time and effort. It is both a process and a product. The awareness of individual achievement and the potential of receiving college credit for experiential learning, provides the student with:
  • Savings of both time and money, and
  • Allows the opportunity to present diverse college-level learning in a coherent document.
Springfield College 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109-3797 413.748.3000
Copyright © 2008-2009 Springfield College. All rights reserved worldwide.
Site design and production: Office of Marketing & Communications.
Page updated on: 03/24/2008