Accreditation

Springfield College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by NECHE should be directed to the Springfield College accreditation liaison, Elizabeth Morgan, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, at emorgan2@springfield.edu.

Individuals may also contact: New England Commission of Higher Education, 1 Edgewater Place, Suite 210, (781) 425-7785 or info@neche.org.

Programs Specific Accreditations

Applied Exercise Science (Undergraduate)

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Applied Exercise Science: Strength and Conditioning Concentration (Undergraduate)

Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Art Therapy (Graduate)

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Athletic Training (Graduate)

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Business Management (Undergraduate)

International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Clinical Exercise Physiology (Graduate)

Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Counseling

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

Learn More About the Programs Learn More About the Accreditation

Educator Preparation Programs

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for Educator Preparation Programs

Learn More About the Programs Learn More About the Accreditation

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Training

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS)

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Occupational Therapy

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (accredited) and OTD (granted candidacy status)

Learn More About the MSOT Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Learn More About the OTD Program

Physical Therapy

The Physical Therapy Program at Springfield College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. The program’s current status is probationary accreditation; for more information see http://www.capteonline.org/about-capte/recent-actions-and-updates/recent-actions. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (413) 748-3841 or email cpeters-brinkerhoff@davidegalliani.com.

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Physician Assistant Studies

Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Psychology – PsyD (Graduate)

American Psychological Association

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Recreation Industries and Therapeutic Recreation: Recreation Professional Studies (Undergraduate)

Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Sport Management – (Undergraduate)

Candidacy Status by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Strength and Conditioning – (Graduate)

Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Social Work

Council on Social Work Education

Learn More About the Program Learn More About the Accreditation

Online Programs

Springfield College is an institutional participant in the SARA initiative. SARA participating institutions must meet certain requirements to ensure appropriate protection for students by increasing the quality and value of higher education credentials earned through distance education programs.

For Massachusetts Residents and Online Students in Non-SARA Member States and Territories

Massachusetts
Non-SARA Member States or Territories (e.g., California, Guam, etc.)

For Online Students Located in SARA Member States and Territories

After you have exhausted the complaint procedures made available by Springfield College, by using one of the required documents as appropriate: “Academic Grievance Form” or “Non-academic Grievance form”, if your complaint has not been resolved, you may file a complaint with the DHE by using the SARA complaint form. The DHE SARA complaint form should be used by students who are located in SARA member states and territories. This includes all students who are located in SARA member states and territories for the purposes of completing out-of-state learning placements, such as internships, practica, clinical experiences, etc. in SARA member states and territories outside Massachusetts.

Additional information from the DHE’s SARA complaint website is below:

The SARA complaint process is as follows:

Students must first attempt to resolve their complaint using internal administrative procedures offered by the SARA institution.
After all administrative remedies have been exhausted with the MA-SARA institution, the student may submit a SARA Complaint via the URL below.
The Department shall send a copy of the complaint to the institution that is the subject of the complaint;
Within 30 days of the date that the Department sends a copy of the complaint to the institution, the institution must provide a written response to the student and the Department.

Learn ore about DHE’s complaint processes.

Professional Licensure Disclosures

Springfield College offers several programs leading to professional licensure within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. States and other jurisdictions vary in what professions they require to be licensed or certified. Professional licensure and certification requirements and functions vary from state to state.

State Authorization

Springfield College is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership allows us to provide distance learning programs (both online and in the form of supervised field experiences) and coursework to residents of U.S. states, districts, and territories beyond Massachusetts. NC-SARA membership does not grant reciprocity or exempt students from state professional licensing requirements. As a result, licensing requirements in Massachusetts may not be recognized as sufficient to obtain a license in any other state.

Relocation

Should a student relocate during the course of a program to another state, it may impact the student’s ability to remain in the program, meet the state licensure requirements and/or continue to receive financial aid funding. Prior to considering relocation, please contact your program director to discuss authorization and licensure eligibility requirements. Because licensing requirements vary, relocating to another state during the course of a program could impact whether or not you meet that state’s requirements. If you are considering a move to another state, please contact the appropriate licensing agency for professional licensure eligibility requirements.

International Students

Prior to enrolling in any program at Springfield College, prospective students living and/or working outside of the United States should confirm with the appropriate certifying agency whether successful completion of any degree program at Springfield College will meet the credentialing requirements of the country in which they intend to seek employment, as to certain types of employment or for advanced/specialized educational programs.

Licensing Disclosures

The curricula for programs customarily leading to licensure or certification at Springfield College have been designed to meet licensure/certification requirements as well as prepare students to apply for licensure exams in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Completion of an academic degree program at Springfield College does not guarantee employment or licensure in a field or profession. Many licensure boards require more than successful degree completion to obtain a license. Please be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time. Whereas a program may originally meet the educational requirements for licensure, changes made by a state licensing agency could affect the program’s ability to meet any new requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to check with the licensing board(s) in their state of residence or in the state in which they intend to obtain a license for the most recent information and requirements.

The licensure boards in each state are responsible for establishing the requirements for licensure/certification for their state. Students who intend to seek licensure or certification in any state other than Massachusetts need to review the professional licensure disclosures pertaining to their program and consult with that state’s professional licensing board. State professional licensing boards make the ultimate decision as to whether or not an individual will be eligible to sit for licensure within their state.

Students should review the specific academic requirements for the program in which they are enrolling, including those related to practicum/internship, and pre-qualifications for licensure or certification, such as the need for a criminal background check. Some state laws require a criminal background check, the results of which may disqualify an individual from obtaining licensure. Field experience sites also generally require background checks before accepting students for field work, a practicum, or internship opportunity. It is your responsibility to determine if your own background checks may pose any barriers. It is highly recommended that students contact the applicable licensure board(s) in their state of residence or in the state where they intend to obtain a license before beginning an academic program that results in licensure and prior to beginning any internship/practicum.

Springfield College shall not be held liable if the student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction or cannot obtain a practicum/internship location.

Springfield College Programs Customarily Leading to Licensure or Certification

Please click on the links below to view program-specific information regarding professional licensure. This will indicate the states for which the institution has determined that its curriculum meets state licensure or certification requirements, the states for which the institution has determined that its curriculum does not meet state licensure or certification requirements, and states for which the institution has not made a determination that its curriculum meets state licensure or certification requirements. For these purposes, states include the District of Columbia and the US protectorates, as defined in 34 CFR §600.2.

Programs Not Listed
If you have questions regarding any program not listed here, please contact our team. For graduate programs, please contact Graduate Admissions, who can assist you in identifying additional licensure information. For undergraduate programs, contact the Office of Academic Affairs.

Art Therapy/Counseling (Graduate)

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
		X

States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: States have various licensure requirements.

Accreditation: The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) for all states

Comments: States have various licensure requirements. Mass requries LMHC. Some state require Career Counseling: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona. Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Oowa, Kansa, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont. Some states require additional internship hours: Alaska, Florida, Indiana and Maine. Alaska and Arkansas require Family Art Therapy; Arkansas also requires Psychopharmacology.

Athletic Training

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
		X

States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California (not regulated by the state), Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York (registration), North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina (certification), Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Accreditation: Commission on Accredidation of Athletic Training Education 2026-2027

Counseling - Mental Health Counseling

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
X

States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, Wisconsin

Counseling- Rehabilitation Counseling

Counseling - School Counseling

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
X	X

States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: Programs satisfy the state requirements for teacher licensure per the NASDTEC interstate agreement. A school counseling license can be obtained in these states but individuals must take and pass all required state specific teacher tests. Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

States where our curriculum will not satisfy licensure requirements: Specific school counseling requirements must be met in these states: Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington.

Accreditation: Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for Educator Preparation Programs 2024-2025

Comments: See http://www.nasdtec.net/page/InterstateAgreements for state by state information.

Teacher Preparation Programs

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
X	X

States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: For all of the states listed below our approved teacher preparation programs satisfy the state requirements for teacher licensure per the NASDTEC interstate agreement. Go to this link for state by state information: http://www.nasdtec.net/page/InterstateAgreements. In most cases, in these states a teaching license can be obtained, but individuals must take and pass all required state specific teacher tests. Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,Delaware, Dept. of Defense Education Activity (DODEA), District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

States where our curriculum will not satisfy licensure requirements: For the following states, the teacher preparation requirements that are specific to these states must be met. New Mexico, New York, South Dakota.

Accreditation: Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for Educator Preparation Programs 2024-2025

Comments: Go to this link for state by state information: http://www.nasdtec.net/page/InterstateAgreements

Emergency Medical Systems Management

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
		X

Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Professions/Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Management Professions 2023

Business Management

Medical Technology

Occupational Therapy

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
		X

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association

Physical Therapy

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
X

States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: ALL 50 STATES, 1 FEDERAL DISTRICT, AND 5 MAJOR TERRITORIES: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa (does not regulate PT), Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam (does not regulate PT), Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education 2022

Comments: The curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following:

CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.

Physician Assistant

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
X

States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: ALL 50 STATES, 1 FEDERAL DISTRICT, AND 5 MAJOR TERRITORIES: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Accreditation: Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc

Psychology - PsyD Program

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
		X

States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: Massachusetts

Accreditation: American Psychological Association 2023

Comments: The Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program (PsyD) is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). Requirements for licensure as a psychologist vary from state to state, and can include additional examinations (such as the EPPP and a state-specific examination), background checks, additional experience, and fees. State boards evaluate each applicant individually to determine eligibility and make the final determination regarding licensure. Information about licensure requirements in the various states may be found at the website of the ASPPB.

Sport Management and Recreation

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
		X

Accreditation: Recreation Management Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions 2023

Social Work

Meets	Does Not Meet	Not Yet Determined
		X

States where our curriculum will satisfy licensure requirements: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa (Does not regulate SW)

Accreditation: Council on Social Work Accreditation

Comments: The Department of Graduate Social Work has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. American Samoa does not regulate SW