Springfield College

​***The information on this site is provided by the participating universities and its accuracy is their sole responsibility***​​
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Springfield College is to educate the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.

​The Ph.D. program is designed to provide broad based preparation in the field of physical education and it offers students the opportunity to design a program of study to meet their educational goals. The intent of the program is to expose students to various sub-disciplines in the field from which they will build a specific area of research study. This preparation ensures a more holistic and inclusive view of physical education than is found in many programs where specialization in one area is the emphasis.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Graduates will have the necessary research expertise to continue as lifelong researchers and contributors to the body of knowledge in physical education. They will be prepared to teach in their research area as well as the various sub-disciplines at all educational levels. Graduates who have focused their studies in administration will be qualified to lead and develop programs in the private and public sectors. The completion of the program is viewed by the College as the first step taken by its graduates in assuming positions of leadership in the field of physical education.
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
Teaching:
  • Experiences align with their fellowship (undergraduate physical education methods courses, wellness and physical literacy courses, etc. In addition, experiences include field time, academic and social gatherings, research collaborations, and interactions with peers who have taught, coached, or led in a variety of settings.
  • Key to the structure of the doctoral program is the relationship to the bachelor's and master's programs in Physical Education and Athletic Administration. These programs are well-renowned and offer doctoral students opportunities to mentor, teach, and supervise student teachers while receiving guidance and feedback from a faculty member.
Scholarship:
  • AEXS​ 716 - Scholarly Writing - 2 credits
  • Research Courses - 25 credits including 14 credits for dissertation
Service:
  • Doctoral students are encouraged to get involved in service opportunities within and beyond the college (i.e. college and profession).
CORE COURSES
Degree Requirements (64 credits)

A. Required Courses (34 credits):
  • AEXS 716 - Scholarly writing
  • PHED 710 - Doctoral Seminar
  • PHED 715 - Instructional Effectiveness in Higher Education
  • PHED 718 - Seminar in Higher Education
  • RSCH 615 - Qualitative Research Methodology
  • RSCH 620 - Educational and Psychological Statistics I
  • RSCH 712 - Dissertation Proposal Design
  • RSCH 720 - Educational Psychology Statistics II
  • RSCH 735 - Doctoral Dissertation

B. Track Selectives (24 credits). Select 24 credits from the following list:
  • Students seeking a Physical Education Teacher Education track are recommended to take PHED 629, PHED 660, PHED 670, PHED 680, PHED 721, PHED 731, PHED 741, and MOST 624 or PHED 635.
  • Students seeking an Athletic Administration Track are recommended to take PHED 627, PHED 633, PHED 645, PHED 660, PHED 670, PHED 670, PHED 675, PHED 681, PHED 683, and PHED 686 (for 4 credits to meet program requirements).
  • Students seeking a General Studies track are recommended to select from MOST 624, PHED 627, PHED 629, PHED 633, PHED 635, PHED 645, PHED 660, PHED 670, PHED 675, PHED 680, PHED 683, PHED 686, PHED 721, PHED 731, and PHED 741.
  • MOST 624 - Motor Learning and Control
  • PHED 627 - Facility Design, Operation and Maintenance in Athletics
  • PHED 629 - Curriculum Construction in Physical Education
  • PHED 633 - Athletic Administration
  • PHED 635 - Motor Development and Analysis
  • PHED 645 - Finance in Athletics
  • PHED 660 - Advanced Instructional Strategies
  • PHED 670 - Supervision and Mentoring
  • PHED 675 - Legal Issues in Physical Education and Athletics
  • PHED 680 - Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Physical Education
  • PHED 681 - Inclusive and Critical Approaches to Sport
  • PHED 683 - Seminar in Athletic Leadership
  • PHED 686 - Graduate Field Experience
  • PHED 721 - Research on Teaching K-12 Physical Education
  • PHED 731 - Seminar in Physical Education Teacher Education
  • PHED 741 - Fieldwork in Physical Education Teacher Education

C. Cognate Studies (6 credits). Select 6 credits from one of the following areas/groups:

a. Adapted Physical Education
  • PHED 663 - Adapted Physical Education and Recreation
and one of the following:
  • PHED 612 - Adapted Physical Education Assessment and Implementation
  • AEXS 613 - Exercise for Special Populations

b. Health Promotion
  • HLTH 610 - Issues in Public Health and Health Promotion
  • HLTH 614 - Implementation & Sustainability of Community Health Programs

c. Legal and Ethical Dimensions
  • PHED 620 - Philosophy of Sport
and one of the following:
  • EDUC 620 - Higher Education Law
  • PHED 675 - Legal Issues in Physical Education and Athletics

d. Motor Behavior
Select two courses from the following list:
  • AEXS 604 - Neuromuscular Physiology and Exercise
  • MOST 624 - Motor Learning and Control
  • PHED 635 - Motor Development and Analysis

e. Physiological Mechanisms
  • AEXS 610 - Advanced Exercise Physiology
and one of the following:
  • AEXS 604 - Neuromuscular Physiology and Exercise
  • AEXS 606 - Environmental Physiology

f. Psychosocial Aspects
Select two courses from the following list:
  • PHED 658 - Sport in Society
  • AEXS 676 - Exercise Psychology
  • AEXS 678 - Sport Psychology
ADMISSIONS
Once admitted, doctoral students must complete the Doctoral Qualifying Exams - (content area and research) and Colloquium. Upon passing the qualifying written examinations and Colloquium, a student becomes a matriculated candidate for the doctoral degree.

Application and Supporting Materials Priority -Deadline: February 16 (rolling after on space available basis).
  • Complete the FREE online application: Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials and instructions for submitting supplemental materials as listed below.
  • 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.
  • Three letters of recommendation: Three letters of recommendation from a faculty member or direct supervisor: Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.
  • Interview: This program requires an interview.
  • Master's Degree: Completion of a master's degree is required. If your master's degree is in progress and will be completed by the end of your first year of PhD coursework, conditional acceptance may be possible.
  • Transcripts: An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to [email protected] or mailed to the college address: Springfield College, Office of Graduate Admissions, 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109.
FINANCIAL AIDE AND EMPLOYMENT
CONTACT INFORMATION
Department of Physical Education and Health Education (PEHE)
Springfield College
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109
PEHE Graduate Coordinator: Kathy Mangano, EdD
[email protected]
413-748-3147

​PEHE Department Chair: Michelle Moosbrugger, PhD
[email protected]
413-7483486