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Fast Facts 2008

PROFILE

Private, independent, coeducational four-year college offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

PRESIDENT

Richard B. Flynn, Ed.D.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Founded in 1885, Springfield College is known worldwide as The Birthplace of Basketball ^®, and for the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy and its mission of educating students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others. Located in scenic western Massachusetts, Springfield College’s foundation of academic excellence and rich athletic heritage gives students real-world leadership skills in transforming lives and communities. A range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered in the fields of health sciences, human and social services, sport management and movement studies, education, business, and the arts and sciences. Doctoral programs are offered in physical education and physical therapy. The College is ranked in the 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” in the top tier of “Best Universities—Master’s—North Region” by the U.S.News & World Report and is designated as a premier Leadership Development Center by the YMCA of the USA. More than 4,815 traditional, nontraditional, and international students study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its School of Human Services regional campuses located in 11 U.S. locations.

THE COLLEGE’S MISSION

The mission of Springfield College is to educate students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity by building upon its foundation of Humanics and academic excellence.

WHAT IS HUMANICS?

The Springfield College mission starts with Humanics, the age-old Greek ideal of the balanced individual. The ancient Greeks believed that a person’s emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical lives were all interconnected. The Humanics philosophy calls for the education of the whole person.

SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE POINTS OF PRIDE

• Known worldwide as The Birthplace of Basketball ^®, a game invented at the College by Professor James Naismith.
• Celebrating its anniversary in 2010.
• Ranked in the 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” in the top tier of “Best Universities—Master’s—North Region” by the U.S.News & World Report.
• Selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as one of 119 U.S. institutions of higher learning to receive its Community Engagement Classification, for exemplary community involvement.
• Recognized as a premier institution of higher education for YMCA leaders by the YMCA of the USA; signed a five-year renewed partnership agreement on June 19, 2009.
• Named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its exemplary community service programs—the highest federal recognition a college can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement.
• Opened a new Center for Wellness Education and Research to conduct groundbreaking research, serve as a national source of the latest wellness information, and design and present public wellness education programs.
• Recipient of the Jostens/NADIIIAA (NCAA) Community Service Award of Merit for student-athlete participation in community projects.
• Named to the “Saviors of Our Cities” list of the 25 “best neighbor urban colleges in the nation,” as a college that has dramatically strengthened the economy and quality of life in its community by careful strategic planning and thoughtful use of resources.
• Recipient of a multiple Super 60 Awards of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc., recognizing the College’s significant contributions to the strength of the regional economy.
• Presented with a proclamation from Springfield City Council for “making the City of Springfield a better place to live” and helping to “improve the neighborhood to make it a better place to live, work, and learn.”
• Named one of the “15 Most Influential Sports Education ‘Teams’ in America,” by The Institute for International Sport for its “international reputation for developing coaches, athletic trainers, physical education instructors, team managers, sports psychologists, and athletes who make a positive impact on millions of people in the world through sport.”
• Completed the largest fundraising campaign in the College’s history, closing at a record $44.5 million, exceeding its goal by more than 11 percent.
• Received the 2009 Outstanding Sports Facilities Award by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association for its Wellness & Recreation Complex.
• Students annually provide more than 133,000 hours of community service work in neighboring communities and organizations.
• Many faculty are recognized nationally and internationally as experts in their area of study; 80 percent of all faculty have earned terminal degrees in their fields.
• Selected by 77 percent of first-year students as their first choice college—a figure that’s about 16 percent higher than our national peer group of institutions.
• Above-national-average figures in student retention (85 percent of all first-year students on the main campus return) and degree completion (about two-thirds of all first-year students complete their degree requirements within five years).
• More than 42,000 alumni currently work within their own communities throughout the United States and across the globe as leaders in their fields.

CAMPUS

In addition to classroom buildings and laboratories, the main campus has 10 residence halls, new recreational and fitness facilities, a recently renovated main dining facility, newly renovated science center and academic facilities, and a renovated performing arts center. Many new facilities have been constructed and/or are in the planning stages.

PrideCams
View live video from Springfield College PrideCams.

East Campus
East Campus incorporates 52 acres of forest ecosystem located about one mile from the main campus, provides rustic facilities for conferences and meetings, and space for outdoor research and recreation. East Campus is also home to the Springfield College Child Development Center (CDC), which provides quality early education services for children of members of the faculty and staff, students, and families in the community. The CDC is linked to a number of academic programs and serves as a laboratory for Springfield College students with an interest in early childhood education.

TECHNOLOGY

Technology plays a key role in educating students. There are a number of wireless zones in popular student locations. In addition, the College maintains computer labs at several locations throughout the campus: Babson Library, Brennan Center (School of Social Work), Schoo-Bemis Science Center, and Weiser Hall. Smart labs are located in the Allied Health Sciences Center, Babson Library, Herbert P. Blake Hall, Brennan Center, Fuller Arts Center, Hickory Hall, Judd Gymnasium, Locklin Hall, the Physical Education Complex, and the Wellness and Recreation Complex. The Alden Center for Interactive Learning includes a "smart" classroom with interactive computer workstations and a board-style meeting room equipped for live video conferencing.

ACADEMICS

The academic experience encompasses coursework, research, laboratory experience, and targeted fieldwork, enhanced by co-curricular and voluntary service activities on campus and in the community. Academic and co-curricular programs are integrated and include traditional coursework enhanced by applied internships, fieldwork experiences, and experiential learning activities.

Fields of study include a full range of disciplines in the arts and sciences, health sciences and rehabilitation studies, education, business administration, human services, social work, and physical education, sport, and movement studies.

80 percent of full-time faculty have earned the highest degrees attainable in their areas of expertise. Sixty-eight percent hold doctorates.

Student-to-faculty ratio: 12 to 1

SCHOOLS

There are five schools at Springfield College

The School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies offers a broad and engaging curriculum, including mathematics, physics, computer science, biology/chemistry, psychology, management and economics, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and the visual and performing arts.

The School of Health Sciences & Rehabilitation Studies provides an academic and clinical foundation for careers in physical therapy, occupational therapy, communication disorders, rehabilitation and disability, emergency medical services management, and physician assistant.

The School of Health, Physical Education & Recreation focuses on the study of physical and health education, including applied exercise science, physical education, outdoor leadership, recreation management, and sport management.

The School of Human Services offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs designed to build the leadership skills of human service professionals while they are serving in their communities, through weekend class schedules. Campuses are located nationwide at Springfield and Boston, Mass.; Manchester, N.H.; St. Johnsbury, Vt.; Wilmington, Del.; Charleston, S.C.; Tampa Bay, Fla.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Los Angeles and San Diego, Calif.; and Houston, Texas.

The School of Social Work prepares social work professionals through the advanced generalist practice approach. Masters, post-masters certificates, and a joint masters/juris doctorate degree programs are offered.

ATHLETICS

Springfield College’s competitive Division III athletic program includes 26 varsity sports for men and women. The College is consistently ranked in the top 10 percent of Division III; many teams have competed in NCAA tournaments, been nationally and regionally ranked, and achieved conference champion recognition. A majority of coaches are also members of the faculty, which creates an enriched experience for their players and enables them to interact with the community as a whole. In addition, a large number of the College’s student-athletes and coaches are national statistical leaders.

• School colors: Maroon and White
• School nickname: Pride
• Symbol: Majestic Lion
• Mascot: Spirit

Quick Statistics

Enrollment (headcount, undergraduate and graduate full- and part-time, Academic Year 2008-09)

Main Campus
Students enrolled in

• School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies – 799 UG / 293 G 1,092
• School of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies – 399 UG / 166 G 565
• School of Health, Physical Education & Recreation – 803 UG / 192 G 995
• School of Social Work – 289

Undergrad – 2,001
Grad - 967
Sub-total 2,968

NOTE: 276 students who are not counted in one of the above Schools include 271 Academic Affairs students (Undeclared, Non-Matriculated, International, and General Studies) and 5 SJW students.

School of Human Services (11 sites nationally)
Undergrad - 1,155
Grad - 443
Sub-total 1,598

Grand Total, Enrollment (2008): 4,815

Top Majors on the Main Campus, in Rank Order by Enrollment (School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies; School of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies; School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Fall 2008):

• Movement and Sport Studies
• Applied Exercise Science
• Business Management
• Sport Management
• Physical Therapy
• Psychology
• Physician Assistant
• Rehabilitation and Disability Studies
• Criminal Justice
• Athletic Training

Percent of Students in Teacher Preparation:
16 percent (School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies, School of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies, and School of Health Physical Education and Recreation)

Residence Information (main campus, traditional programs; Academic Year 2008-09):
Full-time undergraduate students living on campus: 1,918
Full-time graduate students living on campus: 123

Fall 2008 Incoming Class (School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies, School of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies, School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation):
New first-year students 618
Transfer students 84

Degrees Awarded (Aug. ’07-May ’08):
Undergraduate 980
Graduate 683

Full-time Faculty - 215 (80% with doctorate or terminal degree)
Full-time Staff - 439
Total Full-time - 654
Total Part-time - 454

Degreed Alumni Total (as of Oct. 2008)

Bachelor degree: 33,640
Bachelor, non-degree: 7,622
Graduate degree: 12,657
Graduate non-degree: 166
Total: 54,085