Fast Facts
Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy—educating students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.
The College offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of health sciences, human and social services, sport management and movement studies, education, business, and the arts and sciences. It also offers doctoral programs in physical education, physical therapy, educational leadership, exercise physiology, and counseling psychology.
With its foundation of academic excellence and rich athletic heritage, Springfield College prepares students with real-world leadership skills for careers that transform lives and communities.
Springfield College is ranked nationally among America's best colleges by U.S. News & World Report, and in addition, is ranked very high as a "Best Value" school.
Springfield College is designated as a premier Leadership Development Center by the YMCA of the USA.
Known as the Birthplace of Basketball, Springfield College is where the sport of basketball was invented. Springfield College graduate student James Naismith invented the game in 1891. Speaking of notable alumni, we have quite a few.
- William Morgan invented volleyball in 1894.
- John Cena is a philanthropist, actor, and professional wrestler.
- Marilyn Bevans was a champion marathon runner and the first Black American female to win the Maryland Marathon in 1977.
- Harold Amos, who earned a master’s degree and a PhD in the Division of Medical Services at Harvard University, was the first Black person to earn a doctoral degree from that division. He later served as a faculty member at Harvard Medical School for almost 50 years.
- Tom Waddell, an infectious disease specialist, competed in the decathlon in the 1968 Olympics and founded the Gay Games in 1982.
Current Successes and Initiatives
With a focus on the dynamic future of clinical services and business opportunities in health care, Springfield College is embarking on establishment of a new Health Sciences Center. The state-of-the-art facility, slated to open in 2023, will provide our students pursuing degrees/careers in health sciences with the latest in research and leadership opportunities. With a booming health care field, the time is right to provide a facility that will be the setting for everything from a space to design and create new health and wellness technologies to a learning-centered human anatomy laboratory to an operating suite with remotely observable examination and treatment rooms.
Springfield College is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful campus community. Many of those efforts are spearheaded by members of the Division of Inclusion and Community Engagement, who continue to move the mission of Springfield College through actions, conversations, and year-round programming. Our theme – Silence is Not an Option – is at the forefront as we bring important, engaging, and informative programming to campus. From the raising of a Black Lives Matter flag on Naismith Green to “Campus Conversations on Race,” featuring some of our students of color voicing their experiences at Springfield College, to a March for Action on Alden Street that supported anti-racist efforts, we continue to live our mission of leadership in service to others.
The Arts and Humanities Speaker Series has become a cornerstone for bringing diverse perspectives covering a range of topics to campus since 2014. Made possible by the generosity of Carlton ’63 and Lucille Sedgeley, the series provides an opportunity for the Springfield College campus and extended community to listen and learn about important issues of the day. Previous distinguished speakers in this series include paleoanthropologist, political advisor, and environmentalist Richard Leakey; author, poet, and screenwriter Sherman Alexie; Grammy Award-winning singer, activist, and humanitarian Angelique Kidjo; best-selling author, philanthropist, columnist, and sports reporter Mitch Albom, and New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi.
College Mission and Humanics Philosophy
- Springfield College is the recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award in the education category of the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll – the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. Springfield College community members give approximately 120,000 hours of service each year.
- The staff of the Springfield College Center for Service and Leadership in 2021 led nine students through multiple community outreach service projects as part of the College’s alternative spring break program. With the typical spring break week in March postponed this year due to the pandemic, the students used the end of the semester to serve the surrounding community.
- Springfield College has partnered with the Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts to host Soccer without Borders, a first-of-its-kind soccer clinic in Springfield. The week-long clinic will be held on the campus from June 28 through July 2 for 50 refugee and immigrant Springfield public school students.
- The Springfield College Office of Student Activities has recognized some unsung heroes around campus. These students are recognized for going above and beyond to support, encourage, and inspire fellow peers.
- The Springfield College Center for Service and Leadership and the Humanics in Action Club in 2021 delivered more than 200 fire safety kits to Rebecca M. Johnson Elementary School, and 100 incentive kits to both the Elias Brookings Elementary School, and William N. DeBerry Elementary School in Springfield.
