Student lifting weights

Bachelor of Science Degree in HPER

Physical Education Major

Overview

The major in Physical education offers three options: Teaching, Exercise Science, and Pre-Physical Therapy. All three options provide a program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. The teaching option is designed to prepare students for teaching positions in grades K-12. Major requirements include classes in professional development, skill development, teaching/coaching methods, and the selection of a teaching minor. The exercise science option is designed to prepare students to pursue a vocation in private fitness or corporate fitness, or to pursue the Master of Science degree in Corporate Wellness and Rehabilitation. The pre-physical therapy is designed to prepare students to enter a post baccalaureate degree program in professional physical therapy. The exercise science option and pre-physical therapy option require a specified core of classes and a number of electives. Students in pre-physical therapy must complete an internship in cooperative education as part of the elective requirement.

Areas of Emphasis

Minors Offered

Mission Statement and Objectives

The mission of the curriculum area of Physical Education within the Department of Health Physical Education and Reacreation is to prepare qualified practitioners for successful careers in exercise science, teaching, and pre-physical therapy. The undergraduate program recognizes its responsibility to the community and state to continue our reputation of producing highly professional physical educators. To accomplish this mission, this curriculum area will create an environment for students to meet the following objectives:

  1. To promote the true meaning of a physically educated person within our majors, by promoting the development of their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
  2. To gain a basic understanding of the functions of the body as they apply to exercise and the principles underlying physical movement.
  3. To develop pedagogical skills, including situations involving diverse social, psychological, cultural, behavioral, and special populations.
  4. To develop a personal, lifelong commitment to physical activity and the promotion of the health benefits of physical activity.
  5. To develop a minimum competency level in a diverse number of skills required to promote sport and physical education proficiency.
  6. To understand the need and use of test and measurements skills as they apply to physical education.

Physical Education Standards

The conceptual framework for Physical Education majors and teachers is embodied in nine standards and objectives which are approved by the National Association of Sport and Education (NASPE) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) objectives/standards:

  1. Content Knowledge - A physical education teacher understands physical education content, disciplinary concepts, and tools of inquiry to the development of a physically educated person. This standard represents the discipline specific content and skill knowledge.
  2. Growth and Development - A physical education teacher understands how individuals learn and develop and can provide opportunities that support their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. The focus of this standard is the application of growth and development concepts to specific teaching experiences.
  3. Diverse Learners - A physical education teacher understands how individuals differ in their approaches to learning and creates appropriate instruction adapted to these differences. Through this standard, preservice teachers demonstrate their ability to plan and implement learning experiences that are sensitive to diverse learners.
  4. Management and Motivation - A physical education teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a safe learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
  5. Communication - A physical education teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster inquiry, collaboration, and engagement in physical activity settings.
  6. Planning and Instruction - A physical education teacher plans and implements a variety of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies to develop physically educated individuals. This standard deals specifically with pedagogical knowledge and application.
  7. Learner Assessment - A physical education teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to foster physical, cognitive, social, end emotional development of learners in physical activity.
  8. Reflection - A physical education teacher is a reflective practitioner who evaluates the effects of his/her actions on others and seeks opportunities to grow professionally.
  9. Collaboration - The teacher fosters relationships with colleagues, parents/guardians, and community agencies to support learners' growth and well-being. This standard encompasses the preservice teacher's opportunities to interact and advocate for physical activity both in school and the larger community.

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