Physical Education
Physical Education Major
The Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program provides opportunities for students to become critical thinkers, creative planners, and effective practitioners.
To be successful in the field, a physical education student must like to work with people, be adequately skilled in physical activities, have a commitment to fitness, and be interested in the physical, biological and social sciences.
The PETE program emphasizes teaching and provides students with skills and techniques necessary to begin a successful career in K-12 physical education. The program is aligned with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education's (NASPE) PETE Standards. The courses are strategically structured to be sequential in nature.
Students initially take courses through the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences (HNES) and complete their degree requirements through the School of Education . Application to the School of Education will occur during the student's sophomore year. Completion of the degree requirements for a physical education major in the School of Education certifies a graduate to teach physical education from kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12).
Students majoring in Physical Education will be studying the art and science of human movement, which includes classes in elementary, middle, and high school activities; motor learning, physiology and psychology of human movement; the art of teaching and motivating students; and performance-based assessment.
Students must earn a grade of 'B' or better in all core physical education courses and must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade-point average to stay in full standing in the program.
Graduates leave prepared to teach in a professional manner, while demonstrating exemplary ethical behavior and displaying current "best practices". Graduates are expected to be positive role models for K-12 students in the area of physical education, physical activity, and sports.
Double Major
It is strongly recommended that Physical Education students double major in Health Education .
Major Requirements
Major: Physical Education
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
General Education Requirements
| First Year Experience (F): | ||
| HD&E 189 | Skills for Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take HD&E 189.) | 1 |
| Communication (C): | ||
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| ENGL 358 | Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences | 3 |
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (R): Select from current general education list | 3 | |
| Science & Technology (S): Select from current general education list | 10 | |
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): | ||
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Wellness (W): | ||
| HNES 217 | Personal and Community Health * | 3 |
| Cultural Diversity (D): Select from current general education list | ||
| Global Perspectives (G): Select from current general education list | ||
| Total Credits | 41 | |
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree – An additional 6 credits of Humanities and Social Sciences and proficiency at the second year in a modern foreign language are required. See School of Education for admission requirements.
Major Requirements
| General Education Requirements | 40 | |
| Teaching Speciality Requirements | ||
| HDFS 230 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| or PSYC 250 | Developmental Psychology | |
| HNES 110 | Introduction to Health, Physical Education, and Sport Management * | 3 |
| HNES 154 | Professional Preparation in Elementary School Activities * | 3 |
| HNES 254 | Curriculum, Standards and Assessment in Physical Education * | 3 |
| HNES 255 | Professional Preparation in Middle School Physical Education * | 3 |
| HNES 256 | Professional Preparation in High School Physical Education * | 3 |
| HNES 301 | Motor Learning and Performance * | 3 |
| HNES 336 | Methods Of Coaching * | 3 |
| HNES 350 | Fitness Education Activities and Materials * | 3 |
| HNES 367 | Principles of Conditioning * | 3 |
| HNES 461 | Administrative and Social Aspects of Physical Education and Athletics * | 3 |
| College Requirement | ||
| HD&E 320 | Professional Issues | 1 |
| Physical Education Requirements | ||
| EDUC 321 | Introduction to Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 322 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 451 | Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment | 3 |
| EDUC 481 | Classroom Practice Methods of Teaching I: (PE) | 3 |
| EDUC 485 | Student Teaching Seminar | 1 |
| EDUC 486 | Classroom Management for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| EDUC 487 | Student Teaching | 9 |
| EDUC 488 | Applied Student Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 489 | Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds | 3 |
| Degree Requirement: Potential of 16 credits to reach 122 | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
| * | Students must earn a grade of 'B' or better. |
Degree Requirements and Notes
- A GPA of 2.75 or better in the teaching specialty is required to stay in full standing in the program, for placement in student teaching, and to exit from the program.
- A GPA of 2.75 or better in the professional education requirements, as well as passing the Exit Portfolio, are required to exit the program.
- Courses taken Pass/Fail will not be used to satisfy any requirements other than total credits.
- See School of Education for admission requirements.
