Physical Education

Major Requirements

Major: Physical Education

Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 120

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Category C: Communication12
ENGL 110
College Composition I
ENGL 120
College Composition II
COMM 110
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing †
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning †3
Category S: Science and Technology †10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts †6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences †6
Category W: Wellness †2
Category D: Cultural Diversity *†
Category G: Global Perspectives *†
Total Credits39
*

Courses for category D & G are satisfied by completing D & G designated courses in another general education category.

†

General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

Major Requirements

Physical Education Core Requirements
HPER 110Introduction to Health and Physical Education3
HPER 211Successful Coaching1
HPER 217Personal and Community Health3
HPER 255Professional Preparation in Middle School Physical Education3
HPER 301Motor Learning and Performance3
HPER 336
HPER 367Pedagogy of the Body for K-123
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology (May satisfy general education category B)3
Major Option
Students select either the K-12 Teaching Licensure Option or the Coaching & Physical Activity Leadership Option51 or 54
Total Credits70-73

K-12 Teacher Licensure Option 

HDFS 230Life Span Development (May satisfy general education category B) 23
or PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology
HPER 254Curriculum, Standards and Assessment in Physical Education3
HPER 256Professional Preparation in High School Physical Education3
HPER 257Professional Preparation in Elementary School Activities3
HPER 350Fitness Education Activities and Materials3
HPER 353Adapted Physical Education3
HPER 461Administrative and Social Aspects of Physical Education and Athletics3
Professional Education Requirements
EDUC 321Introduction to Teaching3
EDUC 322Educational Psychology3
EDUC 451Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment 13
EDUC 481Classroom Practice Methods of Teaching I: (PE K-12 section) 23
EDUC 485Student Teaching Seminar1
EDUC 486Classroom Management for Diverse Learners3
EDUC 487Student Teaching9
EDUC 488Applied Student Teaching3
EDUC 489Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds3
Total Credits52

 Coaching and Physical Activity Leadership Option

HDFS 230Life Span Development3
HDFS 330Child Development3
HDFS 340Adolescent Development3
HNES 190Introduction to Sport Management3
HNES 226Socio-Cultural Dimension in Sport3
HNES 250Nutrition Science3
HPER 349Advanced Coaching3
HNES 388Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries3
HNES 431Sport Law3
PSYC 340Psychology in Sport3
HPER 496Field Experience12
Electives:9
COMM 114
Human Communication
COMM 212
Interpersonal Communication
EDUC 322
Educational Psychology
EDUC 451
Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment
EDUC 489
Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds
HDFS 341
Parent-Child Relations
HNES 304
Sport Promotion and Public Relations
HPER 353
Adapted Physical Education
HNES 436
Sport Facility and Event Management
HNES 473
Anaerobic Exercise Prescription and Advanced Resistance Training Techniques
SOC 214
Social Interaction
SOC 235
Cultural Diversity
HNES 323
Ethics of Sport
HNES 303
Sport Communication and New Media
HNES 444
Sport Finance
HNES 414
Global Perspectives in Sport
Total Credits51
1

Students must earn a grade of "B" or better for the K-12 Teacher Licensure Option

2

Students must earn a "C" or better for the K-12 Teacher Licensure Option

3

Students may only earn one "C" among these three courses for the K-12 Teacher Licensure Option

4

Students must earn a "B" or better (Both Options)

Degree Requirements and Notes

  • K-12 Teacher Licensure Option
    • To be placed in student teaching, a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 GPA in professional education coursework is required. 
    • To exit the program, a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 GPA in professional education coursework is required as well as completing the Praxis Subject test and the Principles of Learning and Teaching test.
    • Courses taken Pass/Fail will not be used to satisfy any requirements other than total credits.
    • See School of Education for admission requirements.
  • Coaching and Physical Activity Leadership Option
    • A GPA of 2.75 or better is required to exit from the program.
    • Courses taken Pass/Fail will not be used to satisfy any requirements other than total credits.