Course Listings

Physical Education

A major and minor in Physical Education are available, as well as a coaching certificate for students in any major. Teacher certification is available for grades P-12. (See PETE requirements below.) See also the majors and minors in Exercise Science and Sport Management.

Major in Physical Education

47 credit hours

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a major in Physical Education will:

  1. Understand historical, sociological, psychological and cultural theories and concepts in kinesiology.
  2. Analyze physical activity, sport skills, and exercise performance from anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological perspectives.
  3. Participate in regular physical activity and maintain a healthy level of physical fitness.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to teach physical activities, exercises, and sports to individuals and groups.
  5. Employ critical thinking strategies, creativity and reflection when solving a problem.
  6. Demonstrate professional ethical leadership behavior and skills: attire, communication, relationships, responsibility, initiative, and the ability to empower others.
  7. Demonstrate readiness for an entry level physical activity, sport, exercise, or health related profession or readiness for graduate school.

Major in Physical Education with Teacher Education (PETE)

43 credit hours in biology and kinesiology; 35 in education

Student Learning Outcomes

In addition to the list above, PETE graduates will:

  1. Apply important elements of motor skill acquisition and fitness training in teaching settings.
  2. Create, plan, teach, and evaluate developmentally appropriate learning experiences, using best practices in teaching physical education.
  3. Utilize assessments, data analysis, and reflection to foster child/adolescent learning and to inform instructional decisions in physical education.

Advising Notes

Intercollegiate sports credit is only available to varsity team members. The head coach of each respective team verifies participation each semester. While students may receive credit more than one semester, only one credit may be counted toward the major.

Planning Guide

First YearCore 115, Wellness for Life
Introductory Chemistry, Organismal Biology or Human Anatomy
Introduction to Kinesiology
First Aid & CPR
Basic Athletic Training
Sports Skills Electives
Goshen Core
Second Year*Motor Learning
Physical Education for Children
*Introduction to Sport Management
Theory and Techniques of Coaching
*Exercise Physiology
Sports Skills Electives
Goshen Core
Third YearGoshen Core
*Teaching Sports Skills and Strategies
Sports Skills Electives
*Adaptive Physical Activity and Sport
*Applied Biomechanics
Fourth YearPracticum or Internship or Student Teaching (for licensure students)
Kinesiology Senior Seminar
Balance of major courses
Balance of Goshen Core

*Alternate year classes

Minor in Physical Education

24 credit hours

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a minor in Physical Education will:

  1. Describe historical, sociological, and psychological theories and concepts of kinesiology.
  2. Participate in regular physical activity and maintain a healthy level of physical fitness.
  3. Demonstrate competency or proficiency in a variety of sports and physical activities.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to teach physical activities in one or two contexts.
  5. Employ critical thinking strategies, creativity and reflection in solving a problem.

Coaching certificate

9 credit hours

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a coaching certificate will:

  1. Understand the primary responsibilities and duties of an athletic coach at the high school level, including legal aspects, safety and emergency procedures.
  2. Develop and write a personal philosophy of athletic coaching.
  3. Demonstrate important aspects of professionalism in guiding young people as they develop socially, psychologically and physically in the context of sport. (Specifically, completing the ASEP Coaching Principles course and achieving an 80% or higher on the exam).
  4. Demonstrating knowledge of sport program organization, budget management, personnel management, communication and other similar skills associated with coaching responsibilities.

Advising Notes

The coaching certificate is not a full academic minor. See the kinesiology department for more information. Students must pass the ASEP exam to get the certificate and will have an opportunity to do so in KIN 345 Theory and Techniques of Coaching.

Course descriptions

  • BIOL 130 Organismal Biology

    An introductory course that integrates study of plant and animal forms to provide a broader understanding of the unity and diversity of life on earth. Students will gain insight into the basic principles of structure and function evident in complex...

  • BIOL 203 Human Anatomy & Physiology I

    A study of the organ systems of the human body, their gross and microscopic structure and their functions. Laboratory demonstrations and dissections. Three lectures, one three-hour lab. Prerequisite: one semester of college chemistry. Offered every spring.

  • CHEM 220 Human Nutrition

    A study of the nutritive needs of the body in normal stages of growth and development, food sources of nutrients, nutrient functions and factors affecting nutrient utilization. Current U.S. and global nutritional problems are explored. Prerequisite: Chem 101, 103 or...

  • KIN 102 First Aid & CPR

    The course provides an introduction to first aid, practical experience in basic first aid skills, and first aid for specific sport injuries. Successful completion of the course and passing the ARC certification exam will result in certification for one year....

  • KIN 103 Basic Athletic Training

    This course is valuable to anyone who plans to coach or pursue future certification in athletic training. Topics covered include: emergency procedures, evaluation and management of injuries to the foot, ankle, knee, shoulder, elbow and hand. Students learn taping techniques.

  • KIN 150 Introduction to Kinesiology

    This course provides an introduction to kinesiology and sub-disciplinary areas of study in the field. An overview and history of kinesiology, physical education, sport and exercise science is included as is a review of various careers in the majors offered.

  • KIN 150 Introduction to Kinesiology

    This course provides an introduction to kinesiology and sub-disciplinary areas of study in the field. An overview and history of kinesiology, physical education, sport and exercise science is included as is a review of various careers in the majors offered.

  • KIN 269 Sports Medicine Practicum

    For this practicum, the student will work with the Head Athletic Trainer, expanding first aid and CPR proficiencies and completing basic duties in the training room with sports teams. The level of responsibility assigned will be individualized based on certifications,...

  • KIN 308 Teaching Sport Skills & Strategies

    This is an applied course focusing on teaching skill techniques and strategies in a variety of sports. Content includes theory, best practice in secondary level pedagogy and skill content. There is a special focus on organization and management for teaching,...

  • KIN 309 Physical Education for Children

    This class focuses on philosophy, methods and materials for teaching physical education to children. Some field experience with children included. While this course is open to any student, there is a clear focus on preparing students to teach elementary physical...

  • KIN 310 Introduction to Sport Management

    This course provides an introduction to sport management and administration focusing on areas of legal responsibility, personnel, finance, public relations, equipment, facilities, intramurals and athletics.

  • KIN 315 Applied Biomechanics

    This course focuses on the description and analysis of human movement from anatomical and mechanical perspectives. Laws and principles from anatomy and physics that govern the use of the human body, objects and implements are applied to the analysis of...

  • KIN 317 Exercise Physiology

    In this course, students study how the human body responds during various kinds of exercise and how it adapts as a result of a regular exercise program. The course includes an analysis of neuromuscular activity, circulation, respiration and metabolism as...

  • KIN 320 Adaptive Physical Activity & Sport

    This course, required for all physical education teacher licensure and general physical education majors, will examine attitudes, methods, techniques, and special considerations important in addressing physical activity needs and interests of children and adolescents with disabilities. Critical aspects of motor...

  • KIN 330 Motor Learning

    This course addresses concepts in the sub-discipline of motor behavior, primarily focusing on motor learning theory and psychological variables in the acquisition of motor skills. In completing this course, students will examine the nature of the learner, the learning process,...

  • KIN 345 Theory & Techniques of Coaching

    The course will present an overview of basic theories and coaching applications, including topics such as philosophy, psychology, ethics, practice and game preparation. This course includes preparation for and an opportunity to take the American Sport Education Program certification exam...

  • KIN 354 Facility Management Practicum

    Students work with a supervisor or director of the Roman-Gingerich Recreation and Fitness Center in management aspects of this facility. Content is based in sport management (Kin 310) areas of facility design, maintenance and administration. Responsibilities include scheduling of rooms,...

  • KIN 360 Teaching Health Concepts

    The majority of the class will focus on content knowledge development on identified health concepts and the pedagogical aspects of teaching health. Students will be required to develop lesson plans linked to K-12 health standards and will practice specific methods...

  • KIN 409 Internship

    A practical experience related to the student’s interest and ability. This professional experience occurs in an off-campus setting as establishing community and career connections is valued. For non-teaching majors only.

  • KIN 410 Senior Seminar

    A capstone kinesiology class focused on career or graduate school preparation and completion of a major project. The course includes an introduction to research methods and descriptive and inferential statistics in kinesiology. Course includes the consideration of professional and ethical...

  • KIN 415 School and Community Health

    An overview of community health issues and agencies. Also, components of a Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) including comprehensive school health education, physical education, school health services, nutrition services, counseling and social services, healthy school environment, school-site health promotion for...

  • PUBH 200 Introduction to Public Health

    This course provides an overview of the field of Public Health and emphasizes basic principles, practices and policies. Related to this, students will learn the infrastructure and organization of public health in the U.S. at the local, state and federal...

  • PUBH 210 Culturally Responsive Health Promot

    This course focuses on how an individuals social, cultural, and economic background influences both their health status as well as the health care they receive. The emphasis in this course is in culturally responsive health promotion programs, which is one...

  • PUBH 310 Public Health Policy & Administrat

    This course provides an overview of the Public Health policy-making process in the U.S. and the issues related to the provision of health-related services. It examines the political and institutional settings and constraints on the formulation of policy, including the...

  • SOC 210 Sociology of the Family

    A study of the role of family in society and culture. Includes a comparative history of the family institution as well as an examination of social trends affecting mate selection, marriage, family roles and family relationships in contemporary society and...

  • SOC 260 Human Sexuality

    Biological, psychological and sociological factors determining sex-role identification and role performance; human reproduction, fertility control and sexual disorders; social and spiritual values in human sexuality; sex discrimination and movements toward sex equality.

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