Physical Education

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

Major in Physical Education

51 credit hours

Student learning outcomes

All Physical Education graduates 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 competency or proficiency in a variety of sports and physical activities.
5. Demonstrate the ability to teach physical activities, exercises, and sports to individuals and groups.
6. Employ critical thinking strategies, creativity and reflection when solving a problem.
7. Demonstrate professional ethical leadership behavior and skills: attire, communication, relationships, responsibility, initiative, and the ability to empower others.
8. 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; 14 in health (optional)

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.

Physical education teacher education students who select the health option have a very full curriculum and may need longer than four years to complete their program. SST must be carefully planned, especially for multi-sport athletes.

Physical education major four year plan

*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, 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.