Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education
Become an effective K-12 health and physical educator who uses innovative and collaborative practices.
About this Program
The B.A.Ed. in Health & Physical Education prepares candidates to become effective K-12 health and physical educators who use innovative and collaborative practices. As local, state, and national advocates, graduates will promote healthy and active lifestyles to foster health and wellbeing for future generations.
- Health & Physical Education students will complete three phases. During Phase I, candidates will observe and teach in select classrooms to gain professional experiences alongside experienced educators and K-12 students. Phase II will consist of specialized coursework designed for the 21st century health and physical educator.
- During Phase III, students will serve as health and physical education teachers in both elementary and secondary settings and finish all requirements for the degree.
Teacher education candidates are required to observe and teach in selected classrooms, learning about effective teaching, developing professional dispositions, and working directly with practitioners and school students at varying grade and developmental levels.
The Student Advising and Field Experience (SAFE) office works with school partners in establishing placement for these observations.
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Program Information
Program Type
Major
Area of Study
Education
School
Duration
4 Years
Degree
B.A.Ed. in Health and Physical Education
Program Location
Required Credit Hours
123 Hours
B.A.Ed. in Health & Physical Education
The B.A. Ed. in Health and Physical Education requires the following courses for a total of 123 hours.
To complete the B.A. Ed. in Health and Physical Education, students must complete:
- 6 hours of First Year Writing courses
- 9 hours of Social/Behavioral Science courses
- 12-15 hours of Mathematics/Science courses
- 9 hours of Humanities/ Fine Arts courses
- 9-10 hours of General Education courses
- 71 hours of Professional Education courses
First Year Writing (6)
- Writ 101 , Writ 100 OR Hon 101
- Writ 102, LIBA 102 OR Hon 102
Social/Behavioral Science (9)
- PSY 201
- HST (100 level suggested)
- HST (100 level suggested)
Mathematics/Science (12-15)
- MATH 121 (College Algebra) or higher (not to include Math 245 or 246)
- Physical Science w/lab (Please refer to the Degree Plan for more information)
- Biological Science w/lab (BISC 110 suggested)
- BISC 206- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Math or Science Elective (lab not required) (Please refer to the Degree Plan for more information)
Humanities/Fine Arts (9)
- ENG (220-226)
- ENG (220-226)
- Fine Arts (AH 101, 102, 201, 202; DANC 200; MUS 102, 103; THEA 201)
General Education Requirements (9-10)
- BISC 207 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- EDWP 340 Music and Movement in Elementary
- EL Activity Courses (choose 3-1 hour courses)
Professional Education Requirements (71)
- PH 191 Personal and Community Health
- PH 203 First Aid and CPR
- EDWP 240 Intro to Health and Physical Education
- EDWP 241 Movement Fundamentals/Applied Motor Learning in Physical Education
- NHM 311 Nutrition
- EDCI 352 Education, Society & the K-12 Learner*
- EDSP 308 Intro to Special Education
- EDWP 344 Physical Literacy: Lifetime Fitness, Exercise & Physical Activity
- EDWP 345 Educational Dance, Gymnastics and Mindful Movement
- ES 346/347 Kinesiology/ Kinesiology Lab
- EDSP 327 Classroom Management & Behavioral Interventions
- EDCI 353 Planning & Teaching Strategies for Effective Classroom Practice*
- EDWP 346 Teaching Fitness, Outdoor and Adventure Education
- EDWP 347 Inclusive Physical Education
- ES 348/349 Physiology of Exercise/Physiology of Exercise Laboratory
- EDWP 440 Elementary Physical Education Methods*
- EDWP 441 Secondary Physical Education Methods*
- EDWP 442 Coordinated Health and PE Programs CSPAP*
- EDWP 444 Senior Practicum*
- EDWP 445 Assessment and Evaluation in Health and PE
- EDWP 446 Student Teaching- Elementary/Secondary Health and PE*
*Denotes all courses that contain field experience.
Admission to Phase II of the Teacher Education Program
To be admitted to Phase II students must:
- Completion of core curriculum and EDCI 352 (minimum grade "C")
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on Core
- Have the appropriate Praxis Core, SAT, or ACT scores OR overall 3.0 GPA on 60+ hours
- Must complete education courses with a "C" or better
Applicants to the program must meet the following requirements. Students must have a:
- 2.5 grade point average (entry admission for transfer students and change of major)
- 2.75 grade point average (admission for Phase II: Teacher Education Program) and appropriate scores on either the ACT, SAT or CORE* (More Info…). Must complete education courses with a "C" of better to move forward.
*Praxis Core Exemption: Students are exempt from taking the Praxis CORE exam for admission to Phase II if they have:
- An ACT score of at least a 21 composite (or SAT equivalent; View the SAT Equivalency Scoring sheet for more information) OR
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a minimum of 60 hours of completed coursework
Yearlong Internship and Senior Practicum
All teacher education candidates in the elementary, health and physical education, secondary, and special education programs are placed in one location during the senior year.
- The yearlong internship consists of senior practicum and student teaching.
- Candidates are paired with the same Clinical Instructor for the entire senior year.
All senior yearlong placements are overseen by a Uuniversity Ssupervisor and are based on the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium Standards (InTASC) and Special Professional Association (SPA) Standards.
We're here to help!
If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to reach out!
Laura F Prior
Associate Professor of Teacher Education
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