Physical Education Major
Philosophy
Goal Statement
4-Year Plan
Major Core
University Core
Pedagogical Sequence
Support Courses
Education Courses
The Undergraduate Professional Preparation Program
The Professional Preparation program in Physical Education prepares you for certification to teach Physical Education to students in grades Kindergarten to 12th grade. Teaching certificates from Maryland are reciprocal in most other states.
Philosophy
The Department of Kinesiology is committed to providing an excellent curriculum in the cultural bases and scientific processes of human movement. We believe that university students should receive effective instruction in a range of liberal arts courses (University CORE) , the body of knowledge of Kinesiology (the Kinesiology CORE courses), and methods of teaching students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. Further, we expect university students to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and leadership ability to teach public and private school students to move safely and effectively, to value physical activity, and to respect and care for themselves and others.
Human movement is the focal point of this program. Students in this program will be educated about all aspects of movement, including cognitive, affective and motor components. Principles and components of movement provide the foundations for building more complex movements. Thus students graduating from this program both know how to move and why movements are effective. They are skilled and fit movers and teach others to move safely and skillfully. Students will have many opportunities throughout the program to teach students, examine a variety of public school settings, and evaluate the knowledge and skills used in this program in a variety of authentic settings. Through these experiences, they will synthesize, deepen and enhance their understanding of human movement and the value of participation in an active healthy lifestyle across their lifespan.
Goal Statements
Upon completion of the program each student should possess the skills to:
- Provide for health and safety of individuals engaged in physical activity
- Understand core concepts of the body of knowledge of Kinesiology
- Use the Kinesiology body of knowledge to observe, analyze and evaluate human movement
- Understand scientific, aesthetic, and developmental aspects of human movement, sport, and physical activity
- Teach core principles and concepts of the Kinesiological body of knowledge in physical education
- Apply knowledge of growth, development, learning theory, and movement principles and concepts to program development and lesson planning
- Understand the behavioral and cognitive science concepts that facilitate and enhance coaching and teaching physical activity
- Evaluate the teaching processes and learning outcomes that occur in effective teaching/learning environments
- Select and utilize a variety of direct and indirect teaching methods for individual and group instruction
- Anticipate, plan, and develop programs of physical activity to meet the needs of a continually changing society
- Demonstrate the characteristics of a professional physical educator
- Understand the range of movement capabilities of the human body
- Value and maintain a level of skillfulness and 'functional' fitness that complements their professional life
- Perform a broad range of movement skills at the advanced beginner or intermediate level
- Perform fundamental skills and skill themes in dance and sporting activities
- Understand the historical significance of human movement activities.
University Graduation Requirements
See the current Undergraduate Catalog for information pertaining to all undergraduate degrees and answers many frequently asked questions.
View a Sample 4-Year Plan for current students.
Total Credits: 122-125
The degree requirement for a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education Professional Preparation is 122-125 required credits. Because of the knowledge and course work demands for teaching certification, there are no elective credits in this program. The prerequisite sequence for successful completion of the program can be found in the back pages of this booklet.
The program can be conceptualized in the following major content groupings:
| Credit Summary | Credits |
|---|---|
| Major Core (KNES) Courses | 22 |
| University CORE Program | 27-30 |
| Pedagogical Sequence | 25 |
| Support Courses | 21 |
| Education Courses | 12 |
| Internship/Student Teaching | 15 |
| Total Credits | 122-125 |
The details of each of these groupings are specified in the sections that follow.
Major CORE (KNES) Courses - 22 credits
A " MAJOR CORE" of knowledge about all aspects of human movement is recognized as being necessary for all students, both Physical education and Kinesiological Sciences majors.
| Course | Credit |
|
|---|---|---|
| KNES 287 - Sport and American Society | 3 |
|
| KNES 293 - History of Sport in America | 3 |
|
| KNES 300 - Biomechanics of Human Motion | 4 |
BSCI 201: prerequisite |
| KNES 350 - Psychology of Sport | 3 |
|
| KNES 360 - Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
BSCI 201 & 202: prerequisites |
| KNES 370 - Motor Development | 3 |
|
| KNES 385 - Motor Learning & Skilled Performance | 3 |
|
| Total | 22 |
University CORE Program - 27-30 credits
The University CORE Program requires completion of Fundamental Studies, Distributed Studies beyond those required in the Professional Preparation Program, Diversity and Junior English.
| Requirement | Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Studies (English and Math) | 6 | |
| Distributed Studies | ||
| • Humanities and Arts | 9 | |
| • Social Science | 6 | |
| • Math or other science | 3 | |
| Diversity | 3 | |
| Junior English | 3 |
Pedagogical Sequence - 25 credits
The PEDAGOGICAL SEQUENCE emphasizes observation, teaching methods and teaching opportunities in a variety of public school settings.
| Course | Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| KNES 182 - Rhythmic Activities | 2 | |
| KNES 183 - Movement Content for Elementary School Children | 3 | |
| KNES 190 - Personal Fitness and Physical Activity | 2 | |
| KNES 245 - Methods of Teaching Physical Education | 3 | (formerly KNES 314) |
| KNES 290 - Teaching Fitness and Physical Activity Concepts | 3 | |
| KNES 291 - Teaching for Sequential Skill Development | 3 | |
| KNES 292 - Teaching Game Concepts and Tactics | 3 | |
| KNES 371 - Elementary School Physical Education: A Movement Approach | 3 | |
| KNES 491 - Curriculum in Physical Education | 3 | |
| Total | 25 |
Support Courses - 21 credits
| Course | Credit |
|---|---|
| BSCI 105 - Principles of Biology | 4 |
| BSCI 201 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BSCI 202 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| KNES 282 - Basic Care of Athletic Injuries | 3 |
| KNES 333 - Physical Activity for Students with Special Needs | 3 |
| KNES 480 - Test and Measurements | 3 |
| Total | 21 |
Education Courses - 12 credits
| Course | Credit |
|---|---|
| EDPA 301 - Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDHD 413 - Adolescent Development and Learning | 3 |
| EDHD 426 - Cognitive & Motivational Basis of Reading: Reading in Content Areas I | 3 |
| EDCI 463 - Reading in Content Areas II | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
The culminating experience is the year-long internship (student teaching). This starts with KNES 390 (3 cr.) in the Fall during which over 100 hours are practical experiences in the schools. This is followed in the spring with Student Teaching (EDCI 485, EDCI 495; 12 cr). Students teach 8 weeks in an elementary setting followed by eight weeks at the secondary level.
