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Undergraduate Studies
Bachelor of Science in Education: Physical Education
This program prepares students to teach physical Education. Individuals can be certified for grades PK to 9 only or for grades PK to 12.
General Education Requirements
Communication Skills (9 hours)
ENGL 1100, Freshman Composition
ENGL 3100, Advanced Expository Writing or equivalent
COMM, 1040 Introduction to Public Speaking
Humanities (8 hours)
Three courses from two curricular designations in the humanities (Symbol H).
Social Science (9 hours)
HIST 1001, American Civ to 1865 or
HIST 1002, American Civ 1865 to Present
POL SCI 1100, Intro to American Politics
PSYCH 1003, General Psychology
Natural Science (8 hours)
One course in a physical or earth science
One course in a biological science.
At least one of these courses must have a laboratory component.
Mathematics (3 hours)
MATH 1020, Contemporary Math or
MATH 1030, College Algebra
Note: All of the courses above must be a minimum of two semester hours.
Electives 11-14 hours
PK-9 Emphasis
Level I: Exploring Education as a Profession
The following courses are required (14 hours) within 12 hours to be completed before advancement to Level II:
HLTH PE 3277, Foundations of Health and Physical Education (2)
HLTH PE 3280, Human Anatomy and Physiology (5)
TCH ED 2209, Foundations of Teaching in American Schools (4)
ED PSY 2212, Introduction to Learners and Learning (3)
Level II: Analyzing the Nature and Process of Education
The following Health and Physical Education (HLTH PED) and Physical Education (PHY ED) courses are required (27 hours) ), with 21 hours to be completed before enrollment in any Level III courses:
ED PSY 3312, Psychology of Teaching and Learning (3)
HLTH PE 3275, Psychological Aspects of Physical Education (3)
HLTH PE 3285, Safety and Emergency Care in Health and Physical Education (3)
HLTH PE 3433, Health Education Concepts and Skills (3)
PHY ED 3282, Physical Growth and Motor Development (3)
PHY ED 3283, Kinesiology (3)
PHY ED 3284, Physiology of Human Exercise (3)
TCH ED 3313, Introduction to Learners with Disabilities & Inclusive Education (3)
TCH ED 4391, Teaching Reading in Secondary School Content Areas (3)
The following Health and Physical Education (HTLH PE) and Physical Education (PHY ED) courses are required (9 hours) and can be taken concurrently with Level III courses:
HLTH PE 3434, Teaching of Health and Wellness (4)
PHY ED 3261, Physical Activity for the Exceptional Learner (2)
PHY ED 3468, Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Physical Education (3)
Level III: Synthesizing Theory and Practice in Education
The following Health and Physical Education (HLTH PE) and Physical Education (PHY ED) courses are required (25 hours):
HLTH PE 4989, Professional Internship in Health and Physical Education (2)
HLTH PE 4990, Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education PK-5 (6)
HLTH PE 4991, Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education 5-9 (6)
PHY ED 3422, Teaching of Skills: Grade PK-4 (4)
PHY ED 3423, Teaching of Skills: Grades 5-8 (4)
PHY ED 3425, Teaching of Skills: Movement, Dance and Rhythms (3)
Total: 126 hours
Attention Education majors: Professional Education courses must be completed with a grade point average of 2.5 and no grade lower than a C.
Grades K through 12 Emphasis
General education requirements are the same as for K-9
Level I: Exploring Education as a Profession
The following courses are required (14 hours) with 12 hours to be completed before advancement to Level II
HLTH PE 3277, Foundations of Health and Physical Education (2)
HLTH PE 3280, Human Anatomy and Physiology (5)
TCH ED 2209, Foundations of Teaching in American Schools (4)
ED PSY 2212, Introduction to Learners and Learning (3)
Level II: Analyzing the Nature and Process of Education
The following Health and Physical Education (HLTH PE) and Physical Education (PHY ED) courses are required (27 hours) with 21 hours to be completed before enrollment in any Level III courses:
HLTH PE 3275, Psychological Aspects of Health and Physical Education (3)
HLTH PE 3285, Safety and Emergency Care in Physical Education (3)
HLTH PE 3433, Health Education Concepts and Skills (3)
PHY ED 3282, Physical Growth and Motor
Development (3)
PHY ED 3283, Kinesiology (3)
ED PSY 3312, Psychology of Teaching and Learning (3)
TCH ED 3313, Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3)
TCH ED 4391, Teaching Reading in Secondary School Content Areas (3)
The following Health and Physical Education (HLTH PE) and Physical Education (PHY ED) courses are required (9 hours) and can be taken concurrently with Level III courses
HLTH PE 3434, Teaching of Health and Wellness (4)
PHY ED 3261, Physical Activity for the Exceptional Learner (2)
PHY ED 3468, The Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Physical Education (3)
Level III: Synthesizing Theory and Practice in Education
The following Health and Physical Education (HLTH PE) and Physical Education (PHY ED) courses are Required (29 hours):
HLTH PE 4989, Professional Internship in Health and Physical Education (3)
HLTH PE 4990, Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education PK-5 (6)
HLTH PE 4992, Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education 9-12 (6)
PHY ED 3422, Teaching of Skills: Grades PK-4 (4)
PHY ED 3423, Teaching of Skills: Grades 5-8 (4)
PHY ED 3424, Teaching of Skills Grades 9-12 (4)
PHY ED 3425, Teaching of Skills: Movement, Dance And Rhythms (3)
Minimum: 130 hours
Attention Education majors: Professional Education courses must be completed with a grade point average of 2.5 and no grade lower than a C.
Athletic Coaching Minor
An athletic coaching minor is available (minimum of 20 hours). The following courses are required:
PHY ED 3283, Kinesiology
PHY ED 3424, Teaching of Skills: Grades 9-12
PHY ED 5312, Management of Sports Programs
PHY ED 5330, Prescribing Physical Activity
All courses apply to, but do not complete, teaching certification in Missouri.
Health Certification
For those with a valid teaching certificate in physical, courses are available to obtain an additional endorsement in Health Education.
Master of Education: Elementary or Secondary Education with Physical Education as Teaching Field
A significant number of graduate students choose physical Education as the teaching field within one of the master of Education degree options. Most are currently employed as teachers of health and/or physical Education. Certification requirements in Missouri mandate the completion of a master's degree to professionalize the certificate. Therefore, a full complement of graduate courses relating to teaching in physical Education is available to meet this need. For many who need to pursue teacher certification in physical Education while pursuing the master's degree, most course work needed to meet state certification requirements can be taken in the master's program. For those employed outside Education, an emphasis in exercise science is also available, providing a foundation of course work designed to prepare a person in this area. Specific information is available regarding each of these degree programs. Please consult with your graduate adviser to discuss the specific options and requirements.
Career Outlook
The employment outlook for physical Educators in the schools continues to be positive, especially in the elementary and middle school levels. Recent placement years have yielded full employment opportunities to UMSL graduates. Rising school enrollments and the expected retirement of a significant portion of currently employed teachers signal optimistic outlooks for the next few years. In addition to elementary, middle school, and high school physical Education teaching, more limited opportunities exist in athletic training, dance, research, sports management, and exercise leadership fields serving persons of all age categories.