Physical Education Major
Philosophy
Goal Statement
University Graduation Requirements
Program BenchmarksAdmission to the College of Education
University Core Program
Major Core (KNES) Courses
Pedagogical Sequence
Support Courses
Education Courses
Year-Long Internship/Student Teaching
Physical Education Student Organization (PESO)
Mandatory Advising
Taking courses at Another Institution after Admitted to the Physical Education Program
Applying for Maryland State Certification
Contact the Program Coordinator
The Undergraduate Professional Preparation Program
The Department of Kinesiology offers a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. The Professional Preparation program in Physical Education prepares students for certification to teach Physical Education to students in grades Kindergarten to 12th grade.
Physical Education Teaching Certification from Maryland is reciprocal in most states.
The 60+ undergraduates majoring in Physical Education pursue careers in teaching physical education in the public schools.
Our program is designed to attend Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) Standards for teacher preparation.
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 will meet the 2008 NASPE Initial Physical Education Teacher Education Standards and 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
The requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education Professional Preparation is 120 required credits, with no electives. The knowledge and course work for teaching certification are extensive.
See the current Undergraduate Catalog for information pertaining to all undergraduate degrees and answers many frequently asked questions.
The School of Public Health has the expectation that students will complete their degree in the college in a timely manner. For most full-time students this will be four years. To aid students in the timely movement through their degree program, each major has a 4-year Template which students should use in planning their four-year program.
View a Sample 4-Year Plan for current students.
The Physical Education Major has benchmarks designed to help students plan course selection that will insure that students are able to successfully complete their degree in a reasonable amount of time. Benchmarks are specific courses that must be successfully completed by a set number of credits in the major. At no time will benchmarks be used to keep students from entering a major. Rather, they will be used to plan an approach that will help the student most effectively move to completion of degree requirements.
It is the responsibility of all students matriculating as freshmen beginning Fall 2005 to complete an acceptable plan for degree completion, to have the plan reviewed by an academic advisor, and to present an updated plan to their academic advisor for review as circumstances change. Students who do not follow established plans for meeting benchmarks or are not making satisfactory progress in the meeting of benchmarks, will be referred by the Academic Advisor to the Assistant Dean of Student Services. Students who are unable to make satisfactory progress in their degree program will not be eligible to continue in that degree program.
View Physical Education Major Benchmarks
The program can be conceptualized in the following major content groupings:
Credit Summary |
Credit |
| University CORE Program | 24 |
| Major Core (KNES) Courses | 22 |
| Pedagogical Sequence | 25 |
| Support Courses | 21 |
| Education Courses | 12 |
| Internship/Student Teaching | 15 |
| Elective | 1 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
|---|
University CORE Program - 24 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 |
Math requirement: MATH 112* (or MATH 115 or math placement in MATH140) |
| Distributed Studies | ||
| • Humanities and Arts | 9 |
|
| • Social Science | 3 |
|
| • Physical Science or Math | 3 |
|
| • Junior English | 3 |
* Students who enter the Physical Education major through change of major (internal transfer) will not have to meet the MATH112 requirement that became effective Spring 2008 provided they have completed a fundamental math course with a C or better prior to Spring 2009 or have a MATH 140 placement. Students who have a MATH placement still need to fulfill fundamental MATH requirement.
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. All pedagogy courses must be completed at the University of Maryland.
Course |
Credit |
|
| KNES 287 - Sport and American Society | 3 |
|
| KNES 293 - History of Sport in America | 3 |
|
| KNES 300 - Biomechanics of Human Motion | 4 |
prerequisites: BSCI 201 and MATH 112 (or MATH 115 or placement in MATH140) |
| 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 |
|
Pedagogical Sequence - 25 credits
The PEDAGOGICAL SEQUENCE emphasizes observation, teaching methods and teaching opportunities in a variety of public school settings. All pedagogy courses must be completed at the University of Maryland.
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 |
KNES183:prerequiste |
| KNES 290 - Teaching Fitness and Physical Activity Concepts | 3 |
KNES190:prerequiste |
| KNES 291 - Teaching for Sequential Skill Development | 3 |
|
| KNES 292 - Teaching Game Concepts and Tactics | 3 |
KNES291:prerequiste |
| KNES 371 - Elementary School Physical Education: A Movement Approach | 3 |
KNES183/KNES370:prerequiste |
| KNES 491 - Curriculum in Physical Education | 3 |
|
Total |
25 |
|
Support Courses - 21 credits
Course |
Credit |
|
| BSCI 105 - Principles of Biology | 4 |
Placement on Math110: prerequisite |
| BSCI 201 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
BSCI105:prerequisite |
| BSCI 202 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
BSCI201:prerequisite |
| 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
Students must be accepted at the college of education (details on how to apply on page 4) prior to taking the Education courses.
Course |
Credit |
| EDPS 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 |
Admission to the College of Education
Physical Education majors must be admitted to the College of Education “Teacher Education Program” prior Student Teaching.
View Requirements for Admission to the College of Education.Year-Long Internship/Student Teaching
Undergraduate students in the Physical Education Teacher Education Program are required to complete a total of 100 days of student teaching at Elementary and Secondary Schools. Students must complete 20 days of internship in the Fall semester (part-time) and 80 days in the Spring semester (Full-time).
Year-long internship/student teaching assignments will be made one month before student teaching begins. Students are responsible for transportation to the assigned school. Assignments are typically made to Montgomery, Howard, Frederick, Carroll, Anne Arundel, and Hartford Counties and are based primarily on availability of appropriate Professional Development Schools as defined by the State and the College of Education. Student preferences for assignments are solicited, but may not be possible.
Student Interns must not hold employment in the county they student teach and they must not student teach in the Middle School or High School they attended. Violations of policy may result in termination of student teaching experience.
Course |
Credit |
*KNES 390 - Practicum/Internship in Teaching Physical Education (FALL ONLY) |
3 |
**EDCI 485 - Student Teaching in Elementary School: Physical Education |
6 |
**EDCI 495- Student Teaching in Secondary Schools: Physical Education |
6 |
Total |
15 |
* Departmental permission required.
**SPRING ONLY – must be completed in the Spring semester after completion of KNES390.
In the Fall semester students are enrolled in “KNES 390 - Practicum/Internship in Teaching Physical Education” (3 credits). In the first week, they are required to complete 4 consecutive days of student teaching (i.e., two days in elementary and two days in secondary). The intention is to meet mentor teachers, staff and to become familiar with school’s routines and procedures.
The remaining weeks in the Fall semester, students must complete student teaching one-day a week. Students will follow their mentor teachers schedule for that day. Student interns complete a total of 8 weeks at Secondary and 8 weeks at Elementary School.
In the Fall semester students will also be taking the remaining courses in the program. Students are responsible to arrange their schedule so that they have one full-day blocked to be in the schools completing their student teaching.
IMPORTANT: Students will be cleared to full-time student teaching in the Spring (EDCI 485, EDCI 495; 12 credits) after successful completion of the following:
|
Students who successfully complete all requirements listed above begin full-time student teaching in the following Spring Semester. Students begin full-time student teaching by reporting to the same elementary school they were in the Fall. At this time they must go to their school every day (Monday through Friday) during school hours. Students are required to follow their mentor teacher’s schedule.
After completing 8 consecutive weeks at Elementary School, students must complete 8 weeks in the Secondary placement.
Physical Education Student Organization (PESO)
The Physical Education Student Organization (PESO) is a very active student organization in the department. Each spring, they raise money for the American Heart Association through the Hoops for Heart event. PESO members attend state, regional and national meetings of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Students have monthly meetings.
All students in the Physical Education Major are strongly encouraged to join PESO. Anyone interested in learning more about PESO is welcome!
Mandatory Advising
The physical education Major is very structured major. Mandatory Advising and completion of academic plan is needed to guarantee your success in the major. You must meet with you advisor previously registration date. You have a block in your account and you won’t be able to register without seeing your advisor.
- Dr. Ana Palla-Kane is the coordinator of the physical education major and your advisor.
- You will be notified by the Registrar approximately in the middle of each semester stating the specific date which you can begin electronic registration for the next semester. You should schedule an appointment with Dr. Palla about 2-3 weeks prior to your official registration date.
- You are accountable for your success in the program and you are responsible for knowing and complying with departmental and University regulations. If you have any question at any point in the program you need to contact your advisor. Be very clear of all requirements in the program.
- To arrange an online appointment, click on this link.
- You need to be prepared for your advising appointment. Review your academic plan and the schedule of classes to insure that are not scheduling conflicts.
Taking Courses at another Institution after Admitted to the Physical Education Program
Policy: Once you have matriculated at the UMCP, courses taken at another institution may not be credited toward your degree without approval in advance by the appropriate dean of the college in which you are a major. There is a limit to how many credits can be applied to your degree from another institution (60 credits from a two year school; 90 credits from a 4 year school). The Senate Committee on CORE recommends that you not take Fundamental Studies or Advanced Studies away from the university.
You are required to take your last 30 credits in your degree program at the UMCP.
- Set up an advising appointment. Make request of your advisor.
- Go to the Transfer Credit Website and find out if the course you want to take is equivalent to the one offered at UMD.
- Use the Transfer Credit Center to assist in determining course equivalence between most universities/community colleges and UMCP courses. This works particularly well for the University CORE requirements and support courses in biology and human physiology: BSCI105, BSCI201 and BSCI202.
- Complete and submit the online “Dean’s Exception to Policy form”. You need to request “permission to enroll at another university”.
- As soon as you complete your courses you need to request that a copy of your transcript be sent by the school to “The Office of Admissions” (Mitchell Building - University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2611).
a. We strongly recommend that you bring your official transcripts (sealed envelope) in person to admission’s office.
Applying for Maryland State Certification
After graduation, students seeking a position in Maryland apply for teacher certification on their own (or they work with their hiring county to do so).When students go out of state, you'll be asked to complete an institutional verification form, which you should send Dr. Kathy Angeletti for processing.
The Maryland State Department of Education website contains step-by-step directions for obtaining the certification. UMCP graduates from our program should choose the first option: "I am a recent (within the last five years) graduate of a Maryland Approved Program", and continue from there.
Contact the Program Coordinator
Dr. Ana Palla-Kane
Physical Education Program Coordinator
Department of Kinesiology
2361 School of Public Health Bldg.
College Park, MD 20742
Tel: (301) 405-2502 Fax: (301) 405-5578
