PAWSLibrariesGoSolaruLearnWebMailDirectoryMapEventsIndex

Health and Physical Education

Bachelor of Science (Undergraduate)
Program Coordinator: Deborah Shapiro, Ph.D
Faculty:  Barbara Greene, M.Ed., Terry Metzler, MS., Sandra Owen, M.Ed., Rachel Gurvitch, Ed.D.,     Mike Metzler, Ph.D.  Jacalyn Lea Lund, Ph.D.

Majoring in Health and Physical Education 2007-2008
The Kinesiology and Health Department offers a Bachelor of Science in Education in Health and Physical Education (BSE in HPE). Students take courses in curriculum, assessment, technology, teaching methods, instructional models and scientific foundation courses such as exercise science, biomechanics and motor learning and development. The curriculum covers elementary physical education through secondary physical education; adapted physical education and health. The program culminates in a semester of student teaching with placements at an elementary school and a secondary school. This major requires a 2.5 overall GPA.

Careers in Health and Physical Education
The Health and Physical Education program prepares students for employment in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade settings. Upon successful completion of the program, the College of Education recommends the student for initial certification in Health and Physical Education in the State of Georgia. Graduates of Georgia State’s program are aggressively sought after by the different school systems for employment.Many teacher candidates sign letters of intent before they graduate.

Undergraduate Curriculum for Students Pursuing a BSE in Health and Physical Education
Georgia State University requires all students seeking a baccalaureate degree to satisfactorily complete a basic core of general education subjects. The core curriculum is drawn in conformance with the requirements of the University System of Georgia and includes 60 semester hours of course work. The core curriculum is divided into six areas of similar subjects: A. essential skills; B. institutional options; C. humanities and fine arts; D. science, math and technology; E. social science; and F. preparation for a major. Regardless of the major, all students must complete areas A-E; area F of the core curriculum is designed to prepare students for the upper-division courses in a specific major. Once a student has completed all 60 hours of the core curriculum (areas A-F) then the student may begin to take upper-division courses in the major.

Students who are planning to transfer to Georgia State University from other institutions in the University System of Georgia should note that the core curriculum at another system institution may contain different courses. Please contact the Office of Admissions at (404)413-2500 for more information about transferring credits.

For those students seeking a degree in Health and Physical Education, the following is meant to serve as a guide. The semester hours required to fulfill the requirements for areas A-E can be found in the current Undergraduate Catalog at http://www.gsu.edu/ click on GoSOLAR, then Course Catalogs.

Students who have completed the junior level classes and meet the following requirements may apply to Health and Physical Education Teacher Education August 1 to begin taking senior level courses.

Requirements to enter health and physical education:

  1. Completion of at least 42 semester hours of college credit
  2. Completion of areas A, B, C, D, and E of the core curriculum, and EDUC 2110.
  3. A passing score of “C” or higher in English core and in EDUC 2110.
  4. A passing score on the Regents’ Testing Program.
  5. A passing score on the GACE Basic Skills Assessment.
  6. A grade point average of no less than 2.50.
  7. Tort liability and insurance in order to participate in field experiences.
  8. Departmental interview and writing sample.
  9. GSU Criminal background check

Area F. Courses Appropriate for a Major (18)
Students must complete coursework with a grade of “C” or higher in Area F prior to admission to teacher education.
Required (18):
EDUC 2110 Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education (3)
EDUC 2120 Exploring Socio Cultural Perspectives on Diversity (3)
EDUC 2130 Exploring Teaching and Learning (3)
KH 2130 Introduction to the Allied Fields of Health, Physical Education, and Fitness (3)
KH 2220 Musculoskeletal Function and Human Performance I (3)
KH 2230 Musculoskeletal Function and Human Performance II (3)

Area G. Major Courses (55)
Students must apply for teacher education prior to beginning the block courses (KH 4510, KH 4520, KH 4530, KH 4540, KH 4650) in Area G. To be accepted into teacher education, students must have a 2.50 composite grade point average on all undergraduate coursework previously completed; students must have passed the GACE Basic Skills Assessment (see http://www.gace.nesinc.com/ for more information) or presented official scores to demonstrate exemption; students must have passed the Regent’s Test; students must consent to a criminal background check; students must show proof of tort liability; and students must participate in an interview and writing sample with program faculty.

Students must complete coursework in Area G with a grade of “C” or higher.

Content
Required (39):
KH 3010 Performance and Analysis Area I: Movement and Rhythmics (3)
KH 3020 Performance and Analysis Area II: Training and Fitness (2)
KH 3030 Performance and Analysis Area III: Team Sports (3)
KH 3040 Performance and Analysis Area IV: Lifetime Sports (3)
KH 3100 Instructional Technology in Health and Physical Education (3)
KH 3250 Teaching Comprehensive School Health Education (3)
KH 3410 Assessment in Health and Physical Education (3)
KH 3420 Curriculum in Health and Physical Education (3)
KH 3600 Biomechanics (3)
KH 3610 Motor Learning and Development (3)
KH 3650 Physiology of Exercise (4)
KH 3700 Sexuality Education Inclusive of Students with Special Needs/Disabilities (3)
EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Student with Disabilities (3)
(or equivalent)

Methods and Curriculum
Required (16):
KH 3200* Instructional Skills for Health and Physical Education, P-12 (4)
KH 4510 Contemporary Instructional Models for Pre-K and Elementary Physical Education (3)
KH 4520 Contemporary Instructional Models for Secondary Physical Education (3)
KH 4530 Contemporary Instructional Models for Health Education (3)
KH 4540 Contemporary Instructional Models for Adapted Physical Education (3)

Area H. Practicum and Student Teaching (12 )
First Aid and CPR Proficiency: All students must have current certifications in First Aid and CPR (including infant, child, and adult) at the time of application to student teaching. Those certifications must remain current through the end of the student teaching term. Students may demonstrate this proficiency by attaining the appropriate certifications from the American Red Cross or by completing KH 3390 Advanced First Aid and Emergency Care (3).

Students must complete student teaching coursework in Area H with a grade of “C” or higher.

Required (12):
KH 4650 Opening School Experience (0)
KH 4710 Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education, P-5 (6)
KH 4720 Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education, 6-12 (6)

Total Program: minimum of 127 semester hours