Physical Education (BSPE)
Instill the importance of physical activity
Our bachelor’s degree in Physical Education (BSPE) will prepare you to pursue a career in teaching physical education in schools from kindergarten through high school.
The P.E. program prepares you to teach children in a variety of urban and suburban educational settings, including both public and private elementary and high schools. You’ll learn theoretical principles of education, teaching techniques and curriculum development. Through our physical education degree program, you’ll also participate in field experiences in local schools and student teach in order to gain hands-on experience.
Classes
Coursework
- Adolescent and Adult Development
- Athletic Injuries
- Fitness and Conditioning
- Kinesiology
- Managerial Concepts and Practices
- Personal and Community Health
- Physiology of Exercise
- Principles of Marketing
Resources
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Athletic coaching
- Education
- Fitness programming
- Marketing
- Outdoor education
- Personal training
- Recreation center management
- Sports events planning
85%
of Physical Education graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.
Course Requirements
Biology Foundations: 8 quarter hours required
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
BIO 201 | HUMAN ANATOMY | 4 |
BIO 202 | HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
Introductory Courses: 8 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
SCU 207 | SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION | 4 |
SCU 336 | ADOLESCENT AND ADULT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
or SCU 337 | HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT |
Introductory Activity Core: 6 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
PE 121 | SWIMMING | 2 |
PE 151 | GYMNASTICS | 2 |
PE 213 | FOLK-SOCIAL DANCE | 2 |
Introductory Activity Electives: 8 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
Select four of the following: | 8 | |
PE 181 |
FLAG FOOTBALL | |
PE 182 |
VOLLEYBALL | |
PE 183 |
SOCCER | |
PE 185 |
SOFTBALL | |
PE 186 |
TRACK AND FIELD | |
PE 187 |
BASKETBALL | |
PE 276 |
TENNIS | |
PE 277 |
GOLF |
Physical Education Core: 18 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
PE 311 | MOTOR DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE LIFE SPAN | 4 |
PE 206 | PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY HEALTH | 4 |
PE 302 | FIRST AID: RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES | 2 |
PE 303 | ATHLETIC INJURIES | 4 |
PE 341 | HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION | 4 |
Advanced Courses: 36 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
PE 317 | PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 4 |
PE 325 | LANGUAGE AND LITERACY IN THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SETTING | 4 |
PE 372 | METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR PHYSICAL EDUC CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION-SECONDARY SCHL | 4 |
PE 346 | ORGANIZATION/ADMINISTRATION OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SPORTS & FITNESS PROGRAMS | 4 |
PE 351 | KINESIOLOGY | 4 |
PE 352 | PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE | 4 |
PE 360 | EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MEASUREMENT OF LEARNING | 4 |
PE 374 | ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION | 4 |
PE 390 | PSYCHO-SOCIAL ASPECTS OF EXERCISE AND SPORT | 4 |
Open Electives: 16 quarter hours are required
Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours. The following cannot be used to fulfill an open elective: WRD 98, MAT 94, MAT 95.
Student Teaching: 12 quarter hours required, grade of B- or better required
Registration in student teaching requires completion of all requirements and procedures above. EDU 95 indicates to the Illinois State Board of Education that all field experience hours are complete. All students also take PE 384 during the spring of the senior year (listed in the Liberal Studies section).
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
PE 378 | PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENT TEACHING IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION | 6 |
PE 379 | PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENT TEACHING IN SECONDARY EDUCATION | 6 |
EDU 95 | CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH (non-credit, non-tuition, PA grade required ) | 0 |
Licensure Tests
All individuals licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are required to complete licensure tests specific to their teaching license. Physical Education majors must complete the following tests:
- Physical Education Content Area Test (test #144) – assesses knowledge of health-related physical fitness, movement and skill acquisition, the role of physical education in promoting development, and the physical education program in schools. Test is required before Student Teaching (deadlines apply).
- EdTPA - assessment conducted during the student teaching experience including video clips of instruction, lesson plans, student work samples, analysis of student learning and reflective commentaries. Students will submit an electronic portfolio to an outside agency for independent evaluation and a fee will be imposed by that agency as part of the assessment.
Field Experiences
Each student seeking licensure from the College of Education / Professional Education Unit must complete supervised field experiences in appropriate settings in conjunction with education courses. The field experiences must include a variety of grade levels, multicultural experiences, and a minimum of 10 hours in special education settings. All field experiences must be completed prior to final approval for student teaching. Field experience hours should be entered by the student into the FEDS system when completing courses with field experience requirements. For details on requirements, expectations, documentation, & courses in your program that require hours, visit the College of Education website.
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