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

• Major Requirements
• Schedule of Classes
• Department Website

• Minor offered
• Combined bachelor’s + master’s degree offered

Career Options

Common Career Areas

• Athletic coaching
• Education
• Fitness programming
• Marketing
• Outdoor education
• Personal training
• Recreation center management
• Sports events planning

More career info

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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