The Master of Education in Health and Wellness Education offers several emphasis areas to meet the unique needs within the profession. The program consists of 30 credits in four broad areas: (1) Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification, (2) Community Health Education, (3) Athletic Coaching, or (4) Adapted Physical Activity.
Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification Specialization
Approved for individuals seeking Pennsylvania teacher certification in PK12 Health and Physical Education can apply to this program. The majority of coursework can be completed online, perfect for the working adult. Students in this track are required to attend a summer residency at IUP and complete a 6-credit student teaching experience. working teachers who are certified in another area and wish to add health and physical education to their credentials do not need to attend the summer residency. Instead, those students complete internships and shadowing experiences within their current district.
Community Health Specialization
Focused on advocating and instructing health-related topics in the community, government or private settings. Graduates can seek employment as leaders in agencies involved in the training and prevention of health-related behaviors and conditions. Graduates will have the prerequisite knowledge eligible to sit for the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.
Athletic Coaching Specialization
Designed to address career goals in athletic coaching at various levels. Graduates in this program will demonstrate knowledge and experience necessary to work as a leader in the sport coaching industry.
Adapted Physical Activity Specialization
Designed for students who have an interest in working in school, community, or recreational settings where adapted physical activity programs are offered. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to develop, instruct, and assess programming for individuals with various disabilities. Graduates will have the prerequisite knowledge eligible to sit for national adapted physical education certification.
Professional Practice for Teacher Certification (6cr)
Students seeking certification as health and physical education teachers (Teacher Certification emphasis) must also student teach as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students demonstrating acceptable levels of knowledge, skills, and disposition will be permitted to enroll in a Student Teaching experience. A review of the student teaching applicant’s graduate record will be conducted by the HPE Graduate Pedagogy Committee, which will determine if the student has met all requirements to move ahead with certification. Those who are determined to be deficient will not be permitted to student teach. They will receive a degree without Pennsylvania teaching certification.
Those who are already currently Pennsylvania certified teachers in another discipline must complete a six-credit culminating experience in the health and physical education environment.
Non-certified students must complete both elementary and secondary student teaching experiences. The total credit hours for the teacher certification degree program is 30 credits. Graduates seeking PA teacher certification will complete a total of 36 credits.
*Students seeking teacher certification in health and physical education who do not have prerequisite methods courses may be required to take additional courses. Individual programs will be designed based on a review of student transcripts.