Health and Physical Education, MEd

The Master of Education in Health and Physical Education offers both a 33-credit thesis program and a 36-credit non-thesis program. This degree includes emphasis tracks tailored towards specific career goals. Within this program, students can focus on (1) K-12 Teacher Certification, (2) Community Health Education,or (3) Adapted Physical Activity.

K-12 Teacher Certification

Students interested in earning PA teacher certification in K-12 Health and Physical Education can apply to this program. The majority of coursework can be completed online or through video conferencing, perfect for the working adult. Students in this track are required to attend a 4-week summer residency at IUP and complete a 6-12 credit student teaching experience. Teachers who are certified in another area and wish to add health and physical education to their credentials only need to complete 6 semester hours of student teaching. Students certified in another K-12 content area will complete an internship experience

Community Health Education

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.

Adapted Physical Activity

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 the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) Certified Adapted Physical Education (CAPE) exam.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science Department, the applicant must have completed the requirements for a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and must fulfill the general requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies and Research for a master’s degree. Selection of students will be through a screening process conducted by the Graduate Pedagogy Committee of the department. Other admission requirements to be admitted to the MEd in Health and Physical Education program include:

Fulfillment of general requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies and Research for a master’s degree
Fulfillment of requirements set by the College of Education and Communications

Program Requirements

I. Core Courses (12 cr.)

KHSS 517 - Contemporary Issues in School and Community Health Credits: 3
KHSS 634 - Current Literature in Health, Fitness, and Sport Credits: 3
KHSS 640 - Research Methods for Health, Sport, and Physical Activity Credits: 3
KHSS 680 - Seminar Credits: 3

II. Tracks

A. Teacher Certification* (24 cr.)

*Students completing Track A: Teacher Certification do not require elective or thesis credits. Those students follow Professional Practice requirements outlined below.

KHSS 526 - Health Science Instruction Credits: 3
KHSS 615 - Curriculum Design and Assessment in Health and Physical Education Credits: 3
KHSS 631 - Motor Learning Credits: 3
KHSS 645 - Advanced Teaching Techniques in Physical Education Credits: 3
KHSS 655 - Health and Fitness for Elementary School Children Credits: 3
KHSS 670 - Advanced Seminar in Adapted Physical Education Credits: 3
KHSS 675 - Fitness Technology for Health and Physical Educators Credits: 3
EDEX 650 - Exceptional Children and Youth Credits: 3
or
An approved course in Special Education

B. Community Health Education (12 cr.)

KHSS 520 - Health Education and Promotion at the Workplace Credits: 3
NURS 610 - Health Promotion and Social Issues Credits: 3
HSAD 605 - Epidemiology in Health Services Administration Credits: 3
or
KHSS 672 - Epidemiology of Physical Activity Credits: 3
KHSS 698 - Internship Credits: 3-6

C. Adapted Physical Activity (12 cr.)

EDEX 650 - Exceptional Children and Youth Credits: 3
KHSS 537 - Coaching Disability Sport Credits: 3
KHSS 631 - Motor Learning Credits: 3
KHSS 698 - Internship Credits: 3-6

III. Electives and/or Thesis (Choose One)

A. Thesis Option (9 cr.)

KHSS 795 - Thesis Credits: 3-6
Electives in KHSS or related fields. Credits: 3

B. Non-Thesis Option (12 cr.)

Electives in KHSS or related fields. Credits: 3

Professional Practice for Teacher Certification (6-12 cr.)

Students seeking certification as health and physical education teachers 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 EDUC 421 and/or EDUC 441 Student Teaching. A review of 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 certified as elementary teachers will complete 6 credits in secondary student teaching. Those certified as secondary teachers will complete 6 hours of elementary student teaching. Non-certified students must complete both the elementary and secondary student teaching for a total of 12 credits. A culminating activity is required. The total credit hours for the teacher certification track is 36 credits, and the total credit hours with certification is 42-48 credits.

Students seeking teaching 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 transcripts.