Friday 27 July 2012

Online Masters Degree in Physical Education with Program Overviews


Online master's degree programs in physical education are intended educators who already have certification and experience as physical education teachers. Most of these programs enhance skills of current teachers and increase opportunities for career growth and enhancement.

Program Goals for a Master's Degree in General Physical Education

According to Steadward and Wheeler's Adapted Physical Activity, to some extent all physical education (PE) programs are adapted to the students' needs. Most students do not need to have extreme adaptations made for them, so most programs for physical education teachers have a focus to produce knowledgeable health educators who can skillfully manage physical education programs in K-12 schools.

Program Requirements for the General Physical Education Focus

These programs generally require about 33 semester hours of coursework. Some programs require students to spend a couple of weeks at the campus during the summer before each of the two years of coursework. Other programs require or offer the choice of a comprehensive examination as the final course of the curriculum. Programs may also require a portfolio that shows the student's knowledge of physical education content.

Common Online Course Requirements for General Physical Education Teachers

Coursework for online master's degrees in general physical education is different from school to school. Courses that are common to most programs include:
  • Applied statistics
  • Enhancing performance
  • Motor development and learning
  • Physical education curriculum
  • Risk management in PE
  • Sport psychology

Program Goals for a Master's Degree in Physical Education for Children with Physical Disabilities

In recent years it has been recognized that students with physical disabilities have a right to an appropriate education. Thus they are often included in PE programs with students who have no physical disabilities.
There are a few online-only PE master's degree programs that totally focus on adapted programs, and their design and use. Courses are more based on research and more project focused than in general physical education programs. They are based also on goals and standards from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) and Adapted Physical Education National Standard (APENS).

Program Requirements for the Adapted Physical Education Focus

These physical education master's degree programs also require about 33 semester hours to complete. In most cases students must be licensed educators in the state that the school is located.

Common Online Course Requirements for Physical Education Teachers of Children with Physical Disabilities

An internship of up to 140 hours is required for practice in planning and carrying out physical education activities for physically disadvantaged children. Other coursework may include:
  • Adapted physical education
  • Issues and trends in physical education
  • Pedagogy for adapted PE settings
  • Assessments for children with physical disabilities
  • Partnering with parents of children with physical disabilities
  • Thesis, project or seminar

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