Master of Science in Physical Education Teaching - Adapted Physical Education Teaching Emphasis
BULLETIN: New funding opportunities available for APE Graduate Students
MASTERS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (35 Credits Total)
Core Requirements: (10 Credits)*
ESS 725 Diversity in
the Physical Activity Setting (2 Credits)
ESS 737 Curriculum Design in Physical
Education (3 Credits)
ESS 759 Analysis/Supervision of
Physical Education (3 Credits)
ESS 771 Current Issues in Physical
Education (2 Credits)
Adapted Physical Education Requirements: (13 Credits)
ESS 530 Disability and Physical Activity
Implications (4 Credits)
ESS 536 Assessment and Program Evaluation in APE (3 Credits)
ESS 537 Teaching and Service Delivery Models in APE (3 Credits)
ESS 765 Adventure Education for
Physical Educators (3 Credits)
ESS 787 Clinical Internship in Adapted
PE (3 Credits)
ESS 792 Seminar in Adapted Physical
Education (3 Credits)
CHOOSE EITHER THESIS OR NON-THESIS OPTION
Thesis Option: (12 Credits)
EFN 730 Introduction
to Research (3 Credits)
EFN 735 Interpretation of Statistical
Data (3 Credits)
ESS 799 Research – Master’s Thesis
(6 Credits)
Non-Thesis Option: (12 Credits)
EFN 730 Introduction
to Research (3 Credits)
ESS 736 Critical Analysis Project -
Adapted PE (3 Credits)
ESS 536 Assessment in APE (3 Credits)
Elective Upon approval of the student’s
advisor (3 Credits)
35 Total Credits
*Note: All students are required to pass a written comprehensive exit exam in their last semester. The exam will consist of one 4-hour session during which time the students will answer questions related to the following topic areas: legislation, assessment, behavior management, programming, and research design.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ESS 530 - Disability and Physical Activity Implications (4 Credits)
The etiology and effects of selected physical, sensory, mental, and emotional disorders. Content includes the full range of each category mild through severe/profound and the role of physical education in the education program.
ESS 536 - Assessment and Program Evaluation in APE (4 Credits)
This course provides an introduction to appropriate instruments and testing strategies necessary for assessing the gross motor development and health-related physical fitness levels of persons with disabilities. Students learn how to administer, interpret, and use the results of motor assessments to develop individualized education program plans that are utilized in either adapted or general physical education programs for students with disabilities. Prerequisite: ESS 231 (for ESS 436) or graduate admission to Physical Education Teacher Education program (for ESS 536) or consent of instructor. Priority enrollment will be given to students admitted to the Adapted Physical Education minor. Offered Spring plus summer as needed.
ESS 537 - Teaching and Service Delivery Models in APE (4 Credits)
This course focuses on adapted physical education teaching strategies and service delivery models in PK-12 settings. Instructional programming and best practices in early childhood, elementary, middle/secondary, and transitional programs for students with disabilities in adapted physical education are covered. Emphasis is on collaboration among professional service providers such as special educators, regular physical educators, and related service personnel (e.g. occupational, physical, and recreational therapists), as well as allied health and other community agency staff. School site visits and practical teaching are included, along with guest presentations on related disciplines and programs. Prerequisite: admission to the Adapted Physical Education minor and ESS 436, or concurrent enrollment or admission to graduate Physical Education Teacher Education. Offered Fall, Spring.
ESS 725 - DIVERSITY IN THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SETTING (2 Credits)
The class addresses, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and disability issues for which physical education teachers should have awareness. The purpose of the course is to sensitize the students to the fact that diversity is part of life in America and that a teacher needs to recognize that differences need to be understood and reflected upon so that the teacher can help all students have a positive educational experience. Pedagogical methods for integrating students will be addressed, such as inclusion techniques for students with a disability, culturally diverse games, and appropriate behavior management techniques.
EFN 730 - INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH (3 Credits)
Presents purposes, methods, and techniques in the conduct of research. Emphasis is on understanding the product of current research. Each student is guided through a self-selected problem.
EFN 735 - INTERPRETATION OF STATISTICAL DATA (3 Credits)
An introductory course in statistics, with the essential purpose of providing scholars with the tools to interpret and evaluate the results of research.
ESS 736 CRITICAL ANALYSIS PROJECT - ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION (3 Credits)
The student will propose an issue/problem for approval by the analysis committee. Upon approval, the student will conduct an in-depth analysis of the issue/problem. The end product will be a written document describing the student’s analysis and an oral presentation with the analysis committee.
ESS 737 - CURRICULUM DESIGN IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION (3 Credits)
This course provides an in-depth review of a variety of traditional and contemporary curricular models for physical education. Topics relating to philosophical perspectives/belief systems inherent in various types of programs will be included. Additional emphasis is placed on designing and producing an elementary, junior/middle, or high school curriculum for the future, and the evaluation model, which could be used to assess its effectiveness.
ESS 752 - ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS (3 Credits)
Students will learn to utilize assessment strategies and data to improve instruction and program effectiveness. Emphasis on the use of assessment data to document effectiveness, and increase accountability of physical education and athletic programs.
ESS 759 - ANALYSIS/SUPERVISION OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION (3 Credits)
Designed to present current research related to effective teaching in physical education, provide quantitative and qualitative techniques to gather information about and analyze teaching, and how to apply the principles of clinical supervision in physical education for the improvement of instruction. Additional emphasis will also be given to the personal assessment of teaching and the need for the characteristics of effective staff development activities.
ESS 765 - ADVENTURE EDUCATION FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATORS (3 Credits)
This course focuses on methods, safety, research, and management of adventure education programs and initiative games in the physical education curriculum. Implementation of adventure activities with different age groups and diverse populations in physical education programs will be emphasized, as well as the principles and challenges of teaching adventure education. The use of unique environments such as rope courses and climbing walls will be included.
ESS 771 - CURRENT ISSUES IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION (2 Credits)
Identification of current trends and issues in physical education. Emphasis is on development of methods for resolving issues. Opportunities for the students to pursue professional issues of current interest will be encouraged.
ESS 787 - CLINICAL INTERNSHIP IN ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION (3 Credits)
The student will have a series of three different (1-credit) clinical experiences, each a semester in length. Clinical experiences include infant (0-2 years) stimulation programs, related services, motor development and physical fitness programs for persons with disabilities, and school-based adapted physical education programs.
ESS 792 - SEMINAR IN ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION (3 Credits)
There will be a series of three 1-credit seminars. The course is designed to provide in-depth analysis of topics and issues in Special Physical education. During each semester, selected topics will be highlighted for analysis. Students will be provided with guest lectureships from professionals in the selected areas and will engage in information sharing and critical analysis of issues based upon outside readings.
ESS 799 - RESEARCH: MASTER’S THESIS (6 Credits)
An independent research project is to be selected and executed under the direction of a staff member by those students electing to write a thesis. The project may be in any of the areas related to physical education, such as health, recreation, or athletics.