Physical Education Teaching

Physical Education Teaching (MS)

Admission requirements 

Prerequisites for admission or equivalents are:

Undergraduate major/minor from an accredited four-year institution in the following areas:

• physical education
• recreation
• sport science/management
• education
• psychology

Obtaining a degree listed above does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Additional experiences and coursework related to working with children and movement will be taken into consideration for admission by the PET graduate program committee.

Candidates for the Physical Education Teaching - Adapted Physical Education Emphasis Program must meet the following minimum admission requirements:

• Meet all UWL graduate admission requirements
• Have completed or be enrolled in a physical education teacher preparation program¹
• Complete a successful criminal background check (initiated by UWL - see below)

¹The Physical Education Teaching - Adapted Physical Education Emphasis Program does not lead to endorsement for a Physical Education teaching license. Candidates accepted to the program must provide evidence to the program director that they have completed their physical education teacher preparation program and have applied for a Physical Education teaching license prior to the end of the fall term (second term of coursework). Candidates who are not able to do so may appeal for continuation in the program. Candidates whose appeal is not granted and are dismissed from the program are not eligible for tuition reimbursement. 

How to apply

Next steps

Certify your program of study

Candidates in the Physical Education Teaching - Adapted Physical Education Emphasis Program may elect to certify their program and receive UWL endorsement for a Wisconsin K-12 Adapted Physical Education teaching license (#1860). In order to certify the program, candidates must:

1. Indicate their choice to certify their program by the end of the fall semester (second term of coursework). 
2. Complete all Physical Education Teaching - Adapted Physical Education Emphasis Program requirements.
3. Hold a Wisconsin Physical Education (PE) teaching license. Candidates holding a PE license from another state must apply for a WI PE license through the Department of Public Instruction (a fee may apply). Interested candidates should contact the SOE Teacher Certification Officer.

Candidates who complete the Physical Education Teaching - Adapted Physical Education Emphasis Program without meeting all certification requirements will not be eligible for UWL endorsement for a WI Adapted Physical Education teaching license.²

²Candidates who complete the program without certification may request endorsement for a WI Adapted Physical Education teaching license at a later time, provided they have completed all current certification requirements. Endorsement after program completion is contingent on meeting all current program and WI DPI licensing requirements at the time of the request.

Criminal Background Check

The WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires that candidates for admission to a teacher education, administration, or pupil services program successfully pass a criminal background check (CBC) as one criterion for admission. By applying for admission to one of these programs, candidates agree to provide the necessary personal information to UWL in order to initiate their CBC, and to complete their portion of the process prior to the specified deadline. Applicants to programs leading to endorsement for licensure are responsible for all costs associated with their criminal background check(s). Admission decisions are contingent upon a successful CBC clearance decision by the UWL Office of Field Experience. Specific instructions on completing the required consent form and CBC will be sent by the UWL Office of Field Experience to the email address included on the UWL application for admission. Questions can be directed to soefieldexp@uwlax.edu.

Deadlines

This program uses rolling admission you may submit an application at any time*.

*To be considered for a graduate assistantship, you must apply to the program prior to the February 1st prior to a fall semester program start.

It may take a number of weeks to complete a graduate program application.  Specifically, you need to allow sufficient time for transcripts and recommendations to be received. Please plan accordingly.