Adapted Physical Education emphasis overview

Admission

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)

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 (PI 34.018(2)). 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 deadline specified in their admission letter. Teacher candidates are responsible for all costs associated with their criminal background check(s).

Certification option

Candidates in the Physical Education Teaching - Adapted Physical Education Emphasis program may elect to certify their program and receive UWL endorsement for a Wisconsin Adapted Physical Education teaching license. 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 may 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 certifying their program will not be eligible for UWL endorsement for a WI Adapted Physical Education teaching license.

Curriculum

36-39 credits

Category A - research

• Thesis option  

• Non-thesis option 

Category B - core requirements

Category C - adapted physical education teaching requirements

Thesis option: 13 credits
Non-thesis option: 16 credits

University graduate degree requirements

After being admitted to the program of one's choice, candidates for a graduate degree must:

1. Complete any preliminary course work and deficiencies.
2. Complete all courses and other program requirements, including residence requirements prescribed for the degree desired in the respective school or college within a seven-year period from the date of initial enrollment, with the exception of students enrolled in the Student Affairs Administration and Leadership Ed.D. (SAA Ed.D.) graduate program. SAA Ed.D. students must complete all degree requirements within ten years from the time of initial enrollment in the graduate program.
3. Earn a minimum of 30 credits for a master's degree; 54 credits for a doctorate or post-master's degree. Earn at least one-half of the minimum number of credits required in the program in graduate-only level courses (700, 800, 900, and non-slash 600 level courses). Some UWL graduate programs require more than 30 graduate credits. Please review the individual program requirements listed in the catalog for the exact number of credits required.
4. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00.
5. Satisfy dissertation, thesis, seminar paper, terminal/graduate projects and internships, or comprehensive examination, where applicable. A dissertation or thesis approved by the committee must be submitted to Graduate Studies for editorial review and approval by the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning. The recommended initial submission date for review is two weeks before commencement. Ordinarily, a seminar paper or project report does not have to be approved by the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning. However, if the seminar paper or project report is to be archived in Murphy Library, the student must follow the same rules as they apply to the dissertation/thesis requiring approval from the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning. For further research/dissertation/thesis guidelines, see Graduate & Extended Learning.
6. File a completed "Intent to Graduate" form online via the WINGS Student Center immediately following registration for the final semester or summer term in residence. December graduates and winter intersession should file by May 1. May and summer graduates should file by December 1.
7. Pay the graduation fee and remove all other indebtedness to the university. Payment of graduation fees does not imply readiness for graduation and does not take the place of applying for graduation.
8. Complete all requirements within 30 days after the official ending date of a term in order for a degree to be awarded for that term. (See #5 above for separate deadline for written capstone experience.)