Physical Education (BS)

The Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education offers students two professional focus areas: Physical Education Teacher Certification or Physical Education/Health Education Teacher Certification. The core courses of the Physical Education major provide the biological, psychological, philosophical, historical, and social/behavioral science principles in the study of physical activity, exercise, and sport. Students complete the core coursework and select one of the options to complete their studies through advanced courses. Each option is organized to reflect the current scholarship and practices in the field and allows students to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and a philosophical understanding specific to their future role as a teaching practitioner in the field of Physical Education and/or Health Education. In addition, students have multiple early field experience in K-12 physical education or K-12 physical education and health education, prior to their capstone experience: a full semester Internship in Teaching leading to K-12 certification in Physical Education or K-12 certifications in Physical Education and Health Education.

Physical Education Professional Activity Courses

The 2000 level, 1.5 credit courses are letter graded for the majors and minors in the Department of Health and Human Performance only.

Physical Activity Skills Courses

The Physical Activity Skills courses are one credit electives designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn and engage in a wide variety of physical activities, with the goal of promoting health and lifelong participation in physical activity. These 1000 level courses are graded Pass/No Pass.

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Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sports Leadership Option; BS Physical Education, Physical Education and Health Education Teacher Certification Option; and BS Physical Education, Teacher Certification Option.

Physical Activity and Sport Leadership Option of BS Physical Education

Students may graduate with a BS in Physical Education (Physical Activity and Sport Leadership Option). The Physical Activity and Sport Leadership Option provides students with an option to equip students with foundational knowledge and skills for careers in a variety of physical activity and sport settings.

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Students who have a valid certification from professional organizations do not have to take  CPR/AED & First Aid; Basic and Instructor Training (HE 3670). Students must present evidence of current certification. Students must take another course(s) for a total of 3 credits offered by the Department of Health and Human Performance to replace  CPR/AED & First Aid; Basic and Instructor Training (HE 3670).

Physical Education and Health Education Teacher Certification (K-12) Option of BS Physical Education

The Educator Preparation programs at Plymouth State University are approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education. The University is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Teaching Education (AACTE).

Graduates who complete the double Physical Education and Health Education Teacher Certification Option are prepared to teach both physical education and health education and become eligible for K-12 teacher certification in the state of New Hampshire. Because of New Hampshire’s membership in the Interstate Certification Contract, Plymouth graduates are eligible to earn a certificate or license in another Contract state upon application to that state’s department of education. Receiving states may have a difference in grade range and may impose certain requirements that must be met within a reasonable period of time. For further information, please see the Holmes Center for School Partnerships and Educator Preparation section. Requirements for certification may change, subject to changes made by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Teacher candidates can find the most current standards at the New Hampshire Department of Education website.

Early clinical experiences within the university setting, practica in school settings, and the full semester teaching internship provide perspective to the theories and applications as learned in the core and double option.

Admittance into the Physical Education and Health Education Teacher Certification Option is based on the following criteria:

• minimum 42 credits earned
• minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50
• completion of 15 of the required 45 hours of community service
• passing PraxisTM Core Academic Skills for Educators
• meeting with the Coordinator of Teacher Education for Health Education, Physical Education, and Physical Education/Health Education
• 2 faculty evaluations
• minimum grade of C in each of the following courses:

  Course List

  Course	Title	Credits
  PE 2405	Concepts of Fitness and Skill Performance	2
  PEHE 2415	Introduction to Physical Education & Health Instruction	3
  PE 2424	Net and Wall Activities	1.5
  PE 2425	Lifetime/Leisure Activities	1.5
  PE 2440	Elementary Activities, Gymnastics and Rhythms	3
  PE 2550	Foundations of Physical Education (TECO)	3
  PE 2860	Adventure Programming for Physical Educators (WECO)	3
  PE 2950	Territorial and Striking/Field Activities	3

All Physical Education majors seeking teacher certification are required to become a Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America member by the time they enroll in Introduction to Physical Education & Health Instruction (PEHE 2415) and to maintain that membership through graduation.

Candidates in the Physical Education PE+HE Teacher Certification program need to be competent in the areas of Standard First Aid and Adult, Child, and Infant CPR/AED. Competency includes instructor certification. The requirement can be met by earning certification by completing a class at a college/university or through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council or Emergency Care Safety Institute. This requirement must be met prior to the Internship in Teaching.

All teacher candidates who interact with students in public school settings through course-related field experiences, including Internship in Teaching, are subject to New Hampshire state legislation that requires a full disclosure criminal records check completed by the university prior to acceptance into teacher candidacy by the end of the 2nd year(sophomore). This may include fingerprinting. The processing of the criminal records check is conducted at the site school before the clinical experience begins. The fee for this processing is the responsibility of the teacher candidate and is paid directly to the school district. Each new site will require a separate fingerprinting and background check. Inquiries should be directed to the Holmes Center for School Partnerships and Educator Preparation.

In order for teacher candidates to participate in clinical experiences in diverse settings that are essential for their development as teachers and required for accreditation, teacher candidates must be willing and able to travel outside of the Plymouth area beyond walking distances. All Internship in Teaching candidates should plan for and be able to secure their own transportation by the junior year.

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Instructional Strategies I - Elementary (PE 3020) requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50.

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Instructional Strategies II - Secondary (PE 4040) requires a minimum grade of C in Instructional Strategies I - Elementary (PE 3020) and Instructional Strategies I: Elementary Physical Education Teaching Lab (PE 3050), and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.60.

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Internship in Teaching, K-12 (PEHE 4730) require a minimum grade of C in Instructional Strategies II - Secondary (PE 4040) and Instructional Strategies II: Secondary Physical Education Teaching Lab (PE 4050), and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.70.

Teacher Certification (K-12) Option of BS Physical Education

The Educator Preparation programs at Plymouth State University are approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education. The University is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE).

Graduates who complete this Teacher Certification Option are eligible for K-12 teacher certification in the state of New Hampshire. Because of New Hampshire’s membership in the Interstate Certification Contract, Plymouth graduates are eligible to earn a certificate or license in another Contract state upon application to that state’s department of education. Receiving states may have a difference in grade range and may impose certain requirements that must be met within a reasonable period of time. For further information, please see the Holmes Center for School Partnerships and Educator Preparation section. Requirements for certification may change, subject to changes made by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Teacher candidates can find the most current standards at the New Hampshire Department of Education website.

Human needs and development, pedagogical principles, skill acquisition, the science of human movement and many other related topics are practiced and demonstrated. Early clinical experiences within the university setting, practica in school settings, and full semester teaching internship provide perspective to the theories and applications as learned in the core and option.

Admittance into the Teacher Certification Option is based on the following criteria:

• minimum 42 credits earned
• minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50
• completion of 15 of the required 45 hours of community service
• passing PraxisTM Core Academic Skills for Educators
• meeting with the Coordinator of Teacher Education for Health Education, Physical Education and Physical Education/Health Education
• 2 faculty evaluations
• minimum grade of C in each of the following courses:

  Course List

  Course	Title	Credits
  PE 2405	Concepts of Fitness and Skill Performance	2
  PEHE 2415	Introduction to Physical Education & Health Instruction	3
  PE 2424	Net and Wall Activities	1.5
  PE 2425	Lifetime/Leisure Activities	1.5
  PE 2440	Elementary Activities, Gymnastics and Rhythms	3
  PE 2550	Foundations of Physical Education (TECO)	3
  PE 2860	Adventure Programming for Physical Educators (WECO)	3
  PE 2950	Territorial and Striking/Field Activities	3

All Physical Education majors seeking teacher certification are required to become a Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America member by the time they enroll in Introduction to Physical Education & Health Instruction (PEHE 2415) and to maintain that membership through graduation.

All teacher candidates who interact with students in public school settings through course-related field experiences, including Internship in Teaching, are subject to New Hampshire state legislation that requires a full disclosure criminal records check completed by the university prior to acceptance into teacher candidacy by the end of the 2nd year (sophomore). This may include fingerprinting. The processing of the criminal records check is conducted at the site school before the clinical experience begins. The fee for this processing is the responsibility of the teacher certification candidate and is paid directly to the school district. Each new site will require a separate fingerprinting and background check. Inquiries should be directed to the Holmes Center for School Partnerships and Educator Preparation.

In order for teacher candidates to participate in clinical experiences in diverse settings that are essential for their development as teachers and required for accreditation, teacher candidates must be willing and able to travel outside of the Plymouth area beyond walking distances. All Internship in Teaching candidates should plan for and be able to secure their own transportation by the junior year.

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Instructional Strategies I - Elementary (PE 3020) requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50.

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Instructional Strategies II - Secondary (PE 4040) requires a minimum grade of C in Instructional Strategies I - Elementary (PE 3020) and Instructional Strategies I: Elementary Physical Education Teaching Lab (PE 3050), and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.60.

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Internship in Teaching, K-12 (PEHE 4730) require a minimum grade of C in Instructional Strategies II - Secondary (PE 4040) and Instructional Strategies II: Secondary Physical Education Teaching Lab (PE 4050), and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.70.

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

Required Options in this Major

Complete one option

Physical Activity and Sport Leadership

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

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Required for the Option

Physical Education and Health Education Teacher Certification (K-12) Option of BS Physical Education

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

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Required for the Option

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Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Physical Education, Physical Education and Health Education Teacher Certification Option.

Teacher Certification (K-12) Option of BS Physical Education

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

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Required for the Option

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Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Physical Education, Teacher Certification Option.

• Demonstrate disciplinary content and concept knowledge appropriate for an entry level practitioner/professional.
• Demonstrate competent performance of a variety of psychomotor skills related to physical fitness, sports/games, adventure pursuits, aquatics and rhythmic/expressive movement and psychomotor activities.
• Describe performance concepts and strategies related to skillful movement and physical activity.
• Describe and apply biophysical (anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical) and psychosocial concepts to skillful movement, physical activities and fitness.
• Describe and discuss current issues in the area of human performance based on historical. Philosophical and sociological perspectives
• Demonstrate knowledge of, and commitment to professional standards and ongoing professional development.