Kinesiology, BSE - Physical Education Teacher Education

Requirements for Program

The Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion offers undergraduate courses and degree programs in Physical Education Teacher Certification and Health Education Teacher Certification. These programs support the UK educator preparation unit’s theme of Research and Reflection for Learning and Leading. The process of reflective decision-making is embedded in the departmental philosophy that students learn best through experiencing. The physical education teacher certification program is guided by the standards of the Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE), and the Kentucky Teacher Performance Standards.

The Physical Education Teacher Certification program ensures an understanding of and knowledge about the structure of physical education through the content courses of individual and team sports, dance, lifetime activities, methods, and adapted physical education. Application of this knowledge is demonstrated in physical education to ensure discipline knowledge for teaching.

The B.S. in Education with a major in Physical Education Teacher Certification requires completion of: (1) the UK Core requirements; (2) specified course work in Program Related Studies and Professional Education; and (3) one of the Physical Education Teacher Certification plans. All Physical Education Teacher Certification students are encouraged to complete Plan 1, which includes majors in Physical Education Teacher Certification and Health Education Teacher Certification, so that on graduating they will be qualified to pursue state teaching certification in physical education and health, grades P-12. In addition, students who choose to major in either Physical Education Teacher Certification or Health Education Teacher Certification only, must pick up a university-approved minor, and are only certified to teach in the single discipline selected.

Continuous Assessment

1. All students in the Physical Education Teacher Certification program are expected to meet the standards and rules for Admission, Retention, and Exit from Teacher Education Programs as set forth in the section Admission, Retention and Completion from Teacher Education Programs ”.
2. The Physical Education Teacher Certification program stimulates higher performance goals for high-performing students by offering several modes of performance. Examples are: (a) skills in performing physical activities; (b) skills in writing and oral presentations in theory courses; (c) computer technological skills in some courses; and (d) leadership skills demonstrated by high-performing students who serve as class leaders, peer tutors, and/or assistant instructors.
3. After admittance to the program, students not only must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA, they must continue to exhibit desirable professional characteristics to remain in the program. Students who demonstrate a lack of commitment, effort, professional behavior, knowledge, or teaching skills may be removed from the program until these characteristics are demonstrated.