Four concentrations available in the Bachelor's Degree Physical Education Major:
Exercise Sciences
This program emphasizes scientific theory, research and application to variety of human movement, exercise and fitness issues and problems. Two options are available: exercise physiology and exercise specialist. Graduates of the program pursue advanced degrees in exercise sciences or work in clinical or applied settings such as hospitals, cardiac rehabilitation centers and physical fitness agencies and programs.
Health and Physical Education
Students can pursue multi-age licensure to teach both Health and Physical Education. These students must maintain a major and cumulative GPA of 2.75. This is a five-year undergraduate program requiring completion of 164 credit hours.
Human Movement Studies
This concentration affords students the opportunity to individualize an area of study through a liberal approach to education. A minor is required (e.g., athletic coaching, biology, psychology, sports management, sports medicine, etc.) and students select courses in sport studies to support their areas of interest or for preparation for a related profession such as athletic coaching, or physical or occupational therapy. Graduates of this concentration pursue graduate degrees in motor behavior and development, sport psychology and sports medicine or work in clinical settings.
The Human Movement Studies (HMS) concentration is anchored by the notion that the study of human movement is important in and of itself, as movement is a central biological and social phenomenon. The HMS concentration shares the core course requirements of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. Students extend their area of study outside physical education through the selection of a minor.
Through the HMS concentration, the School of Exercise, Leisure and Sport is committed to providing students with the opportunity to become critical-evaluative actors in their educational experience by designing an individualized Program of Study that situates their interests in the broad phenomena of human movement within a continuously changing society. The interrelated goals of transmitting specialized knowledge related to human movement, facilitating student agency, developing effective communication skills, and valuing human and cultural diversity are the bedrocks of the HMS concentration.
Teacher Education
The teacher education concentration prepares students for careers as licensed physical education teachers for children and youth (kindergarten through grade 12). The professional program requires a 2.50 GPA for all coursework at Kent State and a 2.75 GPA in the major for declaration of an education minor, student teaching and graduation. The teacher education curriculum is accredited by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Physical Education Teacher Education, Master of Arts
This forty graduate credit program is state accredited and leads to a multi-age (pre-K through 12th grade) license to teach Physical Education in the State of Ohio. The program is designed to prepare teacher candidates with competencies that meet the Beginning Teacher Standards of the National Association for Physical Education and Sport. Admission requirements include portfolio submission and an interview with program faculty. The program includes field experience components at the elementary and secondary levels, and culminates with a full semester student teaching experience split between the two levels.
