Physical and Health Education Concentration

The physical and health education concentration in the Department of Health and Human Performance is designed for students interested in teaching physical education and health education in grades preK-12.

Students in this concentration enter the teacher education program and complete program requirements leading to a teaching licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Graduates of this program obtain positions as licensed teachers in public school physical and health education programs. Some students seek positions in private schools or community based physical activity programs. The teaching license is often supplemented with positions of athletic coaching, driver education, and/or intramural directors.
 

Undergraduate Program

Students are required to complete core curriculum requirements as determined by the department and major requirements for a total of 122 hours for the bachelor of science degree.

The combined curriculum of physical education and health education prepares students for PreK-12 teaching positions. Students are also required to complete six hours of electives that strengthens employment potential in public schools such as coaching, driver education (endorsement), or technology. Some students might consider a minor in another academic area (e.g. biology, English, math, special education).

Students complete a semester long field experience in the public schools having two placements, one in an elementary school setting and the other in a middle or high school setting.

While not expected to be superior performers in all sports, students are expected to develop considerable physical performance and teaching skills in several physical activity and health areas. All teachers should enjoy working with children.

Students interested in transferring to RU in Physical and Health Education Teaching from a VCCS are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Arts and Science including the following courses:

• MATH 137 (MTH 158)
• BIOL 105 (BIO 101)
• PSYC 121 (PSY 200)
• STAT 200 (MTH 157, 240 or 241)
• HLTH 200 (HLT 116)

Admission to Teacher Education

The minimum grade point average of 2.5 on all college work, in the major, and professional education is required for admission to the teacher education program. Other requirements include combined coursework in physical education and health, departmental screenings and passing scores on the Teacher Licensure Exams: Praxis Core, the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) and Praxis II – Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge.

Students are required to successfully complete one semester of student teaching in the public schools. Discover information for licensure exams. Students are encouraged to visit the Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC) for Praxis Core tutoring to enhance a successful completion of the exam.