The M.A.T. degree in physical education (K-12) is limited to those candidates seeking teacher certification. Candidates who wish to pursue this degree and have undergraduate degrees in fields other than physical education, exercise science, or kinesiology will be required to complete undergraduate prerequisite courses.
The M.A.T. degree in physical education requires a minimum of 45 hours of graduate course work. In addition, candidates must take undergraduate course work in order to fulfill teacher certification requirements. The graduate program is normally two years. Graduation from the MAT. program requires successful completion of all course work, including internship/directed teaching and a comprehensive examination.
Learning Outcomes
- Content and Foundational Knowledge: Physical education students demonstrate an understanding of content knowledge. Physical education students can understand and interpret scientific and theoretical foundations and practically apply them in instructional content delivery in PK-12 physical education programs.
- Skillfulness and Health-Related Fitness: Physical education students are physically literate individuals who can demonstrate skillful performance and incorporate foundational fitness concepts and principles in physical education content areas and health-enhancing levels of fitness.
- Planning and Implementation: Physical education students can research, interpret and apply content and foundational knowledge to plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences aligned with local, state and/or SHAPE America’s National Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education through the effective research and applying recent data trends, resources, accommodations and/or modifications, technology and metacognitive strategies to address the diverse needs of all students.
- Instructional Delivery and Management: Physical education students engage students in meaningful learning experiences through effective use of pedagogical skills. They employ research, action-based research, communication, feedback, technology, and instructional and managerial skills to enhance student learning.
- Assessment of Student Learning: Physical education students research, select and/or design, implement appropriate assessments. They effectively interpret data to monitor students’ progress and guide decision making related to instruction and learning.
- Professional Responsibility: Physical education students demonstrate behaviors essential to becoming effective professionals. They exhibit professional ethics and culturally competent practices; seek opportunities for continued professional development; and demonstrate knowledge of promotion/advocacy strategies for physical education and expanded physical activity opportunities that support the development of physically literate individuals.
Admissions Criteria
Regulations and requirements for admission to graduate study and graduate degree candidacy for Initial Teacher Certification Programs correspond to those of The Graduate School. To be considered for admission to the M.A.T. in Physical Education, applicants must complete the Graduate School application process, which includes submission of following:
- Official transcripts
- Personal Statement
- Resume
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
Degree Requirements (45 Hours)
Graduate course requirements include the following:
Physical Education Courses (39 Hours)
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| PEDU 510 | Teaching Health Related Physical Fitness | 3 |
| PEDU 515 | Physical Education for Inclusion | 3 |
| PEDU 520 | Observational Analysis of Sports Techniques and Tactics | 3 |
| EDRD 500 | Content Area Literacy PK-12 | 3 |
| or EDRD 730 | Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Areas |
| PEDU 710 | Measurement and Research in Physical Education | 3 |
| PEDU 722 | Curriculum Development in Physical Education | 3 |
| PEDU 729 | Study of the Teaching of Physical Education | 3 |
| PEDU 730 | Psychosocial Aspects of Athletic Performance and Injury Rehabilitation | 3 |
| PEDU 732 | Analysis of Instructional Behavior in Physical Activity Programs | 3 |
| PEDU 778A | Directed Student Teaching in Physical Education I | 6 |
| PEDU 778B | Directed Student Teaching in Physical Education II | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 39 |
Educational Psychology Courses (3 Hours)
- As approved by the candidate’s program of study.
Foundations of Education Course (3 Hours)
- As approved by the candidate’s program of study
