The mission of Health and Physical Education is to develop exemplary practitioners. The emphasis of the program is on building skills for teaching student learners in Georgia K-12 health and physical education programs. The program focuses on the promotion of lifetime health, wellness, and physical activity.

For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program map, which provides a guide for students to plan their course of study, is available for download in the Courses tab below.

The mission of Health and Physical Education is to develop exemplary practitioners. The emphasis of the program is on building skills for teaching student learners in K-12 health and physical education programs. The program focuses on the promotion of lifetime health, wellness, and physical activity.

All non-residents and international students (whether taking online courses or not) must check to ensure that UWG is allowed to enroll residents of your state or country. For questions regarding out-of-state licensure, please visit our Professional Licensure Regulations webpage.

Career Opportunities

Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/Kinesiology.And.Exercise-Science External Resource

Program Location

Carrollton Campus

Method of Delivery

Most courses are delivered face to face with a small selection of courses being offered that are hybrid (partially online) or fully online.

Accreditation

The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Credit and transfer

Total semester hours required: 123
A transfer credit evaluation will be completed by the UWG Transfer Team (transfer@westga.edu). Course application to a program is subject to review by the department.

This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.

Save money

UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.

Details

  • Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
  • The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
  • Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
  • Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
  • Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
  • One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
  • For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website

There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.

Coursework

This describes the general course work required for this program. 

Downloads

Major Required

An introduction to the psychological theories and principles applied to the classroom. The course will include aspects of learning, motivation, classroom management, and assessment. Emphasis will be placed on developmentally designed instruction for all students.

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This course concentrates on ways to integrate technology into the health and physical education curriculum. Students will utilize the latest in technology to enhance instruction in the gym. Students will build on their basic computer skills and develop instructional proficiency in the following areas: (1) Georgia's Performance Standards for Curriculum, (2) Integration of Modem and Emerging Technologies into Instructional Practice, (3) Classroom Management in the Classroom and the Gymnasium, (4) New Designs for Teaching and Learning, and (5) Enhanced Pedagogical Practices. This course satisfies the Georgia Special Technology Requirement. Laboratory experiences will be included in the course. Requires a minimum of 9 hours of upper education course work.

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This course focuses on the development stages of selected motor patterns fundamental to educational games, gymnastics, and dance. Students develop and practice the skill theme approach to teaching fundamental movement patterns to elementary and middle school students. Students also develop observation and analysis skills for diagnosing children's motor patterns.

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This course increases students' knowledge, skills and strategies related to strength and conditioning including weight training, cardiovascular endurance, health-related fitness, performance-related fitness, and flexibility. Focus is on skill development in order to provide K-12 students with accurate information, demonstrations and performance analysis.

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This course increases students' knowledge, skills and strategies in target and outdoor activities including golf, track and field, orienteering and softball. Focus is on skill development in order to provide K-12 students with accurate information, demonstrations and performance analysis.

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This course increases students' knowledge, skills and strategies in net and wall games including badminton, pickle ball, tennis and volleyball. Focus is on skill development in order to provide K-12 students with accurate information, demonstrations and performance analysis.

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This course increases students' knowledge, skills and strategies in invasion games including basketball, flag football, soccer, team handball and ultimate Frisbee. Focus is on skill development in order to provide K-12 students with accurate information, demonstrations and performance analysis.

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This course provides students with the basic pedagogical skills and knowledge related to teaching health and physical education in k-12 settings. The course includes a study of management and instructional strategies appropriate for health and physical education. Students develop and build teaching skills through observations and practicing effective teaching behaviors through peer teaching.

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This course develops pedagogical skills and knowledge related to teaching physical education to children (K-5). The course develops an understanding of the characteristics and needs of children, developmentally appropriate curriculum content in elementary school physical education and effective teaching skills for elementary school physical education. The course provides observation experiences in both the classroom and gymnasium and requires students to plan, teach and evaluate physical education lessons.

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This course develops pedagogical skills and knowledge related to teaching physical education to middle and secondary school students. The course develops an understanding of the characteristics and needs of middle and secondary students, developmentally appropriate curriculum content in middle and secondary school physical education and effective teaching skills for middle and secondary school physical education. The course provides opportunities to observe in the gymnasium and outdoor environments and to plan, teach and evaluate physical education lessons.

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This course emphasizes accountability and the assessment of teaching, learning and performance using formative and summative evaluation procedures. Topics include selection and use of appropriate instruments and tests and assessments of the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains in health and physical education. Take concurrently with PHED 3671.

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This course provides practical field experiences in public school and community settings. Students observe and apply knowledge gained for adapting physical activities while working with exceptional children and youth in inclusive and adapted physical education settings and with special programs and events. Students gain an awareness of and appreciation for the challenges faced by exceptional individuals and their families.

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This course focuses on the behavioral, social, economic and community factors that influence health. Students examine the influences of the family, school and culture on a child's health and well-being. Emphasis is on current family health issues, relationships, communication, safety, consumer health, social-emotional needs, and gender issues. The course includes teaching strategies , directed field observation, and peer teaching.

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This course focuses on current school health education topics. Topics include alcohol, tobacco and drug education; human sexuality; HIV/AIDS; sexually transmitted infections and school violence. This course also addresses qualities of effective curricula, content standards, instructional strategies and lesson and unit plan preparation for classroom based instruction. Students observe, develop and implement developmentally appropriate instructional strategies in public schools and in other community group settings. Take concurrently with PHED 4501.

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This class focuses on the physiological responses and adaptations of the human body during exercise. In depth analysis of the responses of the respiratory, circulatory, and muscular systems will be a major focus. Pre-participation health screening, biometric and fitness assessment, and participant goals will be considered to design individualized training programs. Laboratory activities include data collection and analysis, exercise programming case studies, and exercise demonstration and instruction practice.

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This course is a comprehensive introduction to the coaching profession. A majority of the emphasis is on team and individual sports at the high school, middle school, recreational and club levels. Some emphasis is on sports at the collegiate level. The primary goal of the course is to develop and enhance students' knowledge and understanding of concepts and techniques of coaching and their application to achieving important objectives in working with athletes. The course combines sport science theory and research with the practical knowledge and methods of expert coaches in the essential categories of coaching education and professional practice. Guiding principles and practical applications are presented and thoroughly explained for several dimensions of coaching.

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Practical teaching experience in a public school under the supervision of a qualified teacher. Laboratory experience included in course. Requires completion of all other professional courses with a grade of C or better; must be taken concurrently with PHED 4689.

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This seminar develops heightened professionalism through seminars and reflection focused on issues, topics, skills, materials, and technology appropriate to the teaching experience. This seminar is taken concurrently with the teaching internship. Requires completion of all other professional courses with a grade of C or better; must be taken concurrently with PHED 4686.

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Study of characteristics, identification and assessment of exceptional children and youth across age ranges and levels of severity, including individualizing instruction in inclusive classrooms. 'Best' ranges and levels of severity, teaching practices for this population also will be examined. Designed for non-special education majors. Students must earn a grade of "B" or better in SPED 3715 or department approved alternative to meet the special education requirement of Georgia House Bill No. 671 and be recommended for educator certification in Georgia. The grade requirement of "B" or better is effective 07/01/2019 for courses completed on or after that date.

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Collin Brooks, Ph.D

Collin Brooks, Ph.D

Assistant Professor

Brent Heidorn, Ph.D.

Brent Heidorn, Ph.D.

Professor

Guidelines for Admittance

Each UWG online degree program has specific requirements that you must meet in order to enroll.

Program Specific Admittance Guidelines

After completion of core, students must be admitted to Techer Education to continue into their Professional Education courses. For more information about admission to Teacher Education: https://www.westga.edu/academics/education/advisement/admission-teacher-education.php

Application Deadlines

Current Student Teacher Education admission deadlines: https://www.westga.edu/academics/education/advisement/teacher_education_application_deadlines.php

Admission Process Checklist

  1. Review Admission Requirements for the different programs and guides for specific populations (non-traditional, transfer, transient, home school, joint enrollment students, etc).
  2. Review important deadlines:
    • Fall semester: June 1 (undergrads)
    • Spring semester: November 15 (undergrads)
    • Summer semester: May 15 (undergrads)
      See program specific calendars here
  3. Complete online application
    Undergraduate Admissions Guide

    Undergraduate Application

    Undergraduate International Application

  4. Submit $30 non-refundable application fee
  5. Submit official documents

    Request all official transcripts and test scores be sent directly to UWG from all colleges or universities attended. If a transcript is mailed to you, it cannot be treated as official if it has been opened. Save time by requesting transcripts be sent electronically.

    Undergraduate & Graduate Applicants should send all official transcripts to:
    Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Murphy Building
    University of West Georgia
    1601 Maple Street
    Carrollton, GA 30118-4160
  6. Submit a Certificate of Immunization, if required. If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.
  7. Check the status of your application
  8. For more information go to UWG Undergraduate Admission Deadlines

Contact

Dr. Brian Mosier

bmosier@westga.edu

678-839-5424

Advisement information: College of Education Advising

Specific dates for admissions (Undergraduates Only), go to: UWG Undergraduate Admission Deadlines

  • Scientific and Theoretical Knowledge: Physical education teacher candidates know and apply discipline-specific scientific and theoretical concepts critical to the development of physically educated individuals.
  • Skill and Fitness Based Competence: Physical education teacher candidates are physically educated individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate competent movement performance and health enhancing fitness as delineated in the NASPE K-12 Standards.
  • Planning and Implementation: Physical education teacher candidates plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences aligned with local, state, and national standards to address the diverse needs of all students.
  • Instructional Delivery and Management: Physical education teacher candidates use effective communication and pedagogical skills and strategies to enhance student engagement and learning.
  • Impact on Student Learning: Physical education teacher candidates utilize assessments and reflection to foster student learning and inform instructional decisions.
  • Professionalism: Physical education teacher candidates demonstrate dispositions essential to becoming effective professionals.