Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Physical Education and Health P-12, BAEd
What Is the Study of Physical Education and Health?
The study of Physical Education and Health involves courses in Kinesiology, Behavioral and Cultural Foundations, Health Education, Physical Education pedagogy, and educational foundations. These courses prepare individuals to effectively teach pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students motor skills and movement patterns; develop their understanding of movement concepts, skills, and strategies; and facilitate students’ knowledge of health related concepts related to lifelong fitness and health.
The Physical Education and Health P-12 major must be accompanied by the Secondary Education Professional Program offered through Woodring College of Education.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
This major provides concentrated study of Physical and Health Education. Completion of requirements leads to Teacher Certification in P-12 Physical Education and Health (Health and Fitness). The program is unique in that it consists of four sequential five-credit blocks in Physical Education pedagogy with practicum experiences at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels in diverse teaching environments, allowing students concentrated time to develop teaching strategies while working with children and adolescents in the school based setting.
How to Declare:
Pre-Major: Declare a pre-major in P-12 Physical Education and Health at the PEHR office, CV 102.
- Enroll in KIN 301, 308, PE 340 and BIOL 348 fall quarter. Note: KIN 301 and BIOL 348 may be taken prior to application for the program.
- Complete all sections of the West B Exam with passing scores.
Admissions:
- Submit an application to the Teachers Certification program through Woodring College of Education. (See below) Contact Woodring Admissions for specific date.
- Submit a completed application packet for the P-12 Physical Education and Health program to the PEHR department in early October (see Department Advisors for specific date). Students are encouraged to submit applications as soon as they meet the minimum qualifications of Woodring College of Education. This can be done as early as spring quarter before applying to the program the following fall.
- Successfully complete BIOL 348, KIN 301, 308, and PE 340 with a ‘C’ or better no later than the end of fall quarter of junior year.
- Be admitted to the P-12 Physical Education and Health Program and the Woodring College of Education
Applying to the Secondary Education Professional Program
Admission to both Western Washington University and Secondary Education is required before a teacher candidate may begin taking courses in education. Post-baccalaureate teacher candidates must apply to WWU and Secondary Education for the same quarter. Requirements include:
- Undergraduate teacher candidates should have completed all GURs and 60-80% of their major endorsement credits. Those with less than 60% should contact a secondary faculty advisor before applying.
- Post baccalaureate teacher candidates should have a degree in their academic major.
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher overall or for the last 45 credits
- WEST-B test scores. This test is offered 6 or 7 times a year at various sites in the State. For details on registration and fees refer to the WEST-B website www.west.nesinc.com.
- Two letters of recommendation addressing your potential for success in teacher education. One letter must be from someone who can attest to your academic ability and knowledge in your academic major (ie: professor).
- Completion of an English composition course with a grade of B or higher
Application materials: Printable from www.wce.wwu.edu/Admiss
See Also: Secondary Education Professional Program Guide.
Other Information about this Major:
*89 credits in Physical Education and Health content area; 54 credits from the Secondary Education program including the student teaching internship.
Coursework
- BIOL 348 Human Anatomy and Physiology
- EDUC 301 Educational Psychology I: Development and Individual Differences
- EDUC 302 Educational Psychology II: Motivation, Learning and Assessment
- EDUC 310 The Teacher and the Social Order
- HLED 150 Consumer and Environmental Health
- HLED 151 Society and Drugs
- HLED 152 Society and Sex
- HLED 345 Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
- HLED 455 Health Education Grades K-8
- I T 344 Basic Instructional Technology Skills
- I T 444 Classroom Use of Instructional Technology (Secondary)
- KIN 301 Survey of Kinesiology, Physical Education and Health
- KIN 308 Human Growth and Motor Development
- KIN 311 Biomechanics
- KIN 312 Functional Anatomy
- KIN 320 Psychology of Sport
- KIN 410 Motor Control and Learning
- KIN 413 Physiology of Exercise
- KIN 422 Professional Issues in Health and Exercise Settings
- PE 340 Block I: Elementary Physical Education Methods
- PE 341 Block II: Elementary Physical Education Methods
- PE 341P Elementary Physical Education Practicum
- PE 440 Block III: Middle School Physical Education Methods
- PE 440P Middle School Physical Education Practicum
- PE 441 Block IV: High School Physical Education Methods
- PE 441P High School Health and Physical Education Practicum
- PE 442P Practicum in Physical Education
- PE 443 Adapted Physical Education Methods & Practicum
- SEC 410 Dynamics of Teaching
- SEC 411 Philosophical Foundations of Education
- SEC 425 Developmental Reading, Writing and Learning in Secondary Schools
- SEC 431 Secondary School Methods II - Assessment and Long Term Planning
- SEC 495 Internship - Secondary
- One course from:
- KIN 414 Physical Activity and Nutrition
- HLED 350 Nutrition
- One course from:
- KIN 321 Sociology of Sport
- KIN 323 Olympism and the Modern Olympic Games
GURs:
There are no courses offered within this major that may be used to fulfil GUR requirements.
Notable Alumni
Sample Careers
- P-12 Physical Education Teacher
- Health Education Teacher
Department
Contact
PE/Health – Education Advisors
LeaAnn Martin
CV 22, 360-650-3054
Derrick Mears
CV 106, 360-650-3106
For General Information
Sherena Geariety
CV 102, 360-650-3505
Secondary Education Program Manager
Janna Cecka
MH 401C; 360-650-3327
Secondary Education Program Coordinator
Debbie Gramm
MH 401A; 360-650-3327