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MS Ed in Physical Education:
Emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction
with Initial Virginia P-12 Physical Education and Health Licensure

Admission requirements:

  • 2.8 GPA overall
  • 3.0 GPA in major
  • Composite score of 532 on PRAXIS I (SAT score of 1100 or ACT score of 24 may substitute for PRAXIS I)
  • GRE exam total score of 900 on verbal and quantitative
  • Must demonstrate computer literacy

Note: Up to six graduate credits may be transferred into the program from an accredited graduate program with permission of the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Physical Education Core (15 credits required)

ESPR 601 Adapted Physical Education Design and Supervision (3)
ESPR 606 Planning and Administration of an Effective Health and Phys Educ Program (3)
ESPR 620 Curriculum Development in Physical Education (3)
ESPR 639 Current Research in Motor Development (3)
ESPR 645 Assessment and Evaluation in Physical Education (3)

Physical Education Electives (9-24 credits, minimum of 9 credits required)

There must be at least 9 credits of electives earned at the graduate level for the Master’s degree.Additional credits above 9 may be needed to satisfy licensure requirements.Licensure requirements may be fulfilled by undergraduate courses equivalent to the content material in these elective classes.

ESPR 680 Problems in Health Education
ESPR 640 Principles and Concepts of Motor learning
HE 581 Teaching of Sex Education in the School/Community
ESSC 509 Exercise Physiology (or undergraduate equivalent)
ESPR 605 Principles of Movement Analysis in Team Sports for Physical Educ
ESPR 607Principles of Movement Analysis in Indiv Sports for Physical Educ
ESPR 609 Principles of Movement Analysis in Dance for Physical Educ
ECI 680 Reading to Learn Across the Curriculum
ECI 608 Philosophical Foundations of Education

Research Core (6 credits required):

ESPR 634 Statistics
ESPR 635 Research Methods

Internship Option (6 credits):

*ESPR 667 Internship (500 clock hours of student teaching)

Prerequisite for student teaching: Passing score on PRAXIS II Test of Content Knowledge (Form 0856)

Research Option (3-6 credits only if student teaching is not needed):

*ESPR 636 Research Problem
ESPR 698, 699 Thesis

* Passing scores on comprehensive examinations are required for graduation with the Internship or Research Problem Options.

Additional licensure requirements:

  • Maintain 2.75 GPA throughout program

  • These courses or their equivalents are also required for licensure in PreK-12 physical education and health by the Commonwealth of Virginia and are taken at the undergraduate level.

HE 230 Personal and Community Health (3)
HE 224 First Aid (3)
Biology 108 OR 115 AND Biology 250 (Anatomy and Physiology) (6)
EXSC 322 Kinesiological and Biomechanical Analysis of Movement (3)

PE 308 and PE 309 Driver’s Education Endorsement is strongly advised for any candidate wishing to teach at the secondary level.