Physical education

Master of education/initial licensure
(Minnesota state licensure in physical education)

The physical education initial licensure program is designed to help you become an inquiring, analytical, and reflective professional educator who can teach in various venues of the physical education classroom and who is prepared for leadership roles in the schools.

Program

Master of education (M.Ed.)/initial licensure programs are for individuals with bachelor’s degrees who want to become licensed teachers. These graduate-level programs provide rigorous, professional teacher preparation in accordance with Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers (SEPT) and content standards adopted in fall 1998 by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

Physical education students enter a 12-month program integrating educational theory with classroom practice. This program is offered by the School of Kinesiology at the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Three distinct, 10-week teaching experiences create a strong experiential base on which to apply the principles and methods learned in University classes.

An important advantage of this program is its cohort nature. Students begin classes together and continue through their course of study as a single group, building a valuable sense of community. Throughout their student teaching, pre-service teachers work closely with experienced teachers, observing firsthand the daily rewards and challenges of the profession.

This program includes two components: initial licensure and M.Ed. degree. After successfully completing licensure requirements, which include an “action-research” project, students are recommended for state licensure to teach physical education to grades K-12. After completing a total of 30 semester credits that can be applied to the M.Ed. degree, students are awarded the M.Ed. degree in applied kinesiology. Students have seven years to complete their degree, beginning with the first course(s) used in the program, and must maintain a 2.80 grade point average (GPA) for M.Ed. courses.

Curriculum

Students complete foundations, methods, and clinical experience coursework for licensure. Students are accepted into the program as a single cohort once each year, beginning classes in June and continuing through June, July, or August of the following year (depending on individual courseloads throughout the year).

Foundations courses

Throughout the program, students complete courses in foundations of education, including courses on psychological, sociological, philosophical, and theoretical foundations of education. These courses lay the foundation for developing a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in the field. Inquiry, analysis, and reflection allows prospective teachers to examine educational issues from multiple perspectives. Students must complete:

EDHD 5001—Learning, Cognition, and Assessment (3 cr)
EDHD 5003—Developmental and Individual Differences in Educational Contexts (2 cr)
- or three courses from the following list:
- CPSY 2301—Introductory Child Psychology (4 cr)
- CPSY 4303—Adolescent Psychology (4 cr)
- KIN 5103—Developmental/Adapted Physical Education (3 cr)
- KIN 5104—Physical Activities for Persons with Disabilities (3 cr)
EDHD 5005—School and Society (2 cr) EDHD 5009—Human Relations: Applied Skills for School and Society (1 cr)

Summer session (10 weeks)

The curriculum and pedagogy methods courses focus on developing basic instructional techniques and instructional components and knowledge structures for K-6 and 6-12 physical education. Elements of the technology course, which include the use of heart-rate monitors and specific software programs, are integrated into the pedagogy courses.

EDHD 5007—Technology for Teaching and Learning (1.5 cr)
KIN 6151—Theoretical Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction in Physical Education (2 cr)*
KIN 6521—Pedagogy I: Elementary Physical Education (4 cr)*
KIN 6522—Pedagogy II: Secondary Physical Education (4 cr)*
PUBH 6003—Fundamentals of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (1 cr) (may not be applied toward the M.Ed. degree)

* Counts toward M.Ed.

Note: Foundations of education courses may not be applied to the M.Ed. program, but are required for licensure.

Some of these courses may be completed throughout the program, including fall, spring, or summer sessions.

Fall semester

CI 5452—Reading in the Content Areas for Initial Licensure Candidates (1 cr) (can be taken fall or spring semester)
KIN 6596—Clinical Experience I: Physical Education (4 cr)
KIN 5152—Curriculum Development in Physical Education (2 cr)*

KIN 6596 involves participation in full days of pre-school workshops, nine weeks of half-day student teaching in an urban elementary setting, and Monday seminar. KIN 5152 focuses on how to determine and implement a comprehensive and cohesive K-12 physical education curriculum. Foundations, DAPE, or KIN 5981 classes generally round out the student’s individual schedule.

Spring Semester (through May term to early June)

CI 5452—Reading in the Content Areas for Initial Licensure Candidates (1 cr) (can be taken fall or spring semester)
KIN 5995—Research Problems in Applied Kinesiology (2 cr)* [“action-research” project completed during spring semester and May session of student teaching (KIN 6597 and 6598 timeframe)]
KIN 6597—Clinical Experience II: Physical Education (4 cr)
KIN 6598—Clinical Experience III: Physical Education (6 cr)* [extends through May session]

KIN 6597 involves another 10-week half-day student teaching experience and Monday seminar. KIN 6598 culminates the three student teaching experience with 10 weeks of full-day student teaching and Monday seminar. The action research project (KIN 5995) is integrated into KIN 6597 and KIN 6598. One or two classes held during the first half of the semester or in the late afternoon or evening may also be taken.

All student teaching experiences link the student with an experienced mentor teacher. Throughout the program, the initial teacher licensure elements of inquiry, analysis, and reflection are reinforced.

M.Ed. completion

The M.Ed. requirement is 30 graduate semester credits (5xxx or higher). At least 20 credits of these must be kinesiology courses, including the following:

KIN 4981—Understanding Kinesiology Research (3 cr)

KIN 5981—Research Methodology in Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport (3 cr)*

Students complete at least 10 semester credits of graduate electives; these credits are generally in the area of DAPE and coaching and must be approved by the faculty adviser.

See course descriptions and course schedules.

Admission criteria

Before submitting an application, all applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with the program coordinator to complete a transcript review and keep abreast of possible changes to admission requirements and state of Minnesota teaching licensure requirements.

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:

Content area prerequisites—Applicants must have a fully developed knowledge base of the subject area, as demonstrated by completion of appropriate content area courses (see content area). [Should be linked to www.cehd.umn.edu/students/Graduate/ILP/Physical.html] Students completing degrees outside of the United States must arrange for a transcript evaluation (see #3 under the “Application materials” heading below).
Classroom experience—200 paid or unpaid hours of physical education-related experience, with at least 60 hours in a K-12 public school mainstreamed physical-education setting. Mainstreamed classes may include students with special needs, but are not restricted to students with special needs.
Cultural and other diversity experience
Personal statement
Grade point average (GPA)—2.80 overall GPA at the time of application. The bachelor’s degree must be completed by the time of matriculation.

How to apply

Application Materials

All applicants must submit the following items:

Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, except the University of Minnesota. Transcripts must be received from the issuing school in a sealed and stamped envelope. Any student with a U.S. bachelor's degree or a comparable foreign degree from an accredited college or university may apply to CEHD. Official transcripts of all previous post-secondary academic study must be submitted. If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take four-six weeks, so please plan in advance. A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411).

All applicants must submit the following items with their online applications:

Résumé highlighting classroom experience, diversity experience, and other experiences relevant to your teaching field. The résumé must include the following details for each experience:
- Dates and total hours (e.g., October 2007-December 2007; two days/week to total 100 hours)
- Name and location of site
- Supervisor’s name and phone number
- Description of activities
- Description of the cultural background of the population with which you worked
Personal Statement that discusses how the experiences listed on your résumé have influenced your decision to become a teacher. Limited to two double-spaced pages, typed or word-processed, size-12 font.
Two letters of recommendation (submitted through the online application system) addressing your education-related experience, work style, and personal attributes. Include at least one letter from a K-12 site supervisor listed on your résumé.
Application fee charged when your online application is submitted. Fees must be paid with a credit card.

Nonnative English speakers and/or international students 

All nonnative English speakers must submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Exceptions may be granted for applicants who will have completed 16 semester or 24 quarter credits within the past 24 months in residence as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota.)

Minimum TOEFL score requirements are listed below:

Internet-based test	79-80
Computer-based test	213
Paper-based test	550

Applicants may also be required to demonstrate spoken English proficiency in an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and/or oral interview with faculty or staff. Contact Student Services for more information.

International applicants who will require an I-20 for a student visa must submit a Financial Certification Statement, which will be mailed to you upon admission to the program.

Apply Online

Apply Online
Be sure to save your PIN number and password, so that you can work on the application over time.
Take your time and follow instructions carefully, because once your application is submitted, you will no longer have access to add/change information or upload required supplemental material.
As your application is reviewed, you will receive e-mail notifications of your status.
Your application status and decision will also be posted in your application account.

Timeline

December 15—All application materials due

February—Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for financial aid

February/March—Committee review of applications

Late March—Notification of admission decisions

May 1—Deadline for University of Minnesota application for summer financial aid (eligible if FAFSA has been submitted)

Mid-May—Orientation and summer registration

Early June—Summer term begins. To be eligible to start the program in June, the student’s official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services by June 1.

Before you begin the program

Testing

The Minnesota Board of Teaching requires licensure applicants to pass several standardized Praxis Series tests administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). These tests are offered several times a year; students are responsible for registering for and taking Praxis Series tests by the required deadlines. Test information is available from The Praxis Series Information and Registration Bulletin, available at Student Services (612-625-6501) or the ETS Web site.

Students must pass the following tests to be recommended by CEHD for teaching licensure:

Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST). Students must take this test before starting the licensure program. Official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services before starting the program.

The following tests must be taken before licensure program completion:

Praxis II: Subject Assessments

Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Tests

See more details at Praxis testing.

Criminal background check

Before starting student teaching or practica, students are subject to a criminal background check required by the college. The investigation is conducted by a private agency contracted by the college and is designed to meet school district guidelines governing adults with responsibility for children. Decisions about candidate placement will be made by the district approving the assignment. For background check details and fees, contact Bob Utke at CEHD, 612-625-1084, e-mail: stuteach@umn.edu.