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2015-2016 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Bachelor of Science in Physical Education

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.

Requirements for a Major in Physical Education

Two emphasis areas are available for majors in physical education. Students seeking a major in physical education must select either the K-12 professional instruction or sport leadership emphasis.

Requirements for K-12 Professional Instruction Emphasis:

1. University Degree Requirements

As identified in the General Academic Policies section of the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog.

2. B.S. Degree Cognates: Physical Education Major (Credit Hours: 10)

The following B.S. degree cognate must be completed for the major in physical education.

3. K-12 Professional Instruction Foundational Courses (Credit Hours: 19)

4. Skills Development Activity Courses (Credit Hours: 5)

Selected from PED 100 through 179, one of which must be swimming. PED 180 courses may be selected and substituted for this requirement. PED 214 and/or PED 215 may be substituted for the 100-180 level swimming requirement.

5. Professional Instruction Emphasis Courses (Credit Hours: 24)

Physical Education majors selecting the K-12 professional instruction emphasis must meet all requirements of the College of Education if they intend to pursue teacher certification. The K-12 emphasis may also be taken by students who do not intend to enter the College of Education. Students must take the following courses in addition to the core curriculum, B.S. degree cognates, and skills development activity courses:

Requirements for Sport Leadership Emphasis:

1. General University Degree Requirements

Students will complete the general university degree requirements as identified in the General Academic Policies section of the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog.

NOTE: ECO 211 - Introductory Microeconomics Credits: 3 is suggested to fulfill a Social and Behavioral Sciences Foundations requirement.

2. Sport Leadership Emphasis Requirements (Credit Hours: 50-56)

3. B.S. Degree Requirements (Credits: 10)

4. Sport Leadership Electives (Credits: 9)

Elect 3 of the following sport leadership elective courses.

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Physical Education

Courses in the major and minor should be taken according to numerical sequence within the core curriculum, degree cognates, and emphasis areas. Attention should be paid to prerequisite requirements. Courses progressions are designed so higher numbered material mastered in a lower numbered course is available to be expanded upon or applied during subsequent courses.

Course schedules are planned to expedite taking coursework in the recommended sequence.

  • 100-level courses should be taken during the freshman year
  • 200-level courses should be taken during the sophomore year
  • 300-level courses should be taken during the junior year
  • 400-level courses should be taken during the junior and senior years

For the Core and Cognates

Note: BMS 202 must be taken before the following courses: MOV 300, 304.

Note: STA 215 must be taken before MOV 309.

Note: MTH 110 must be taken before STA 215.

For K-12 Professional Instruction Emphasis

First Year:

Second Year:

Third Year:

Fourth Year:

Fifth Year:

For Sport Leadership Emphasis

Attention should be paid to prerequisite/corequisite requirements.

First Year:

Second Year:

Sport Leadership elective

Third Year:

Fourth Year:

Sport Leadership electives

Final Semester:


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