Health and Physical Education Major

Faculty | Major | Minor | Required PE Program | PE Course Descriptions | Health Course Descriptions
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The purpose of the professional preparation program is to prepare the major for selected involvement within the broad field of health and physical education while maintaining reasonable flexibility for adaptation beyond the specialty area. This is accomplished through the offering of professional opportunities within two tracks, the teaching track and the professional track.

The Teaching Track

Admissions requirements for all teacher education programs are presented in the Department of Education section of this catalog as well as in the conceptual model of teacher education at The Citadel.

The professional physical education teacher must have an understanding of the meaning and significance of movement, the growth and development of the individual, and the application of physical, biological, and behavioral sciences to the actual teaching/learning process. The curriculum for the prospective physical education teacher is designed to build progressively upon meaningful concepts and experiences acquired within other disciplines as well as those which are unique to the profession. In addition, competencies which have been identified with successful teaching methodology are an integral part of the curricular content.

Completion of the curricular requirements may result in certification by the South Carolina Department of Education to teach physical education in grades K-12. Additional certification in health education may be pursued through 12 hours of required courses (*) and 12 hours of electives selected from among the following offerings. Successful completion of the health specialty of the Praxis II exam is also required.

Successful completion of RPED 250 (Contemporary Health Foundations) and RPED 251 (Foundations of Fitness and Exercise) will be credited as one contemporary health problems course.

The Professional Track

Alternatives to the teaching of physical education are available through two professional specialty areas: Health/Wellness and Sports Management/Administration.

The Health and Wellness Option is structured to prepare the student for professional opportunities in public and private health agencies, admission to physical/occupational therapy programs, and programming in America's $80 billion wellness industry.

The student in the Health/Wellness option must complete the professional track curriculum which includes six (6) of the following eighteen elective courses:

The Sports Management and Administration Option is designed to prepare the student for a multitude of professional opportunities which include community and industrial recreation, resort sports programming, intramural/recreational sports and varsity program administration in schools, and management in the fitness industry.

The student in the Sports Management/Administration option must complete the professional curriculum and select six (6) of the following seventeen courses as approved electives.