Physical Education, Sport Pedagogy Concentration, B.S.

The Sport Pedagogy Concentration in the Bachelor of Science in Physical Education is offered by the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences at MTSU. This concentration offers students the opportunity to work within a wider range of teaching environments, such as coaching, officiating, recreation, dance, and fitness.

Program Description

The Sport Pedagogy concentration serves as an opportunity for those who have movement skills and instructional ambitions to pursue a physical education degree option. This concentration will not lead to teacher certification; however, it may be combined with several options for a minor, providing students the expertise to be employed in a wider variety of related fields.

Careers

Physical Education graduates can put their skills and knowledge to use in a variety of professions, including:

• Elementary physical education teacher
• Middle school physical education teacher
• High school physical education teacher
• Fitness/Health Centers:
  • Aerobics instructor
  • Athletic clubs/center director
  • Corporate fitness center manager
  • Fitness trainer
  • Health or fitness club manager
  • Personal fitness trainer
  • Somatics instructor
  • Strength trainer
  • Stress management consultant
  • Weight management consultant
• Recreation Careers:
  • Activities instructor
  • Aquatics specialist
  • Camp instructor/park ranger
  • Commercial recreation instructor
  • Correctional facilities recreation director
  • Dance studio director/instructor
  • Facility manager
  • Intramural/recreational sports director
  • Private clubs' fitness instructor
  • Resort activities instructor
  • Sports club instructor
  • Sports tour operator
  • Veterans' hospital recreation director
  • Wilderness therapy program director
  • YMCA/YWCA activities instructor
• Therapy-Related Careers:
  • Dance therapist
  • Movement therapist
  • Physical therapist
  • Recreational therapist
• Coaching/Officiating:
  • Youth sports
  • Interscholastic school sports
  • Collegiate sports
  • Adult recreation
• Other Related Careers:
  • Emergency services personnel instructor
  • Military physical education specialist
  • Professional dancer
  • Protective services personnel instructor
• Professional Associations/Organizations:
  • Administrative assistant
  • Assistant director of administration
  • Associate executive director
  • Director of communications
  • Executive director
  • Meeting and event coordinator
  • Membership coordinator

Requirements

Degree Requirements

• True Blue Core (TBC): 41 hours
• Major Requirement: 54 hours
• Minor: 15-18 hours
• Electives: 7-10 hours
• TOTAL: 120 hours

Major Requirements (54 hours)

• ATHC 3810 - Directing Intramurals
• LSTS 4110 - Youth Sport Programming and Administration
• PHED 2800 - Introduction to Physical Education
• PHED 3430 - Skill Themes: Games, Gymnastics, and Rhythms
• PHED 3720 - Fitness Education K-12
• PHED 3900 - Adapted Physical Education
• PHED 3930 - Concepts and Tactics of Teaching Games
• PHED 4400 - Motor Behavior
• PHED 4470 - Educational Rhythms for Teachers
• PHED 4910 - Applied Kinesiology and Biomechanics
• PHED 4930 - Teaching Territory Games
• PHED 4940 - Teaching Net and Wall Games
• PHED 4250 - Internship (6 credit hours required)
• Sports Pedagogy electives: 9 credit hours
• PHED 4000 - Pedagogy of Physical Education
• PHED 4001 - Pedagogy of Physical Education Practicum
• PHED 3300 - First Aid and Safety Education OR HLTH 3300 - First Aid and Safety Education

Minor (15-18 hours)

Students may choose between a variety of minors, such as Athletic Coaching and Officiating, Dance, Health, and Somatic Movement.

Electives (7-10 hours)

Curriculum

The following curriculum is the recommended sequence of courses. Consultation with an advisor is required each semester.

Freshman Fall

• Written Communication: 3 credit hours
• History and Civic Learning: 3 credit hours
• Creativity and Cultural Expression: 3 credit hours
• Human Society and Social Relationships: 3 credit hours
• HLTH 3300 - First Aid and Safety Education OR PHED 3300 - First Aid and Safety Education

Freshman Spring

• PHED 2800 - Introduction to Physical Education
• Information Literacy: 3 credit hours
• History and Civic Learning: 3 credit hours
• Creativity and Cultural Expression: 3 credit hours
• Scientific Literacy: 4 credit hours

Sophomore Fall

• Creativity and Cultural Expression Literature: 3 credit hours
• Non-Written Communication: 3 credit hours
• Quantitative Literacy: 3 credit hours
• Human Society and Social Relationships: 3 credit hours
• PHED 3720 - Fitness Education K-12
• PHED 3930 - Concepts and Tactics of Teaching Games

Sophomore Spring

• PHED 3430 - Skill Themes: Games, Gymnastics, and Rhythms
• PHED 4910 - Applied Kinesiology and Biomechanics
• PHED 4930 - Teaching Territory Games
• Scientific Literacy: 4 credit hours
• Minor: 3 credit hours

Junior Fall

• PHED 4940 - Teaching Net and Wall Games
• PHED 4470 - Educational Rhythms for Teachers
• PHED 3900 - Adapted Physical Education
• PHED 4400 - Motor Behavior
• Sports Pedagogy elective: 3 credit hours

Junior Spring

• ATHC 3810 - Directing Intramurals
• Sports Pedagogy elective: 3 credit hours
• Minor: 6 credit hours
• PHED 4000 - Pedagogy of Physical Education AND PHED 4001 - Pedagogy of Physical Education Practicum

Senior Fall

• LSTS 4110 - Youth Sport Programming and Administration
• Minor: 6 credit hours
• Sports Pedagogy elective: 3 credit hours
• Elective: 1 credit hour

Senior Spring

• PHED 4250 - Internship (6 credit hours required)
• Elective/Minor: 3 credit hours
• Electives: 6 credit hours

Faculty

• Dr. Don Belcher, Associate Professor
• Jennifer Ross Craze, Lecturer
• Mrs. Hillary M. Hodges, Lecturer
• Angela Ramos, Master Instructor Coordinator
• Francisco Ramos-Grasa, Instructor

Information

Additional Information

• Forms & Manuals
• Resources & Links

Degrees

For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS tab above.

Undergraduate

After completing the program requirements in Physical Education Teacher Education, students will obtain a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and K-12 teaching license. Sport Pedagogy graduates will receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Both concentrations consist of 120 credits, which includes 41 hours of General Studies.

Physical Education Teacher Education Program

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Physical Education is offered for students seeking a Tennessee K-12 Physical Education Teaching License. The major prepares teacher candidates in the areas of physical education content knowledge, instructional assessment, curriculum planning, and effective pedagogical skills.

Sports Pedagogy Concentration

Physical Education is a comprehensive field that engages individuals of all ages, abilities, and cultures in movement experiences that contribute to their growth and development. Students majoring in this concentration may choose between a variety of minors.

Physical Activities Program

The purpose behind the HHP Department physical activity courses is to introduce students to a variety of lifetime sports, games, and/or activities.

Graduate

Students may obtain a MPH degree in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health. The Physical Activity program is designed to enhance the pedagogical skills and knowledge of students who already hold a bachelor's degree in physical education.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) College of Education's teacher licensure preparation programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and are eligible for accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physical Education with teacher licensure program at MTSU is designed to meet the licensure requirements set by the Tennessee Department of Education.

Careers:

• Individuals who enter the teaching field are usually offered the option to coach in most schools or districts.
• Elementary physical education teacher
• Middle school physical education teacher
• High school physical education teacher
• Physical Education graduates have been hired by school districts all across Tennessee and in surrounding states.
• Physical Education graduates have opportunities in various other fields.
• Fitness/Health Centers
• Aerobics instructor
• Athletic clubs/center director
• Corporate fitness center manager
• Fitness trainer
• Health or fitness club manager
• Personal fitness trainer
• Somatics instructor
• Strength trainer
• Stress management consultant
• Weight management consultant
• Recreation Careers
• Activities instructor
• Aquatics specialist
• Camp instructor/park ranger
• Commercial recreation instructor
• Correctional facilities recreation director
• Dance studio director/instructor
• Facility manager
• Intramural/recreational sports director
• Private clubs' fitness instructor
• Resort activities instructor
• Sports club instructor
• Sports tour operator
• Veterans' hospital recreation director
• Wilderness therapy program director
• YMCA/YWCA activities instructor
• Therapy-Related Careers
• Dance therapist
• Movement therapist
• Physical therapist
• Recreational therapist
• Coaching/Officiating
• Youth sports
• Interscholastic school sports
• Collegiate sports
• Adult recreation
• Other Related Careers
• Emergency services personnel instructor
• Military physical education specialist
• Professional dancer
• Protective services personnel instructor
• Professional Associations/Organizations
• Administrative assistant
• Assistant director of administration
• Associate executive director
• Director of communications
• Executive director
• Meeting and event coordinator
• Membership coordinator

Middle Tennessee State University

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Overview:

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a large university with a small-town feel, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is known for its affordability, strong academic programs, and vibrant campus life. MTSU is a public university with a diverse student body, including a significant number of first-generation students.

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Services Offered:

MTSU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Financial Aid:

83% of students receive financial aid, with over $230 million in assistance available.

Campus Improvements:

The university has invested $1.5 billion in recent campus improvements and renovations.

Academic Support:

MTSU provides academic advising, tutoring, and other support services to help students succeed.

Student Life:

The university offers a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities to enhance the campus experience.

Career Services:

MTSU provides career counseling, job placement assistance, and internship opportunities.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

MTSU boasts a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community. Students can enjoy:

Large Campus with Small-Town Feel:

MTSU's 515-acre campus offers a scenic, park-like setting while maintaining a close-knit atmosphere.

Active Student Organizations:

Students can join over 200 student organizations and clubs, catering to diverse interests.

Athletics:

MTSU has 17 Division I sports teams, providing opportunities for both participation and spectator enjoyment.

Campus Events:

The university hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and sporting events.

Student Union:

The Student Union serves as a central hub for students, offering dining, a bookstore, a game room, a theater, and more.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Affordability:

MTSU offers the lowest tuition among Tennessee's three largest universities, making it a highly affordable option.

Strong Academic Programs:

MTSU offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate majors and concentrations, including highly ranked programs in areas like Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Audio Engineering.

Diverse Student Body:

MTSU is home to a diverse student population, including a significant number of first-generation students.

Vibrant Campus Life:

The university offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities, fostering a strong sense of community.

Career Opportunities:

MTSU provides career counseling, job placement assistance, and internship opportunities to help students prepare for their future careers.

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Academic Programs:

MTSU offers a wide range of academic programs across eight colleges, including:

Arts and Sciences:

Offers majors in fields like biology, chemistry, English, history, and mathematics.

Business:

Offers majors in accounting, finance, marketing, and management.

Education:

Offers majors in elementary education, secondary education, and special education.

Engineering and Technology:

Offers majors in computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Fine Arts:

Offers majors in music, theater, and art.

Health and Human Sciences:

Offers majors in nursing, health sciences, and human development.

Liberal Arts:

Offers majors in communication, journalism, and political science.

University College:

Offers a variety of general studies programs and interdisciplinary majors.

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Other:

• MTSU is the number 1 producer of college graduates in the greater Nashville area.
• MTSU is home to the first public Honors College in Tennessee.
• MTSU has more than two dozen Fulbright scholars.
• MTSU students, alumni, faculty, and staff have won 47 Grammy Awards since 2001.
• MTSU is known for its flexible programs that emphasize real-world projects and soft skills development.