Physical Education Area of Concentration, Arts and Sciences AA
This AA area of concentration provides the first two years of a teacher preparation program for the elementary and secondary grade levels. Based upon introducing students to the Shape America National Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) for entry level physical education teachers, this curriculum prepares students to transfer to four year institutions with a broad-based background in the study of human movement and education theory and psychology.
The program allows the students to fulfill their general education requirements, participate in field work experience, as well as complete a core of professional preparation work that is appropriate for students in their first two years of the physical education major.
Courses will address pedagogy, psychology, motor skill, and movement abilities, as well as health and fitness promotion.
Why Physical Education?Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Identify historical, philosophical, and social perspectives of physical education issues and legislation.
- Analyze and correct elements of motor skills and performance concepts.
- Develop and implement appropriate (e.g. measureable, developmentally appropriate, performance-based) goals and objectives aligned with local, state, and/or national objectives.
- Design and implement content and assessments that are aligned with lesson objectives.
- Demonstrate knowledge of current technology by planning and implementing learning experiences that require students to appropriately use technology to meet lesson objectives.
- Implement effective demonstrations, explanations, and instructional cues and prompts to link physical activity concepts to appropriate learning experiences.
Program Advising
Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer. The program advising guide outlines the degree requirements and is meant to supplement the advising process.
Transfer Opportunities
The physical education teacher education program is the only community college program in the region, and one of the few nationally, that offers the associate of arts degree. MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions, and a formalized articulation agreement for the AA in Physical Education Teacher Education Area of Concentration for transfer toward BA in Physical Education Teaching Field, PreK-Adult. See all transfer agreements.
Careers
For some positions listed, a bachelor's degree or higher may be required. Use the Career and Program Explorer to see a full report for this career field. See links below chart for further guidance and/or connect with a Program Advisor to discuss career goals.
Physical educators can work in both public and private schools at the kindergarten through twelfth grade level. Physical education teachers are responsible for training students in a variety of movement skills and activities to ensure that, as adults, they will have the confidence to be active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Related careers include physical education teacher, and various positions working with parks, recreation, and sport industries.
- MC Student Employment Services: Speak with the Student Employment Specialist for help with resume writing, interviewing, setting up a College Central Network (CCN)new window account and other job search topics.
- Career Coach: Explore Career Coach to learn more about this career and/or discover related majors and in-demand careers based on your current interests! Take a Career Assessment and then browse careers and job opportunities in the area.
Curriculum
A suggested course sequence for students follows.
- All students should review the advising guide and consult an advisor.
- Find out about related programs and course in the Fields of Study section.
- Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
- All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.
Suggested Course Sequence
Students should complete the required English and Math foundation courses within the first 24 credit hours. All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.
First Semester
- ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours
- Mathematics Foundation 3 semester hours (MATF) ††
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD) ** ††
- HLTH 105 - Personal and Community Health 3 semester hours (GEIR)
- PHED 201 - Overview of Physical Education 3 semester hours
Second Semester
- ENGL 102 - Critical Reading, Writing, and Research 3 semester hours (ENGF)
- Humanities Distribution 3 semester hours (HUMD) ††
- BIOL 150 - Principles of Biology I 4 semester hours (NSLD)
- EDUC 101 - Foundations of Education 3 semester hours
- HLTH 125 - Personalized Health Fitness 3 semester hours
Third Semester
- Arts Distribution 3 semester hours (ARTD) ††
- BIOL 212 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 semester hours (NSLD)
- COMM 108 - Foundations of Human Communication 3 semester hours (GEIR)
-
OR
- COMM 112 - Business and Professional Speech Communication 3 semester hours (GEIR)
- PHED 225 - Invasion Games: a Tactical Games Approach 3 semester hours
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ††
Fourth Semester
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD) ** ††
- BIOL 213 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 semester hours
- PHED 204 - Foundations of Elementary School Physical Education 3 semester hours
- PHED 226 - Net-Wall Games: a Tactical Games Approach 3 semester hours
* ENGL 101/ENGL 101A, if needed for ENGL 102, or elective.
** BSSD courses must come from two different disciplines. Students are recommended to take PSYC 100.
*** Program Electives can be selected from the following list: EDUC 102, PHED 101, PHED 116, PHED 117, PHED 120, PHED 121, PHED 143, PHED 152, PHED 163, PHED 170, PHED 186, or PSYC 227. Students transferring to Towson should take PSYC 227 for their elective. Students transferring to Salisbury should take PSYC 227 and EDUC 102 (1 credit). These students will have a total of 61 credits.
†† Meet with a program advisor to select General Education courses based on transfer school AND choose one General Education course from either Arts, Humanities, or Behavioral and Social Sciences distributions to fulfill the Global and Cultural Perspectives (GCP) requirement. Towson accepts MATH 150 or a Mathematics foundation (MATF) in addition to a Math ALEKS score of 61 or higher.
Related Programs and Courses
General Studies Degree
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes. These courses are designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.