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Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education (KS) | Undergraduate Degree Program

Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education (KS)

About OU's Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education (Kansas)

Ottawa University’s Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education (BAPE) degree program in Kansas trains prospective teachers to be sensitive and compassionate to the unique needs, challenges and learning styles of a diverse adolescent student population. Students develop critical thinking skills through an analysis of educational history; philosophy and psychology; measurement and evaluation of learning; and classroom management; as well as gaining an awareness of cultural diversity and the social and political contexts of education.

Ottawa’s BAPE degree in Kansas provides students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to become an effective educator. Students will participate in student teaching and gain a foundation in today’s educational methods as you work towards your teaching license. This program is based on state, regional, and national licensure criteria and testing competencies. Specific subject-matter courses, developed in collaboration with lead faculty in the discipline, build connections between theory and practice. Preparations in the subject major along with education courses, including field experiences, assist in leading to licensure.

The BAPE curriculum prepares students to teach at PreK-12 levels. It focuses on theoretical education in the philosophy and principles of health, physical education and recreation based on resource materials, professional literature and current research. Furthermore, the curriculum challenges students to apply this knowledge in real-world, professional settings with diverse groups of people. The program is state approved in Kansas and is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The requirements outlined meet licensure standards for the state of Kansas. Completion of this program does not guarantee licensure or certification in other states.

Career Outlook for B.A. in Physical Education

The top career path for BAPE graduates is to become a Phys Ed teacher. Other potential employment opportunities include coach, personal trainer, sports nutritionist, health club/resorts manager and community recreation organizer. There are currently an estimated 20,600 physical education teachers in the United States. The physical education teacher job market is expected to grow by 9.7 percent through 2026.

According to Career Explorer, the median annual wage for physical education teachers was $62,700 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,900, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,600. The median annual wage for alternative career path of personal trainer was $48,440 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $73,470.

Perspective on the BAPE

Physical education teachers, commonly known as Phys Ed or P.E. teachers, are responsible for the education of primary and secondary school students in physical activity and psychomotor learning. The physical education class was once little more than an organized recess; however, physical education teachers now engage students in much more than game play. Recent developments have steered the physical education curriculum towards the goal of overall wellness and teachers now incorporate health and nutrition topics into their classes. – CareerExplorer.com

For curriculum and course descriptions, please visit the online course catalog.

To get started on your journey toward a physical education degree at Ottawa University, contact us today.

Physical Education (KS) is offered at the following locations.

  • Ottawa, KS (Residential Campus)

Professional Licensure Disclosure

  • This program meets professional licensure requirements in certain states, as outlined on the University’s Licensure Disclosure page. Students are advised to verify that they are located (or plan to seek initial licensure) in a state where Ottawa University’s program meets requirements. Students who have questions about a program’s status should consult with an enrollment advisor. Those who relocate to another state during their course of study may no longer be eligible to enroll in the program or receive federal financial aid, and they may not meet licensure requirements in their state.

Physical Education Major Courses

Education Required Courses

  • The Teaching Profession I
  • The Exceptional Child
  • Educational Psychology
  • Foundations of Schools in a Diverse Society
  • Secondary Methods and RICA
  • Specialized Methods/Practicum
  • SEI Methods for ELL II
  • Secondary Student Teaching I
  • Secondary Student Teaching II

 

Required Physical Activity Courses

Co-Ed Weight Training
Examines principles and techniques of strength training and their application during active participation in weightlifting. Assists students with devising a personal weight training program consistent with health related fitness principles developed to meet their personal goals.

Lifetime Fitness
Participate in a great variety of health-related aerobic activities designed to help student develop a health related fitness program. Activities include walking, stair stepping, jogging, aerobic dance, aerobic game play and rope jumping. Studies current health and fitness concepts and basic nutrition concepts.

Nontraditional Team Sports I
Introduces activities of a nontraditional nature. Games, such as ultimate Frisbee, earthball,flickerball and Olympic team handball are used for the purpose of examining values and beliefs related to moral and ethical behavior and responsible group membership. Because physical fitness is a secondary goal, all activities included require students to be active throughout play.

Fundamental Rhythms & Movement
Through active participation, students will explore fundamental movement and movement concepts of educational gymnastics and dance.

Select 4 additional hours of physical activity courses.


Required Physical Education Courses

Personal & Community Health
Studies holistic health and lifetime wellness related to individual and community health. Focuses on stress, human sexuality, nutrition, exercise, impact of the environment and death. Includes physical activity related to developing health-related physical fitness.

History & Principles of Health, Physical Education & Recreation
Studies the history, philosophy and principles of health, physical education and recreation based on resource materials, professional literature and current research.

Motor Learning and Development
Course is an overview of motor learning and development with an emphasis on basic development principles, terms, issues, and theoretical approaches.  Cognitive and perceptual changes and characteristics associated with motor development are examined.  Competencies related to application of motor development concepts in instructional settings including assessment and evaluation of motor abilities and planning of developmentally appropriate movement experiences that fit the developmental needs of individuals across the lifespan are addressed.

Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries
Introduces the prevention, care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Learn to evaluate injuries common to sports, as well as preventative taping and wrapping of different anatomical joints.

Psychology and Sociology of Sports
Examines component in professional preparation for careers in physical education, recreation and related areas. Examines centrality of sports in modern society. Topics include psychological effects of sports, roles of youth sports, team cohesion and psychology of injury rehabilitation.

First Aid Instructor Training
Emphasizes practical applications for all age ranges in resuscitation and emergency treatment of strokes, heart attacks, burns, cuts, abrasions and broken bones. Detailed application of an AED is also emphasized. Red Cross certification in First Aid and Adult, Child, Infant CPR and AED is awarded upon completion. Students are certified as Red Cross instructors in these areas.

Elementary Physical Education Methods
Provides knowledge of physical development of the child and awareness of resources for the child's activity and recreation. Emphasis on materials and activities that provide optimal physical development for each individual.

Practicum in Teaching Physical Education in Elementary Schools
Provides observation and teaching experiences in physical education in elementary and preschool classes and/or youth sports or recreation programs. Requires work in school settings.

Adaptive Physical Education
Study of physical education adapted to those whose physical inadequacy or functional defect can be improved through physical activity. Develop and understand physical education program for gifted, retarded, handicapped and disadvantaged students.

Exercise Physiology & Lab
Studies the physical responses of the human body to the stress induced by physical activity. Prepares students interested in the physical training of both athletic and nonathletic population groups. Lab experiences used to study the physical responses of the human body to the stress induced by physical activity.  Includes testing, interpretation of results, and exercise prescription.

Secondary Physical Education Methods & Practicum
This course is a study of the principles related to the selection and use of teaching techniques for secondary physical education. Aspects include the understanding of the value of physical activity for healthy lifestyles, the evolvement of curriculum for the P-12 physical education, current trends in physical education instruction, understanding of student learning styles and developmental characteristics of the secondary student. Emphasis will be given to the development of effective teaching skills including organization and management of the secondary environment, assessment of student learning in all learning domains, fitness development and evaluation, motivation of the learner, curriculum development including program,  year, unit, and daily planning.

Theory of Administration in Health, Physical Education & Recreation
Course includes study of administrative philosophies and processes including administrative behavior, leadership and organizational procedures. Includes theory and practice involving tests and measurements in physical education and sport as well as program evaluation procedures. Off campus work is required.


Required Supporting Courses

  • Human Anatomy & Physiology w/Lab or Human Anatomy of Exercise Science & Lab 
Full Degree Catalog

University Accreditation

Ottawa University, as a whole, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Specific degree programs within our institution have also been accredited by relevant bodies within the field:

We are proudly recognized for our commitment to student excellence by the following designations:

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