Physical Education teachers need to have an understanding of the content taught throughout the physical education programs from the Pre-Kindergarten to the secondary school level. DePaul’s program requires that students in the Physical Education licensure program take the courses listed below. Coursework must be completed before beginning student teaching. This program leads to eligibility for a Professional Educator License (PEL) for Physical Education in Preschool to grade 12. Courses are taken at the undergraduate level and do not lead to a degree.
The requirements below are those approved by the Illinois State Board of Education December 2015.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the Physical Education Licensure program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
To apply, please submit the following materials to the Office of Graduate Admission:
- A completed College of Education undergraduate application
- Online application fee
- One official transcript from each college and/or university attended
- Two letters of recommendation from professors or employer
- Resume
- A brief statement which explains your reasons for wanting to enter the Physical Education licensure program at DePaul and discusses your potential for becoming a teacher.
Course Requirements
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCU 207 | SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION | 4 |
| KNES 121 | SWIMMING | 2 |
| KNES 213 | FOLK & SOCIAL DANCE | 2 |
| Team sport of choice (Choose 3): | 6 | |
| FLAG FOOTBALL | ||
| VOLLEYBALL | ||
| SOCCER | ||
| SOFTBALL | ||
| TRACK AND FIELD | ||
| BASKETBALL | ||
| Individual sport of choice (choose 2): | 4 | |
| AEROBIC CONDITIONING | ||
| BEGINNING WEIGHT TRAINING | ||
| ADVANCED AEROBIC CONDITIONING | ||
| YOGA | ||
| TENNIS | ||
| GOLF | ||
| BIO 201 | HUMAN ANATOMY | 4 |
| BIO 202 | HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| KNES 206 | PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY HEALTH | 4 |
| KNES 311 | MOTOR DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE LIFE SPAN | 4 |
| KNES 317 | PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 4 |
| KNES 325 | LANGUAGE AND LITERACY IN THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SETTING | 4 |
| KNES 341 | HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION | 4 |
| KNES 351 | KINESIOLOGY | 4 |
| KNES 352 | PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE | 4 |
| KNES 360 | EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MEASUREMENT OF LEARNING | 4 |
| KNES 372 | METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR PHYSICAL EDUC CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION-SECONDARY SCHL | 4 |
| KNES 374 | ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION | 4 |
Student Teaching: 12 Quarter Hours Required
Registration in student teaching requires completion of all requirements and procedures listed in the college core section. EDU 95 indicates to the Illinois State Board of Education that all field experience hours are complete.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| KNES 378 | PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENT TEACHING IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION | 6 |
| KNES 379 | PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENT TEACHING IN SECONDARY EDUCATION | 6 |
| KNES 384 | PHYSICAL EDUCATION CAPSTONE | 4 |
| EDU 95 | CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH (non-credit, non-tuition, PA grade required) | 0 |
Licensure Tests
All individuals licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are required to complete licensure tests specific to their teaching license. Physical Education majors must complete the following tests:
- Physical Education Content Area Test (test #213) – assesses knowledge of health-related physical fitness, movement and skill acquisition, the role of physical education in promoting development, and the physical education program in schools. Test is required before Student Teaching (deadlines apply).
- EdTPA - assessment conducted during the student teaching experience including video clips of instruction, lesson plans, student work samples, analysis of student learning and reflective commentaries. Students will submit an electronic portfolio to an outside agency for independent evaluation and a fee will be imposed by that agency as part of the assessment.
Field Experiences
Each student seeking licensure from the College of Education/Professional Education Unit must complete supervised field experiences in appropriate lab settings in conjunction with education courses. Students are required to complete the required field experiences assigned in each course and must include a variety of grade levels, multicultural experiences, and a minimum of 15 hours in special education settings. Hours previously completed during courses taken for the BS may be counted if verification or documentation can be provided. All field experiences must be completed prior to final approval for student teaching. Field experience hours should be entered by the student into the FEDS system when completing courses with field experience requirements. For details on requirements, expectations, documentation, & courses in your program that require hours, visit the College of Education website.
Important Note
Note that the Physical Education Licensure program listed above does not lead to a degree.