Physical Education

About the Program

The Education Department now includes faculty members in PE and Health who offer programs in physical education, recreation, and sport management, with minors in coaching, adapted physical activities and DAPE (Developmental Adapted Physical Education).

Physical Education teaching majors gain knowledge and experience through courses, fieldwork, service-learning projects, pre-student teaching and student teaching. Education students are placed in the public schools beginning in their freshman Introduction to Education course and this continues throughout their SMSU careers to gain experience in the field. Students may also receive the Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE) licensure upon completion of the minor certifying them to work with students with disabilities. Since licensure to teach is a professional program, formal application for admission to the Education Program is required during the sophomore year. Application forms may be obtained in the school of Education office. There is a minimum GPA requirement of 2.8 from all colleges and universities attended, plus other requirements, such as taking the Basic Math, Reading, and Writing MTLE exams and receiving a score of 201 or higher. Persons with previous degrees and/or current licensure interested in adding a licensure field or endorsement may apply to SMSU and have their transcripts sent (if not from a Minnesota State school) to have a transcript review of what courses they would still need.

Active/Service Learning

Within the Physical Education teaching major, students will have multiple opportunities to observe and teach in classrooms throughout the community. In addition, students may experience service learning activities such as the Special Olympics and Home School Activities. In these settings, students connect and apply classroom content and experiences to practical career settings.

Facilities & Services

Facilities available to students include: an exercise science lab, indoor tennis courts, computer lab, dance studio, gymnastics room, wrestling room, Olympic-size pool and diving well, three racquetball courts, free wireless access to the internet, seven indoor basketball/volleyball courts, an indoor field house with a running track, a fitness center with free weights and exercise equipment and a Regional Event Center. Outdoor fields are used for softball, baseball, football, intramurals, soccer and the nature trail is used for running, walking, and cross-country skiing.

Activities

Physical Education teaching majors are encouraged to gain experience through practicums, fieldwork, and work-study jobs in intramurals, fitness centers, and aquatics. Students participate in public school classroom observation and teaching, State and National conventions, student research projects, and faculty/student mentorships. Majors in Physical Education - teaching have presented at Regional, State, and National conferences.

Majors & Minors

• Major - Bachelor of Science: Health Education
• Major - Bachelor of Science: Physical Education-Teaching
• Major - Bachelor of Science: Physical Education-Recreation Emphasis
• Major - Bachelor of Science: Physical Education-Sports Management Emphasis
• Minor - Adapted Physical Education/DAPE
• Minor - Adapted Physical Activity
• Minor - Coaching
• Certificate- Coaching

Clubs & Organizations

• Colleges Against Cancer
• Intramural Sports
• Men's Rugby Football Club
• Women's Rugby Football Club
• Soccer Club
• Tae Kwon Do Club

Contact Information

Physical Education Program - Office

IL 229, Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State St.
Marshall, MN 56258

• Telephone: 507-537-7115
• Fax: 507-537-6153
• Email: smsueducation@smsu.edu

Placement Opportunities

Graduates will have a wide variety of career opportunities including teaching K-12 public/private school physical education and graduate school. DAPE minors will be licensed to teach students with disabilities.