Physical Education, Wellness, and Sport Studies Students
Physical Education, Wellness, and Sport Studies


Graduate Program

Sport Science and Pedagogy


The Sport Science and Pedagogy program includes thirty semester hours in five components: methodology, science, socio-culture, administration, and elective. The primary focus of the program is instructional expertise in sport-related settings. The elective component of the program consists of six hours of subject area work that may be programmed to meet the specific needs of individual students. This program does not include recommendation for G level state licensure.

Purpose

Graduate courses for the Master of Arts in Sport Science and Pedagogy are designed to assist in the advanced preparation of individuals who are involved with sport and fitness-related endeavors. These fields of endeavor may include physical education programs, coaching environments, fitness centers, sport clubs, and other physical activity settings. The development of skills will be accomplished through coursework, research, and pedagogical experience. Students will benefit from a synthesis of current and applicable information derived from both theory and practice.

Goals


The Master of Arts in Sport Science and Pedagogy is designed to meet the following program goals:

1. Provide advanced preparation for leadership in the field of sport and fitness instruction.
2. Develop the skills essential for the research of various aspects of sport science and pedagogy.
3. Develop the capacity to interpret and then apply the findings of sport-related research to actual practices.
4. Develop skills and understandings of the numerous teaching styles used in sport instruction.
5. Foster the development of individual potential for becoming optimally effective as a teacher, coach, instructor or sport administrator.

Course Requirements

A. Methodology (6 semester hours)
SPED 600 Research in Sport Pedagogy
SPED 601 Instructional Strategies

B. Science (6 semester hours)
SPED 602 Scientific Principles of Human Performance
SPED 603 Contemporary Concepts of Wellness

C. Socio-Culture (6 semester hours)
SPED 604 Sport in Society
SPED 605 Sport and Physical Education for Diverse Populations

D. Administration (6 semester hours)
SPED 606 Sport and Physical Education Administration
SPED 607 Legal Issues of Sport and Physical Education

E. Elective (6 semester hours)
SPED 608 Psychology of Sport
SPED 609 Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction
SPED 610 Theories of Motor Development
SPED 611 Physical Education Seminar
SPED 555 Special Topics

Description of Courses

600. Research in Sport Pedagogy (3 semester hours)
A course designed to prepare the student to access, interpret, and apply practical aspects of research, with emphasis on the development of skills which will enable effective presentation, communication, and understanding.

601. Instructional Strategies (3 semester hours)
An in-depth study of the development and utilization of innovative teaching strategies in physical education and sport instruction.

602. Scientific Principles of Human Performance (3 semester hours)
A study of the most recent developments in the field of exercise physiology is the major focus of this class, with emphasis on the related fields of biomechanics and motor learning.

603. Contemporary Concepts of Wellness (3 semester hours)
A study of the relationships among the components of wellness, as well as an examination of recognized approaches to effective instruction of lifetime physical fitness.

604. Sport in Society (3 semester hours)
An examination of the issues and problems associated with play, games, and sport in a socio-cultural context.

605. Sport and Physical Education for Diverse Populations (3 semester hours)
A study of the implications for those involved in the instruction and provision of sport opportunities for diverse populations. These populations include the handicapped, the gifted, the elderly, and other groups with identifiable special needs.

606. Sport and Physical Education Administration (3 semester hours)
A study of specific issues involved in the organization and administration of sport and physical education programs.

607. Legal Issues of Sport and Physical Education (3 semester hours)
An exploration of the legal issues in sport and physical education. Emphasis will be placed on liability issues relevant to educational, recreational, and athletic settings.

608. Psychology of Sport (3 semester hours)
An analysis of the psychological aspects of sport with an emphasis on application and implications for teachers and coaches.

609. Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction (3 semester hours)
A study of the basic issues relevant to instructional supervision. Particular attention will be given to methods of evaluating instruction by means of systematic observation.

610. Theories of Motor Development (3 semester hours)
A study of motor, physical, and neuromuscular development from the prenatal period to old age. Emphasis will be placed on stages of development, motor system, and development of specific movement patterns.

611. Physical Education Seminar (1-3 semester hours)
A class for practicing physical educators, designed to be taught in a workshop format. The specific content will vary based upon instructor, students, and setting. The purpose will be to examine and to apply practices necessary in developing instructional expertise.

555. Special Topics (3 semester hours)
A study of significant issues, trends, and/or practical problems in education. Content varies according to student interest and need.