For Prospective Students

Students planning to pursue a degree in physical education are encouraged to review our website and contact the physical education coordinator Dr. Tara Blackshear with any additional questions or concerns. Appointments to tour our facilities and discuss the major are available upon request.

Students planning to transfer into this program are encouraged to utilize the transfer planning and course equivalency resources available through the Transfer Admissions. Because appropriate transfer course selection is an important component of timely degree completion, we highly encourage transfer students to contact Transfer Admissions early in their undergraduate studies. Early transfer planning can help ensure a seamless transfer experience and reduce the likelihood of delayed graduation.

Program Phases and Field Experiences

Field experiences occur in each phase of the physical education teacher education program. In Phase I (Preadmission), students complete foundational and observational work in KNES 292 and are involved in instruction to homeschooled students ages 4-13 in KNES 294. 

During Phase II (Admission) of the program, candidates complete courses which constitute the Internship I experience, namely KNES 324 Teaching Physical Education in the Elementary School, KNES 325 Teaching Physical Education in the Secondary School, and KNES 423 Adapted Physical Education. Each course requires the completion of 40 to 80 field hours or 5 to 10 days in public school settings in and surrounding the Baltimore metropolitan area. As part of the experience, candidates complete a sequence that involves observation of their mentor teacher, assisting the mentor teacher with instruction, initial teaching wherein the candidate adapts a lesson taught by the mentor teacher, and finally, independently planning for and teaching four or more lessons. Candidates complete the Adapted Physical Education experience in a setting that includes PreK-12 grade students who are differently abled. 

During Phase III  of the program, candidates complete the full-time Capstone Internship experience in public school settings in and surrounding the Baltimore metropolitan area.   The candidate is placed in an elementary school for 8 weeks and a secondary school (e.g., middle or high school) for 8 weeks. In many cases, the candidates are placed in the same school for the Capstone Internship as their Internship I experiences. Similar to the Internship I experiences, candidates initially observe their mentor teacher, transition to assisting the mentor teacher, followed by initial teaching in which the candidate assumes the professional responsibilities of the mentor teacher.

Physical Education Coordinator

Dr. Tara Blackshear
410-704-3172