College of Education and Human Development
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Health and Physical Education

Applying for BSED Status

When students initially declare a major in Health and Physical Education, their status is Pre-Bachelor or BPRE. As a major they must successfully complete certain courses, exams, and the appropriate application form to be admitted to the BSED Status.

BSED status identifies the student as a teacher candidate. This status must be obtained in order to complete the B.S. Ed. Physical Education Degree; in addition, certain courses in the curriculum are restricted to those with BSED status only.

Following are the requirements to change status from BPRE to BSED:

Four Year Students

  • •Complete 45 hours of college course work
  • •Pass Bio 124, BIO 125, PHED 201, and PHED 202
  • •Meet the GPA requirement of 2.5 or above
  • •Obtain a composite score of 532 or above on PRAXIS 1 OR its approved substitutes* (SAT or ACT - see note below)

Transfer Students

  • • Pass BIO 124, BIO 125, PHED 201, and PHED 202
  • • Meet the GPA requirements of 2.5 or above for a minimum of 45 credit hours from their previous university or complete 12 semester hours at Mason with a minimum of a GPA of 2.5.
  • • Obtain a composite score of 532 or above on PRAXIS 1 OR its approved substitutes (SAT or ACT - see note below)

Students with a Degree

  • • Pass BIO 124, BIO 125. PHED 201 and PHED 202
  • • Meet the GPA requirements of 2.5 or above on their last 60 hours of coursework from their previous university or after completing 12 semester hours at Mason with a 2.5.
  • • Obtain a composite score of 532 or above on PRAXIS 1 OR its approved substitutes (SAT or ACT - see note below)

Once those requirements are completed, all students need to:

  • • Complete the Application Form for Admission to the BSED Health and Physical Education Program;
  • • Obtain a copy of their degree audit (or photocopied transcript) from patriotweb.gmu.edu indicating that they have a GPA of at least 2.5;
  • • Attach a photocopy of the PRAXIS I scores on the Reading, Writing and Math tests OR a photocopy of their SAT or ACT Scores.
  • • Attach a statement of two pages, typed and double spaced describing (a) experiences working with children, and (b) career goals in education.

PRAXIS and VCLA Help:

* Note – Approved substitutes for PRAXIS 1:

For SAT taken after April 1, 1995 score of 1100 with at least 530 on the verbal and 530 on the mathematics tests. For SAT taken prior to April 1, 1995, a score of 1000 with at least 450 on the verbal and 510 on the mathematics tests. For ACT taken after April 1, 1995, a composite score of 24, with the ACT mathematics score no less than 22, and an ACT English Plus Reading score no less than 46. For ACT taken prior to April 1, 1995, a composite score of 21, with the ACT mathematics score no less than 21, and an ACT English Plus Reading score no less than 37. [Please note that you must have taken and met passing scores for the ACT Mathematics and English Plus Reading tests. At one time, the English Plus Reading test was not offered.]