Health and Physical Education

Degree Requirements and Advising

The PHED Program offers the B.S. Ed. Degree in Physical Education. Beyond the General Education course requirements of 38 credits, course work of 82 credits spans the content areas of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Education.

[Each course number below is linked to a sample syllabus, which includes a detailed course description. Keep in mind that although the course title, description, and objectives remain constant, other aspects of the course may differ from one semester and/or section to another.]

Course Listing: 82 Credits

An add-on endorsement in Driver Education for secondary level teachers is available by taking 6 credits: HEAL 402 and HEAL 403.

Advising

See Linda Krout for academic advising assistance.

• Email: lkrout@gmu.edu
• Phone: 703-993-2096
• Office: Rm 210, Bull Run Hall (Prince William Campus)

Members of the Health and Physical Education faculty are also available to assist you with questions about career choices.

Advising Resources:

• • Academic Advising form for 2008-2009 – Includes all courses offered for the B.S. Ed. degree and a catalog description for each course for students declaring a major in the current calendar year.
• • Link to Additional checksheets for all academic calendar years, in all RHT programs. Remember that the year your major is declared becomes the catalog year that you follow for coursework requirements.
• • Health and Physical Education Four year plan – Guidelines to assist in planning your schedule over the four years of the B.S. Ed. program.
• • Transfer Plan – Scheduling guidelines for transfer students with an Associates Degree, or those who have otherwise fulfilled most of the University General Education requirements

PRAXIS and VCLA Help:

• • PRAXIS 1 Preparation Workshops are provided through the Graduate School of Education. Phone: 703-993-3676 or Email: alpd@gmu.edu
• • VCLA website
• • Virginia Department of Education answers about PRAXIS and VCLA

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., Health and 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 another 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 these requirements are completed, all students must:

• • 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.

* 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.]