Health and Physical Education

Student Teaching and Field Experience

Teaching Physical Education class

Health and Physical Education students are encouraged to seek volunteer or paid experiences in the field of health and physical education during their academic years.

The Health and Physical Education curriculum also includes five faculty-supervised practicum experiences in these courses: PHED 308, PHED 403, PHED 404, HEAL 405 and PHED 415. Enrollment in these courses requires BSED status.

PHED 308 – Adapted Physical Education

Students intern at school sites in regular physical education classes where there are some children with disabilities. Also, students may work with small classes of children exclusively with special needs.

PHED 403 – Elementary School Instruction in Physical Education

Students intern at a pre-selected elementary school with a master teacher for a minimum of 15 contact hours in actual classes within a 5-week period. Approximately 50% of the course evaluation is based on assignments connected to this practicum.

PHED 404 – Middle/High School Instruction in Physical Education

The student will choose from the instructor-selected schools to observe and teach a physical education class at the middle or high school level. This 3-credit course includes 15 hours of field experience. This course should be taken the semester before student teaching.

HEAL 405 – Teaching Methods in Health Education

The student will choose from the instructor-selected schools to observe and teach a health class at the elementary or secondary level. This 3-credit course includes 5 hours of field experience. This course should be taken the semester before student teaching.

PHED 415 – Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education

The Student teaching/Internship in Health and Physical Education provides students the opportunity to work full-time at an approved school with a selected mentor teacher. The internship consists of 7.5 weeks at the elementary level and 7.5 weeks at the middle or high school level. This 12-credit course is the capstone course taken in the academic program. All coursework has to be completed before taking PHED 415. Teacher licensure requirements are 300 total hours/1 semester including 150 hours of independent teaching. Each student is assigned an experienced University Supervisor who observes and evaluates the student teacher a minimum of 4 times throughout the internship.

Inquiries about student teaching should be directed to Ms. Luanne Norden at lnorden@gmu.edu or 703-993-2032.

Eligibility to Student Teach

• GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 hours of degree specific course work
• Satisfactory completion of all required general education and professional concentration courses.
• Passed Praxis I, Praxis II, and VCLA exams

Procedure to Student Teach

• Complete the Application for Student Teaching a semester prior to taking PHED 415.
• To student teach in the fall semester, application is due to academic advisor by February 1.
• To student teach in the spring semester, application is due to academic advisor by September 1.
• You will be notified of your placements at the end of the semester.

Student Teaching Forms

Frequently asked questions about the internship experience:

Q1. I would like to student teach where I went to elementary school. Is that possible?

No. Students are not allowed to student teach where they have attended school, where they coach, work or volunteer, or where they have family members working or attending school.

Q2. Can I choose the schools where I student teach?

No. The Coordinator of Student Teaching works with the county you have chosen to make the best possible placement for you. Your placements will be based on schools willing to host a student teacher and selecting an experienced, outstanding health and physical education teacher to be your supervisor.

Q3. I plan to move to another state as soon as I graduate. It would be great if I could student teach where I plan to move so that I could get my foot in the door in the school district where I would eventually like to teach. Is it possible to student teach in another state?

Yes, it is possible. You will need to talk to the Coordinator of Student Teaching at least one year in advance of when you plan to student teach. Out-of-state placements take longer to confirm so extra time is required. We have placed many students in other states.

Q4. I cannot go an entire semester without income. When do you suggest I work?

You should not work at all during your student teaching semester if at all possible. Student teaching is a full-time job and you will want to give 110% . Internships often turn into full-time employment. Even though you will leave school by 4 pm most days, you will still have lesson plans to write in the evenings. If you have to work, the best time would be weekends. Remember, student teaching is only one semester---plan ahead.