Department of Physical Education and Sport

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Department of Physical Education and Sport

(585) 395-5332

Chairperson and Associate Professor:

  • Francis X. Short, PED, Indiana University.
Distinguished Service Professor:
  • Joseph P. Winnick, EdD, Temple University.
Professors:
  • Merrill J. Melnick, PhD, Ohio State University
  • William F. Stier, Jr., EdD, University of South Dakota.
Associate Professors:
  • Cathy Houston-Wilson, PhD, Oregon State University
  • Lauren Lieberman, PhD, Oregon State University
  • Reginald T-A. Ocansey, PhD, Ohio State University
  • Daniel Smith, PhD, University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana
  • Danny Too, PhD, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.
Assistant Professors:
  • Heidi K. Byrne, PhD, University of Texas
  • Marilyn L. Colby, PhD, Ohio State University
  • Luz M. Cruz, EdD, Teacher's College, Columbia University
  • Timothy J. Henry,PhD, University of Pittsburgh
  • Susan C. Petersen, EdD, Teacher's College, Columbia University
  • Robert C. Schneider, EdD, Temple University
  • Christopher Williams, PhD, Auburn University.

At SUNY Brockport, the graduate program in physical education provides an opportunity to gain permanent certification to teach physical education and to acquire skills and knowledge related to physical education that can contribute to a variety of personal, professional, or academic needs of the students. Depending on the background of candidates and courses selected, the degree program may lead to one or more of the following:

  1. permanent certification to teach physical education in New York state;
  2. a concentration in teacher education/pedagogy;
  3. a concentration in athletic administration;
  4. a concentration in teacher education/adapted physical education, with an option to elect an emphasis in early childhood adapted physical education;
  5. a certification and noncertification concentration in adapted physical education; or
  6. a general program developed in consultation with an advisor.

Admission

Matriculation into the graduate program depends on several factors, including the attainment of a bachelor's degree, an acceptable grade point average, an undergraduate major in physical education, evidence of qualification for a teaching certificate in physical education, and the development of an approved Plan of Study. The requirement for an undergraduate degree in physical education and teaching certificate is waived on a case-by-case basis for (a) students wishing to pursue athletic administration or (b) students wishing to pursue a noncertification option in adapted physical education or the general program. Individuals pursuing the noncertification option in adapted physical education must demonstrate a relevant knowledge base, including, at minimum, 12 credits in the professional field of physical education approved by the department. Admission information and applications may be requested from the Office of Graduate Admissions, (585) 395-5465, or from the Graduate Coordinator, Department of Physical Education and Sport, SUNY College at Brockport, 350 New Campus Drive, Brockport, NY 14420-2989.

While it is possible for non-matriculated students to take courses in the department, it is recommended that no more than six credits be taken prior to matriculation for those who intend to apply for admission. There is no guarantee that courses taken as a non-matriculated student will be accepted as part of a Plan of Study.

  1. Program Requirements
    The program requires a minimum of 30 credits of course work to be distributed as follows:
    Course Number Course Name Credits
    Physical Education Core Requirements (6 credits)
    All students are required to take:
    PES 604 Research Methods in Physical Education 3
    PES 605 Research Design and Data Analysis 3
  2. Prescribed Electives (18-21 credits) In consultation with an assigned advisor, each student selects from:
    1. general support courses in physical education that may be prescribed or recommended when they are appropriate to an area of interest; and/or
    2. a limited number of courses in other disciplines that either enhance the student's tools of inquiry, contribute to a broadening of knowledge, strengthen the student's background for physical education, or fulfill a personal need, and/or
    3. supervised independent study, and/or
    4. a specific set of courses in a concentration. In any case, courses selected must define a coherent program of study.

    Additional course requirements for concentrations are summarized below:

    Concentration: Teacher Education/Pedagogy

    Course Number Course Name Credits
    Required: (6 credits)
    PES 601 Analysis of Teaching 3
    PES 607 Curriculum in Physical Education 3
    Electives: (12-15 credits)
    PES 621 Instructional Design in Physical Education 3
    PES 617 Seminar in Elementary Physical Education 3
    PES 627 Seminar in Secondary Physical Education 3
    PES 599 Independent Study in Physical Education 3
    PES 581 Instructional Strategies in Adapted Physical Education 3
    PES 582 Adapted Physical Activity and Sport 3
    PES 583 Early Childhood Physical Education 3

    Other elective classes may be taken with departmental approval.

    Concentration: Athletic Administration
    Course Number Course Name Credits
    Required: (18 credits)
    PES 552 Challenges of Coaching 3
    PES 590 Administration and Supervision of Physical Education and Athletics 3
    PES 690 Problems in Physical Education and Athletic Administration 3
    PES 691 Marketing and Fund Raising in Physical Education and Sport 3
    PES 692 Budgeting, Finance and Facility Management in Physical Education and Sport 3
    PES 791 Internship in Athletic Administration 3

    A thesis (6 credits) may be substituted for PES 791 and PES 798.

    Concentration: Teacher Education/Adapted Physical Education

    Course Number Course Name Credits
    Required: (12-18 credits)
    PES 581 Instructional Strategies in Adapted Physical Education 3
    PES 582 Adapted Physical Activity and Sport 3
    PES 583 Early Childhood Physical Education* 3
    PES 683 Program Development in Adapted Physical Education 3
    PES 684 Seminar and Practicum in Adapted Physical Education 3
    or
    PES 685 Seminar and Practicum in Early Childhood Adapted Physical Education*

    *Only required of students electing the early childhood emphasis.

    Electives: (0-6 credits)

    Elective classes must be selected with departmental approval.

    Students electing the concentration may also take PES 601 and PES 607 and receive recognition for a double concentration in teacher education/pedagogy as well as adapted physical education.

  3. Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credits)
    Each student must complete a satisfactory culminating experience in the form of a thesis (PES 795six credits) or a synthesis project (PES 798three credits). Students pursuing the concentration in athletic administration may choose between a thesis (PES 795six credits) or a synthesis project (PES 798three credits) and an appropriate internship or practicum related to athletic administration (PES 791three credits). Students in the early childhood emphasis of the adapted physical education concentration must complete a project related to early childhood adapted physical education.
  4. Students whose GPAs fall below 3.0 will have their files reviewed by an advisory committee with a recommendation for continuation or noncontinuation.

Complete information about program requirements, policies and procedures is available from the graduate coordinator.

Physical Education Courses

PES 530 Psychology of Sport. Covers aspects of psychology that influence the performance and the participant in sports. Emphasizes extensive readings and study relating to personality and motivation in sport. Covers motives, arousal, aggression, play and other sociopsychological variables. Requires students to develop a research proposal. Closed to students who have completed PES 430. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

PES 552 The Challenges of Coaching. Takes a case-study approach to dealing with specific problems involved in coaching. Examines the problem-solving process as it can be applied to the coaching of sports at the youth, junior and senior high level, and the collegiate level. 3 Cr. Summer.

PES 560 The Ethics of Coaching Sports. Prerequisites: Prior athletic coaching and/or experience in competitive sports. Provides an analysis of sports contests and moral problems for participants and coaches. Discusses problems, as well as procedures and standards for reasoned moral conclusion. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

PES 581 Instructional Strategies in Adapted Physical Education. Prerequisites: PEP 445 or 372, and PES 413 or equivalent. Studies instructional strategies of adapted physical education. Emphasizes instruction for students with mental retardation, learning disabilities, and/or behavioral/emotional disabilities. 3 Cr. Fall.

PES 582 Adapted Physical Activity and Sport. Prerequisites: PEP 445 or 372, and PES 413 or equivalent. Covers the effects of physical and sensory disabilities on the physical/motor performance of children and youth, and emphasizes the effects of spinal-cord injuries, cerebral palsy, and auditory and visual impairments. Discusses the implications for the selection and adaptation of appropriate activities. 3 Cr. Fall.

PES 583 Early Childhood Physical Education. Prerequisites: PEP 445 and PES 413 or equivalents. Involves teaching physical education to children aged 0-5 with and without disabilities. Emphasizes assessment and program planning for an early childhood population. Incorporates a field experience to supplement lectures and discussion. 3 Cr. Spring.

PES 590 Administration and Supervision of Physical Education and Athletics. Acquaints interscholastic or intercollegiate athletic administrators with an overview of the idealistic, realistic and practical realms of the management of the competitive sport process. Analyzes the objectives, policies and strategies for the management and supervision of high school and collegiate athletic programs. Focuses on the total responsibility of the athletic director. 3 Cr. Spring.

PES 595 Problems in Program Development in Physical Education. Provides an analysis of selected problems in the liberal arts. Examines professional or performance aspects of physical education problems listed in class schedule. May be repeated for credit. 3 Cr.

PES 599 Independent Study in Physical Education. Considered an enlargement of the graduate program, enables students to pursue in greater depth topics studied previously in conventional graduate-level courses. Designed individually through consultation to suit the student's needs and interests and the special competence of the instructor. Additional requirements may be established by the department. 1-6 Cr.

PES 601 Analysis of Teaching Physical Education. Provides an investigation and analysis of decisions and behaviors of physical education teachers in relation to their role as facilitators of learning. Requires students to use descriptive analytic observation systems to analyze personal teaching behaviors. Requires a research paper to include use of an observation system under controlled situations and field experiences in observing physical education teachers. 3 Cr. Fall.

PES 604 Research Methods in Physical Education and Sport. Covers various methodologies employed in physical activity research including analytical, descriptive, experimental, and qualitative approaches to problem solving. Students learn to design an original study (as part of a required research proposal) and to analyze and critique existing studies which appear in the literature. The development of library skills for research is an important element of the course. 3 Cr. Fall.

PES 605 Research Design and Data Analysis. Prerequisite: PES 604. Explores both qualitative and quantitative research designs and matching strategies for data analysis in physical activity research. Presents qualitative analysis, including sorting, analyzing, and categorizing data; triangulation of data; reasoning; and theory construction. Also presents quantitative analysis, including describing relationships among variables and differences among groups. Also introduces multivariate, nonparametric, and single-subject techniques. Emphasizes the development of computer skills as an important element. 3 Cr. Spring.

PES 607 Curriculum Design in Physical Education. Examines the general principles and assumptions underlying development of curriculum as they apply to physical education studied in relation to the student, environment, needs and society. Analyzes and evaluates contemporary models and/or conceptual frameworks of physical education programs as a basis for the development of student's personal beliefs, skills and techniques in design or redesign of curriculum at various organizational levels and program emphases. 3 Cr. Spring.

PES 617 Seminar in Elementary Physical Education. Prerequisites: PES 607 and prior teaching experience, or instructor's permission. Explores current issues and trends in elementary school physical education. Provides practical experiences in curriculum development, instructional strategies, and assessment for teachers in grades K-5. Is based on the content and pedagogy of the American Master Teacher program. 3 Cr. Fall.

PES 621 Instructional Design in Physical Education. Prerequisites: PES 607 and basic computer literacy. Focuses on relevant concepts from educational psychology and learning theory, as well as on a "generic" instructional design model. Provides methods for analyzing instructional tasks and writing behavioral objectives to elicit desired results. Discusses emerging trends in instructional design, including the use of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in physical-education settings. 3 Cr. Summer.

PES 627 Seminar in Secondary Physical Education. Prerequisites: PES 607 and prior teaching experience, or instructor's permission. Explores current issues and trends in secondary school physical education. Provides practical experiences in development of new curriculum materials, innovative instructional strategies, grant writing, technology, and assessment for middle and high school teachers. Seeks to apply current research to practical situations. 3 Cr. Spring.

PES 660 Fitness and Conditioning for Teaching and Coaching. Provides students with an in-depth understanding of the factors determining physical fitness and various techniques used for physical conditioning. Emphasizes recent findings by researchers. Discusses subject matter relative to its application by teachers and coaches. 3 Cr. Fall.

PES 683 Program Development in Adapted Physical Education. Prerequisite: PES 581, 582 or 607, or instructor's permission. Covers the organization and administration of physical education programs for students with unique needs. Discusses legal implications, instructional adaptations, adapted physical education curricula and other factors that must be considered when programming for students whose needs cannot be met in regular educational programs. 3 Cr. Spring.

PES 684 Seminar and Practicum in Adapted Physical Education. Prerequisite: PES 581 or 582, or instructor's permission. Provides practical teaching experience in adapted physical education programs. Schools or agencies are selected on the basis of interests of students and required course competencies. Includes seminar discussion related to practicum assignments and general problems in the area of adapted physical education. 3 Cr. Spring.

PES 685 Seminar and Practicum in Early Child hood Adapted Physical Activity. Prerequisites: PES 581 and 582. Provides a field experience working with infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children with disabilities. Emphasizes the development of competencies for providing physical activity/education services. Seminar experiences supplement field work. 3 Cr. Spring.

PES 690 Problems in Physical Education and Athletic Administration. Examines problems and challenges encountered by secondary and collegiate physical educators and coaches in the administration of physical education and sport programs. Also examines possible courses of action to meet such problems and challenges. Includes case study and problem-solving approaches. 3 Cr. Spring.

PES 691 Marketing and Fund Raising in Physical Education and Sport. Studies marketing and fund-raising concepts, strategies, and practices in sport and physical education. Focuses on the methods used by school-based programs to solve their everyday marketing and fund-raising problems. 3 Cr. Summer.

PES 692 Budgeting, Finance and Facility Management in Physical Education and Sport. Studies financial and budgetary aspects of physical education and sport. Also examines the areas of indoor and outdoor sport facilities in terms of their construction, maintenance and proper utilization for both physical education and sport programs and activities. 3 Cr. Fall.

PES 791 Internship in Athletic Administration. Prerequisites: PES 590 and 690, and instructor's permission. Provides an entry-level experience in an athletic administrative setting. Requires involvement in day-to-day duties in athletic administration and observation of higher level management operations. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

PES 795 Thesis. Requires the preparation and oral defense of a substantial research and writing project planned and completed under the guidance of a graduate faculty committee. 6 Cr. Every Semester.

PES 798 Synthesis Project Seminar. Prerequisite: PES 604. Requires the preparation and presentation of a literature review in a widely investigated topic of the student's choice. Involves analysis, evaluation, and integration of the published literature on the topic, as well as the student's conclusions pertaining to the research findings. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

Last Updated 7/21/22