MAJOR IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION PreK-12 FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
Physical Education majors, upon successful completion of the program and graduation from Northeastern Illinois University, are entitled to the Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL), endorsed in Physical Education PreK-12. Students are encouraged to complete the minor program in Health Education.
Program Maintenance Criteria
Students must make an appointment to meet with the Physical Education student advisor Marianne Morrissey (mmorriss@neiu.edu) to complete the declaration of major form and to review the requirements for admission into the Physical Education program.
Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average every semester. Should the candidate’s cumulative GPA fall below 2.5, the student is allowed two semesters to raise the GPA back to 2.5. Students must receive a grade of “C” or above in all major courses. Students with a grade below a “C” will have the opportunity to repeat the course only twice.
Student teaching requires prior to passage of the Physical Education Content Test #213. If passing scores are not reflected in the student’s ELIS account, the student will not be able to complete student teaching and will have to sit out each semester until the test is passed. To be entitled for licensure a student must earn a grade of “B” or better in Student Teaching.
*Note: Consult department regarding a non-licensure undergraduate degree.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Students must make an appointment to meet with the Physical Education student advisor Marianne Morrissey (mmorriss@neiu.edu) to complete the declaration of major form and to review the requirements for admission into the Physical Education program.
University Core Curriculum Requirements
| General Education Distribution Area | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts (FA)* 2 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: Art, CMT (Mass Media or Theatre), Music (includes Dance). | 6 |
| Humanities (HU)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: CMT (Communication), English, Linguistics. Philosophy, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures, (Note: No more than two foreign language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.) | 9 |
| Behavioral/Social Sciences (SB)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: African & African American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography & Environmental Studies, History, Justice Studies, Latino & Latin American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work | 9 |
| Natural Sciences (NS and NSL)** 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study; one course must have a laboratory component (NSL): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics (Note: If an FYE ANTH that counts as Natural Science is taken, only one Biology course may be used for Natural Science). | 9 |
| Engaged Learning Experiences | |
| Students must complete, at Northeastern, three courses designated as Engaged Learning Experiences courses. One of the Engaged Learning Experiences courses must be at the 300-level, and one Engaged Learning Experiences course must be designated as "Boundary Crossing". | |
| Discipline Specific (ELE-DS) These courses have pre-requisites that are specific courses within a program of study. Discipline Specific courses give students a deeper understanding of how knowledge is created and applied in their field. | |
| Boundary Crossing (ELE-X) These are courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and/or cross boundaries through engagements outside the classroom or University allowing students to see how knowledge gained in one field might inform other fields or other aspects of society. | |
| Math/Quantitative Reasoning (MA) 1 Math course, that has intermediate Algebra as prerequisite OR is a course listed on the General Education Distributive Learning List of Approved Courses. Any 3 hour college level math course, beyond Intermediate Algebra, meets this requirement. |
- *
Majors in Fine Arts, Humanities or Social/Behavioral Sciences, may waive up to 6 credit hours of General Education requirements in the corresponding distribution area.
- **
Majors in Natural Sciences may waive up to 9 credit hours of General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences distribution area.
Students should also be aware of all other university requirements to obtain a degree - NEIU requirements
Major in Physical Education PreK-12 Program requirements
Completion of the Physical Education Program and other requirements leads to the Illinois Professional Educator's License (PEL). Grades in all major courses must be a "C" or higher, with a major GPA of 2.5. Please see course descriptions for prerequisite requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Professional Preparation | ||
| EDFN-306 | Education And Individual Differences | 3 |
| EDFN-307 | Psychology Of Instruction And Learning | 3 |
| BLBC-340 | Teaching English Learners In Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| Physical Education Core | ||
| HSCI-315 | Writing Intensive Program: Writing In The Health Sciences And Physical Education | 3 |
| PEMT-201 | Introduction To Principles And Methods In Physical Education | 3 |
| PEMT-203 | Fitness Education | 3 |
| PEMT-231 | Teaching Target, Net, And Wall Activities In Physical Education | 3 |
| PEMT-251 | Fundamentals Of Rhythms | 3 |
| PEMT-276 | Teaching Invasion, Striking, And Fielding Activities In Physical Education | 3 |
| PEMT-300 | Adventure Education Programming | 3 |
| PEMT-302 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| PEMT-303 | Adapted Physical Education And Recreation | 3 |
| PEMT-305 | Functional And Structural Human Anatomy | 3 |
| PEMT-306 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| PEMT-307 | Assessment In Physical Education | 3 |
| PEMT-308 | Motor Skill Behavior | 3 |
| PEMT-310 | Socio-Cultural Influences On Physical Activity | 3 |
| PEMT-341 | Physical Education Curriculum Design * | 3 |
| PEMT-343 | Foundations Of Physical Education In Early And Elementary Education * | 3 |
| PEMT-344 | Foundations Of Physical Education For Middle & High Schools * | 3 |
| PEMT-355 | Physical Education Clinical Experience * | 3 |
| *Student Teaching | ||
| PEMT-375 | Student Teaching And Seminar In Physical Education * | 12 |
| *Or PEMT 375B taken for 2 consecutive semesters (fall and spring) | ||
| PEMT-375B | Student Teaching And Seminar In Physical Education * | 6 |
Exit Requirements for Degree Completion
Successful completion of all program and college requirements with exception of passing score on edTPA.
EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION / ENTITLEMENT
Successful completion of all Goodwin College of Education and Department program requirements, with evidence of passing score on edTPA.
Note: Per the State of Illinois School Code, the edTPA has been paused as a licensure requirement until September 2025.
This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for this major. This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| College Level Math | 3 | |
| ENGL-101 | Writing I | 3 |
| 3 GenEd courses | 9 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ENGL-102 | Writing II | 3 |
| 5 GenEd courses | 15 | |
| Term Hours | 18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| CMTC-101 or 202 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| 1 GenEd course | 3 | |
| PEMT-201 | Introduction To Principles And Methods In Physical Education | 3 |
| PEMT-203 | Fitness Education | 3 |
| PEMT-276 | Teaching Invasion, Striking, And Fielding Activities In Physical Education | 3 |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| 3 GenEd courses | 9 | |
| PEMT-231 | Teaching Target, Net, And Wall Activities In Physical Education | 3 |
| PEMT-251 | Fundamentals Of Rhythms | 3 |
| PEMT-303 | Adapted Physical Education And Recreation | 3 |
| Term Hours | 18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| PEMT-305 | Functional And Structural Human Anatomy | 3 |
| PEMT-307 | Assessment In Physical Education | 3 |
| PEMT-341 | Physical Education Curriculum Design | 3 |
| PEMT-343 | Foundations Of Physical Education In Early And Elementary Education | 3 |
| EDFN-306 | Education And Individual Differences | 3 |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| PEMT-300 | Adventure Education Programming | 3 |
| PEMT-310 | Socio-Cultural Influences On Physical Activity | 3 |
| PEMT-302 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| PEMT-344 | Foundations Of Physical Education For Middle High Schools | 3 |
| BLBC-340 | Teaching English Learners In Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| PEMT-306 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| PEMT-308 | Motor Skill Behavior | 3 |
| PEMT-355 | Physical Education Clinical Experience | 3 |
| EDFN-307 | Psychology Of Instruction And Learning | 3 |
| Term Hours | 12 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| PEMT-375 or 375B | Student Teaching And Seminar In Physical Education | 12 |
| Term Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |