The Profession

Students interested in teaching physical education K-12 in the public schools of South Carolina should concentrate on studies in this area.  This program is approved by the South Carolina State Department of Education in conjunction with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).
 
All students intending to complete a teacher education program are urged to meet with the department chair as soon as possible, preferably in the freshman year.  Early advising is necessary to ensure that their program of study includes the courses required under the general degree requirements of the College as well as all requirements of the physical education and teacher certification programs.

Criteria for Admission to the Teacher Certification Program
 

To be admitted to a teacher education program, as outlined by the School of Education, students must:
 
a)  complete 45 hours of General Education courses with a minimum GPA of 2.5 overall.
b)  receive a passing score on all areas of the PRAXIS I examination.
c)  submit 3 recommendations from: A General Education faculty member; EDFS 201 Instructor; and someone that has knowledge of your work with children.
d)  be admitted into the program one full year prior to Clinical Practice (student teaching).
e)  must have completed EDFS 201 with a grade of “C”.
f) must successfully complete a personal interview by the admissions committee if requested.
 
Retention in Teacher Education Programs:
The candidate must:

a) Meet criteria for performance established by program faculty and move to the next level.
b) Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.50.
c) Successfully complete Field Experiences and other requirements as determined by program faculty and cooperating teachers.

In addition to the criteria for admission listed above, after being admitted into the program, candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the professional education (EDFS) sequence of courses and show completion of, or registration for, the Praxis II Series: Professional Knowledge and Area exams before completion of Clinical Practice.
 
Completion of the approved program does not automatically ensure certification recommendation by the Department and School of Education.  Although completion of the approved program of study will usually result in recommendation, it may in fact be withheld as the result of failure to satisfactorily complete the requirements and activities as described by the Faculty Review Committee, including:  substandard performance during clinical practice, failure to pass the PRAXIS II Series:  Professional Knowledge and Area Exams, or failure to change behaviors which are considered to be impediments to successful teaching.

Career Options
 

• Elementary school (K-6)  secondary school (7-12)
• Middle school (5-8)  adapted physical education
• Continuing or community education     
• Alternative school settings
• Advanced degrees enable certified teachers to move into junior/community college settings as well as college and university settings.

Skills Needed
 

• Understand the scientific and philosophical basis of physical education and sport.
• Develop a comprehensive knowledge about analyzing movement.
• Develop a wide range of motor skills, especially those related to the area of teaching.
• Study the teaching-learning processes specifically related to the area of physical education and sport.
• Become knowledgeable about planning, organizing, administering, supervising, evaluating and interpreting  various aspects of a balanced physical education and sport program.

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Click on your field of interest to view other programs offered by the Department of Physical Education and Health.