Physical Education Teacher Licensure
The mission of faculty in the Pedagogical Kinesiology program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is to engage in research that provides significant new knowledge about teaching, teacher education, and curriculum; to disseminate knowledge through publications, professional presentations, and course instruction; to teach by using effective instructional behaviors and active learning techniques; to mentor, educate, and inspire future professionals; and to provide leadership and service in a wide variety of forms at the local, state, national, and international levels. This mission is reflected in both the undergraduate teacher licensure program and the graduate research program.
Degree Programs
Since 1895, faculty and students from the University of Illinois have been leading the way in the critical study of human movement. Internationally recognized for research and teaching, the Department of Health and Kinesiology (HK) is consistently ranked in the top five research institutions by professional organizations in the field. With an emphasis on physical activity throughout the lifespan, the Department of HK is committed to seeking answers and disseminating knowledge on topics that range from cell to society.
Three programmatic tracks are offered to students enrolled in Pedagogical Kinesiology. First, undergraduate students who are seeking a B.S. degree from the Department of HK can become certified to teach in grades K-12. Second, graduate students can pursue a M.S. degree with or without a thesis option. There is also an option for master’s students to pursue teacher licensure through an expedited teacher education program experience. Third, advanced graduate students interested in research and a desire to work in higher education may complete a Ph.D. degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in pedagogical studies.
Bachelor of Science
Undergraduate students seeking a B.S. degree in the teacher licensure concentration are offered an exceptional program of courses and experiences designed to prepare future teachers with skills and knowledge necessary to effectively educate the next generation. Students are generally accepted into thelicensure program at the end of their sophomore year, after completing general education coursework and courses from within the Department core (e.g. exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, and motor learning).
Undergraduate students in Pedagogical Kinesiology are admitted as a cohort and typically spend four semesters enrolled in courses and progressive practicum experiences (including student teaching) that lead to licensure in grades K-12. Emphasis is placed on providing students with ample practicum experiences that require students to integrate what they are learning in the university classroom with what they are learning about children participating in K-12 physical education classes in local schools.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has determined the curriculum in our Kinesiology: Teacher Education K-12, BS (Physical Education Teacher Licensure program)meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state of Illinois. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Illinois, we strongly recommend that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek the most up-to-date information and guidance regarding state licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program. Please follow this link to find your state’s requirements, resources and contact information.
You are encouraged to contact the appropriate licensing agency for your location or wherever you desire to be licensed or certified to seek information and additional guidance. Please be aware that there may be licensure or certification requirements in addition to an academic program’s curriculum.
Note: This disclosure is being made in compliance with federal regulation 34 CFR §668.43 and the State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreements Manual.
Professional education course requirements include:
Pedagogical Kinesiology
Code | Course |
---|---|
HK 260: Teaching Activities I
Hours: 3 |
|
HK 261: Teaching Activities II
Hours: 2 |
|
HK 352: Bioenergetics of Movement
Hours: 3 |
|
HK 463: Adapted Physical Education
Hours: 3 |
|
HK 461: Curriculum in Grades K-6
Hours: 3 |
|
HK 462: Curriculum in Grades 7-12
Hours: 3 |
|
HK 460: Instructional Strategies in PE
Hours: 3 |
|
HK 465: Professional Seminar in Physical Education
Hours: 3 |
|
HK 466: Measurement & Evaluation in Kinesiology
Hours: 3 |
|
HK 464: Technology & Assessment in Physical Education and Sport
Hours: 3 |
|
EPSY 201: Educational Psychology
Hours: 3 |
|
CI 473: Disciplinary Literacy
Hours: 2 |
Master’s of Science
Admission to this degree program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (A= 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and any graduate work completed, the results of the Graduate Record Examination, and three letters of recommendation. A student may either choose to write a thesis, or select the non-thesis option and engage in an independent research project. Individuals working toward a master’s degree include teachers who are interested in improving their instructional knowledge and effectiveness, or those who are interested in research and intend to pursue a Ph.D. at a later date. Whenever possible, teaching and research assistantships are offered to qualified students which typically provide a tuition waiver and salary stipend.
Doctor of Philosophy
Admission to this degree program requires a master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, completion of a thesis or equivalent research experience, a grade-point average of 3.5 (A= 4.0) for all graduate work, the results of the Graduate Record Examination, and three letters of recommendation. Doctor of Philosophy degree candidates pursue an advanced program of study and research in preparation for careers in research and teaching in higher education. Doctoral candidates who have graduated from the program have been heavily sought after for professional positions in a variety of colleges and universities throughout the nation. Many of these individuals are now leading scholars in the field. Usually, teaching and/or research assistantships are offered to qualified students. The graduate program provides candidates with the flexibility to select coursework that fulfills requirements from various departments across campus.
Doctor of Philosophy Curriculum for Pedagogical Kinesiology
Code | Course |
---|---|
HK 464: Technology & Assessment in Physical Education and Sport
Hours: 3 |
|
HK 550: Research Methods in Health and Kinesiology
Hours: 4 |
|
HK 515: Health Behavior Theory
Hours: 4 |
|
HK 560: Research on Teacher Education
Hours: 4 |
|
HK 561: Qualitative Research Methods
Hours: 4 |
|
HK 594: Special Topics
Hours: 1-4 |
Program Features
Field Experiences
Undergraduate students participate in extensive field experiences that commence during the first semester of enrollment in the teacher education program. Experiences begin with prospective candidates teaching relatively small groups of students with a partner and gradually progress to the terminal student teaching experience. All practicum opportunities are supervised by program faculty.
Technology
Strong emphasis is placed on educating undergraduate and graduate students in technology. Students learn to effectively incorporate technology such as heart rate monitors, pedometers, and other devices that support teachers in the delivery of effective instruction in physical education. In addition, graduate students become proficient in the utilization of technology for pedagogical research, which includes physical activity measurement devices, citation software, and data management programs.
Multidisciplinary Inquiry
Faculty members in Kinesiology frequently engage in scholarship with colleagues from different areas of study within the Department and across campus. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to learn from scholars in a wide variety of disciplines and graduate students are encouraged to enroll in classes with faculty from different areas of study.
Research Apprenticeships
Undergraduate students have opportunities to engage with faculty in their labs on different research projects. Graduate students regularly apprentice with experienced researchers by collaborating on research investigations and serving as co-authors on journal publications.
Teaching and Research Assistantships
The Department of KCH provides graduate students with assistantships in the area of teaching and/or research, whenever possible. Assistantships are designed to provide work experiences similar to those that students will encounter in their professional careers. In general, assistantships provide a tuition waiver and a salary stipend.
Faculty Profiles
Dr. Kristi N. Carlson
Dr. Kristi N. Carlson is a three-time graduate of the University of Illinois and has taught in the Department of Health and Kinesiology since 2012. Dr. Carlson specializes in physical education teacher education, teaching in the areas of physical education methods and motor development, but also teaches a number of core classes related to motor learning, movement analysis, and professional preparation. Dr. Carlson also serves as the Pedagogy Coordinator for the Department, through which she assists with program admittance, teacher licensure, and state and program requirements. Her research interests focus on teacher licensure requirements and integrating both fitness and academic concepts throughout the physical education curriculum.
Dr. Kim C. Graber
Professor Kim C. Graber is Director of the Campus Honors Program and Head of the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Her research focuses on teacher socialization, children's wellness, legislative policy mandates, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Dr. Graber has authored approximately 100 articles/chapters in numerous journals and books, served as editor for two special features and three monographs, and has presented at dozens of national and international conferences. She is the co-author of a book titled Physical Education & Activity for Elementary Classroom Teachers with Dr. Amelia Mays Woods. Dr. Graber is a former President of the SHAPE America Research Council and former President of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). She also served as Chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Academy. She is a University of Illinois Distinguished Teacher/Scholar and has received the Campus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the SHAPE America Curriculum and Instruction Honor Award, the NASPE Teacher Education Honor Award, and the SHAPE America Research Council Distinguished Service Award. She is Fellow #526 in the National Academy of Kinesiology, and a research fellow in SHAPE America.
Dr. Jamie A. O’Connor
Dr. Jamie A. O’Connor teaches physical education teacher education methods courses in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Her research interests pertain to the social ecology of the gymnasium and how peer harassment affects students. As a new faculty member, Dr. O’Connor will continue a line of inquiry regarding social-ecological factors impacting students’ perceptions of physical education. Specifically, she will explore the myriad ways in which various forms of bullying (physical, relational, etc.) affect students’ experiences in physical education settings. Her primary goal as a scholar is to contribute to the dearth of literature that currently exists regarding this important topic and to help undergraduate students, as agents of research and as future educators, apply scholarly findings to their own teaching practices.
Dr. K. Andrew R. Richards
Dr. K. Andrew R. Richards is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. His research interest addresses physical education teacher socialization, which includes emphasis on teacher recruitment, pre-service teacher education, marginalization and ongoing socialization. Dr. Richards has examined issues in stress, burnout, perceived matters, and teacher/coach role conflict. He has authored more than 70 refereed articles, numerous book chapters, a monograph, and has presented at multiple national and international conferences. He recently co-edited a book titled Teacher Socialization in Physical Education: New Perspectives. This was the first book on teacher socialization in physical education to be published in nearly 30 years. He was recently awarded with the 2017 SHAPE America Mable Lee Award and was inducted as a SHAPE America research fellow in 2018.
Dr. Amelia Mays Woods
Professor Amelia Mays Woods is the James K. and Karen S. McKechnie Professor in the College of Applied Health Sciences and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs for the College of Applied Health Sciences. A nationally recognized scholar in the area of physical activity education, Dr. Woods’ research seeks to improve school-based physical activity as well as understand and enhance the career development of elementary- and secondary-level physical education teachers. She received the 2018 Curriculum and Instruction Academy Honor Award from the Society for Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America). Her research has resulted in two co-authored books, more than 100 scholarly articles and chapters, and numerous national and international invited lectures and conference presentations. She is a University of Illinois Distinguished Teacher/Scholar and has received the Campus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. She is Fellow #544 in the National Academy of Kinesiology, and a research fellow in SHAPE America.
Dr. Wesley J. Wilson
Wesley J. Wilson is an assistant professor of adapted physical education/activity. He received his undergraduate degree in physical education and health education from Purdue University before continuing his studies in adapted physical activity at Oregon State University (master’s) and adapted physical education at University of Virginia (Ph.D.). Since graduation, Wilson has held faculty appointments at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Utah. His scholarship focuses more broadly in adapted physical education and more specifically in the socialization of adapted physical educators. Wilson explores the lived experiences of adapted physical educators regarding their beliefs and behaviors toward inclusion, special education law implementation, and their experiences in teacher education and the workplace. He also examines the subjective experiences of people who experience disability within a variety of physical education and physical activity settings. More recently, Wilson’s line of research has expanded to explore the influence of adapted physical activity service-learning programs on preservice university students and the children they serve.
Application Instructions
To apply to, or obtain additional information about, the Physical Education Teacher Licensure program, please contact Dr. Kristi Carlson at carlso1@illinois.edu.
Contact Information:
- Dr. Kristi N. Carlson, Program Coordinator
- Department of Health and Kinesiology
- University of Illinois
- Louise Freer Hall
- 906 S. Goodwin Avenue
- Urbana, IL 61801
Undergraduate Advising: (217) 333-2461
General questions regarding graduate program: (217) 333-1083