BSEd Physical Education
Program Summary
Program: Health and Physical Education
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education in Physical Education
Credential(s): BSEd
Credits: 120
100% Online Option: No
On-campus/Blended Option: Yes
Cost per Credit:
$592.50 in state
$1612.00 out of state
Bring your passion for health, fitness, and sports to life in the PK–12 environment by teaching students the importance of being physically active and adopting healthy habits for a lifelong commitment to well-being.
Students explore the latest research-based approaches to teaching a variety of physical activities and sports as well as health and wellness principles in our state-of-the-art facilities. You will be equipped with the experience you need to work in a variety of PK–12 education settings, from top-ranked schools in Northern Virginia to beyond.
What Is Health and Physical Education?
Health and physical education examines the development of youths' physical, cognitive, social, and emotional skills, through a variety of sports, physical activities, and healthy habits, and prepare students to teach health and physical education in K-12 schools
Careers in the Field
Career options for graduates of this BSEd include:
- Health and physical education teacher at the elementary level
- Health and physical education teacher at the middle or high school level
- Driver’s education teacher (requires an add-on endorsement)
- Coaching
- Camp director
- Recreation leaders
- Youth sport activity leaders
Licensure Disclosure
George Mason University will verify completion of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) state-approved preparation program at the graduate or undergraduate level. Such verification does not guarantee the issuance of a Virginia Collegiate Professional, Postgraduate Professional, or Pupil Personnel license from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is solely the student's responsibility to comply with all requirements for licensure by the Commonwealth. Under Virginia law, a social security number is required for licensure.
This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require George Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.
Mason Core (38 credits)
- Written Communication (6)
- Oral Communication (3)
- Information Technology and Computing (3)
- Quantitative Reasoning (3)
- MATH 106: Quantitative Reasoning (3 credits) (Mason Core) (recommended course)
- Literature (3)
- Arts (3)
- Global History (3)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)
- Global Contexts (3)
- Natural Science
- BIOL 124: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- BIOL 125: Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- Synthesis/Capstone*
*Fulfilled by PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits) (Mason Core), listed below in professional sequence.
Professional Sequence (82 credits)
Students should carefully read the Notes section at the end of this description before registering for courses listed below. Courses must be taken concurrently
First Year Fall Semester
- HEAL 110: Personal Health (3 credits)
- PHED 202: Teaching Skillful Movement (3 credits)
- PHED 275: Field and Invasion Games (3 credits)
First Year Spring Semester
- BIOL 124: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- HEAL 200: School and Community Safety (1 credit)
- PHED 273: Net and Target Games (3 credits)
- PHED 274: Dance and Educational Gymnastics (3 credits)
First Year Summer
- Pass VCLA.
Second Year Fall Semester
- ATEP 300: Functional Anatomy (3 credits)
- BIOL 125: Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- EDUC 302: Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
- PHED 276: Health-Related Fitness Education (3 credits)
- RMGT 316: Leadership and Outdoor Education (3 credits)
Second Year Spring Semester
- HEAL 250: Introduction to School Health (3 credits)
- KINE 310: Exercise Physiology I (3 credits)
- PHED 218: Technology in Health and Physical Education (3 credits)
- PHED 320: Student Assessment in Health and Physical Education (3 credits)
Third Year Fall Semester
- PHED 306: Psychomotor Learning (3 credits)
Third Year Spring Semester
- EDRD 300: Literacy in Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education (3 credits)
- PHED 340: Social and Cultural Issues in Physical Education (3 credits)
- PHED 403: Elementary School Instruction in Physical Education (3 credits)
Fourth Year Fall Semester
Student Teaching Application - due by Sep 15 for spring placement and Feb 15 for fall placement
- HEAL 405: Teaching Methods in Health Education (K-12) (3 credits)
- PHED 308: Adapted Physical Education (3 credits)
- PHED 404: Middle and High School Instruction in Physical Education (3 credits)
Fourth Year Spring Semester
- PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits) (must take 12 credits)
Total: 120 credits
Student Teaching Internship
To enroll in PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits), physical education majors must:
- have a minimum 2.50 GPA in the last 60 credits of course work;
- have passed and electronically submitted test scores for the VCLA and Praxis Subject Assessment in Health and Physical Education Content Knowledge 5857 exams to George Mason University and provide a paper copy of the test scores to the internship coordinator;
- have satisfactorily completed all required Mason core and professional concentration courses. The application must be completed one full semester before taking PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits).
- Emergency First Aid, CPR and Use of AED Certification or Training with “hands-on” component. Recommended training: American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
Application deadlines are listed below and forms are located at Student Teaching and Field Experience.
Student Teaching Internship Application Deadlines:
- Fall Semester—February 15
- Spring Semester—September 15
Notes
- A 2.5 GPA is required for students to enroll in HEAL 405: Teaching Methods in Health Education (K-12) (3 credits), PHED 308: Adapted Physical Education (3 credits), PHED 403: Elementary School Instruction in Physical Education (3 credits), PHED 404: Middle and High School Instruction in Physical Education (3 credits), and PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits).
- A grade of C or better is required in the following courses: PHED 202: Teaching Skillful Movement (3 credits), PHED 308: Adapted Physical Education (3 credits), PHED 403: Elementary School Instruction in Physical Education (3 credits), PHED 404: Middle and High School Instruction in Physical Education (3 credits), HEAL 250: Introduction to School Health (3 credits), and HEAL 405: Teaching Methods in Health Education (K-12) (3 credits).
- Students must complete student teaching (PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits)) within 5 years of completing PHED 202: Teaching Skillful Movement (3 credits). If more than five years have elapsed between taking PHED 202: Teaching Skillful Movement (3 credits) and student teaching (PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits)), students will have to retake PHED 202: Teaching Skillful Movement (3 credits) before they can student teach.
- Additionally, students will be expected to achieve and maintain the healthy zone of health-related fitness as measured by FitnessGram® throughout their program. Accommodations will be made for students with documented physical disabilities.
- Our program requires multiple field experiences, and our school and agency partners require Mason students to be fingerprinted and pass a criminal background check prior to field experience work. Students must assume the risk that classes may be deferred and their program delayed due to the individual severity of notations on such a check and review by individual agencies.
Program Format
- face-to-face
- synchronous and asynchronous online classes
Application Deadlines
Freshman
- Non-Binding Early Action Deadline: November 1
- Regular Decision Deadline: January 15
Transfer
- Fall Priority Deadline: March 1
- Spring Priority Deadline: October 1
For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.
Application Requirements
Prospective George Mason students can visit the How to Apply page for more information about submitting an application.
Admissions Requirements
Learn about submission deadlines and admissions requirements using the links below:
Tuition (2024-25)
TUITION CLASSIFICATION | COST PER CREDIT |
---|---|
Virginia Resident | $592.50 (includes MSF*) |
Non-Virginia Resident | $1,612.00 (includes MSF*) |
CEHD Course Fee ($25/credit with higher per credit or flat course fees for internship and select ATEP, RECR, and RMGT courses) |
$25 - $257 |
Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit | $617.50 - $849.50 |
Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit | $1,637.00 - $1,869.00 |
Undergraduate New Student Fee (non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$350 | $275 for transfer students |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
Financial Aid
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
Advising
Your Academic Advisor is Linda Krout:
Email: lkrout@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-2096
Office: Fairfax Campus - Recreation Athletic Complex, ROTC Suite across from Room 2109
Prospective Students
Please visit this page for more information.
Orientation Advising
Please review this PowerPoint for more information on the Health and Physical Education program.
Schedule an Appointment to meet with Mrs. Krout
Sign into Navigate Mason with your Mason credentials. (If you are a prospective student click here for your instructions.) If you are 10 minutes late or arrive at the wrong location, your appointment will be canceled and you will have to reschedule. Please make sure you are aware of the time and location when scheduling an appointment. If you need to cancel your appointment, please do so as soon as possible (24 hours minimum notice appreciated) so we may offer that time to another student.
Advising Resources
- 2024-25 Health and Physical Education Advising Sheet
- Previous catalog years are available in PHED Documents and Forms
*Remember that the year your major is declared becomes the catalog year that you follow for coursework requirements.
PRAXIS and VCLA Help
PRAXIS Preparation Workshops are provided through the School of Education; email: oes@gmu.edu
- VCLA website
- See PRAXIS II content knowledge (5857) preparation materials
- VCLA Online Course and Practice Tests – see Advisor for Mason Student Instruction Sheet
- Praxis II Content Knowledge Health and Physical Education Practice Tests on Canvas – see Advisor to Register
Program Summary
Program: Health and Physical Education
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education in Physical Education
Credential(s): BSEd
Credits: 120
100% Online Option: No
On-campus/Blended Option: Yes
Cost per Credit:
$592.50 in state
$1612.00 out of state
Primary Faculty
-
Dominique Banville
Academic Program Co-Coordinator
PhD, Laval University, Quebec, Canada -
Luanne Norden
Academic Program Co-Coordinator
MA, University of Nebraska -
Nancy Jacobson
Professor-in- Charge, Physical Activity for Lifetime Wellness Program
MS, United States Sports Academy -
Risto Marttinen
EdD, Teachers College Columbia University -
Linda Krout
MA, Rowan University