Physical Education Teacher Education

The Graduate Physical Education-Teacher Education (PETE) Program provides students with the educational background necessary to enhance their knowledge base and skills in physical education (K-12). The program is designed for people who already have a degree in PETE and one year of teaching experience.

The program is sensitive to the needs of in-service teachers and classes are offered in the evenings. Many PETE graduate students are part time students as they are full time teachers in the area. This does not preclude an individual from being a full time student in the PETE program. Both options are available.

The PETE graduate program was offered until 2004 when it was realized there was saturation in the market and many area teachers had obtained a master’s degree. The program is being reactivated because of a demonstrated need.  Classes will begin in the fall 2010. Below you will find a course rotation. 

Physical Education-Teacher Education Faculty and Research Interests

Margaret Coleman, Ph.D. University of South Carolina, Physical Education
Effective teaching practices, student teaching and clinical experiences, and curriculum

Deborah Garrahy, Ph.D. Indiana University, Curriculum & Instruction
Teacher socialization processes and teachers’ gender beliefs and practices.

Mary Henninger, Ed.D., University of Massachusetts, Physical Education Pedagogy
Lives and careers of physical education teachers; teacher career development; influences of urban contexts on physical education teachers careers

Alan Lacy, Ed.D. Arizona State University, Sport Pedagogy with a minor in Exercise Science
Physical Education Pedagogy, Assessment and administration

Skip Williams, Ph.D., University of Utah
School based physical activity interventions; Coed vs. single gender physical education; Instructional Models (tactical games); Student motivation

Physical Education-Teacher Education Curriculum

Students admitted to the PETE graduate program must complete a minimum of 33 total credit hours, including 6 credit hours in the research core, 12 credit hours in the PETE sequence, 3-6 credit hours of an advisor-approved culminating experience, and 9-12 hours of cognate, or elective courses. This curriculum is outlined below:

Research Core - 6 hours

• KNR 497, Introduction to Research Methods (fall only course)
• KNR 445, Statistics (spring only course)

PETE Sequence - 12 hours

• KNR 417, Research on Teaching in Physical Education (even spring semesters)
• KNR 419, Contemporary Curriculums in Physical Education (odd spring semesters)
• KNR 421, Improving Instruction in Physical Activity Settings (even fall semesters)
• KNR 423, Socio-cultural Perspectives in Physical Education Pedagogy (odd fall semesters)

Cognate Area

9-12 hours in a cognate area approved by the PETE faculty advisor

Culminating Experience

3-6 hours approved by the PETE faculty advisor

• KNR 498.30, Professional Practice, 6 hours
• KNR 499, Thesis, 6 hours
• KNR 400, Independent Study, 3 hours

Admission to the Physical Education-Teacher Education Program

Classes are being offered starting in the fall 2010 with the official sequence to open in fall 2011. Students may take PETE courses as a student at large and then apply for the degree program in the fall 2011. A student at large may carry up to 12 hours into a degree program. Please direct any questions on program admission to Dr. Amy Hurd, KNR Graduate program Director.

Admission to the program is competitive and admissions decisions are based on a variety of factors, including undergraduate grade point average, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, past work experiences, and future career goals. The ideal candidate will have at least one year of experience and a PETE teaching license.

Questions about Physical Education-Teacher Education?

For more information, please contact Amy Hurd, arhurd@ilstu.edu, ( 309) 438-5557.