Undergraduate Major Programs:

Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education - Teacher Certification

Students with the Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education with teacher certification are eligible for certification to teach health and physical education, K-12. They also are qualified to coach both team and individual sports. Other potential career options are available in the fields of recreation, dance, or fitness.

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Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education - Physical Fitness Specialist

This Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education - physical fitness specialist degree program is composed of the General and Pre-Physical therapy concentrations:

Fitness Specialist Concentration:
Students graduating in the fitness specialist concentration are prepared to conduct adult fitness programs, prescribe and administer exercise in settings such as hospitals, clinics, corporations, or community centers, and work as personal trainers.

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Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration:
Students graduating in the pre-physical therapy concentration are prepared for entrance into a school of physical therapy. Physical therapy programs accept a limited number of students and are highly competitive – the student is encouraged to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better while in this concentration.

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Undergraduate Minor Programs:

Athletic Coaching (18 semester hours)

Those students who successfully complete the program at West Chester earn transcript and written endorsement from the College of Health Sciences attesting to school administrators that recipients have attained basic preparation for coaching. Behavioral competencies in the theoretical foundations of coaching, skill acquisition, and management techniques also are required. Course offerings at the undergraduate and graduate levels are available. The program is open to any student.

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Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities

The minor in Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities is designed to familiarize and provide depth of knowledge, skills and attitudes to students about the benefits of physical activity for people with disabilities and how to facilitate those benefits. This minor is open to students in any major, but it is especially suited for the interests/career options of students majoring in health and physical education teacher certification and exercise science, students majoring in special education, and students in professional studies.

The purpose of the minor is to enable students to plan, implement, and advocate developmentally appropriate physical activity for people with a variety of physical and cognitive disabilities, in schools, fitness centers, recreation centers, and residential facilities. Practical application is stressed in this minor -students will participate in approximately 200 hours of hands on work. The minor in Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities prepares those in HPE-teacher certification to be eligible to sit for the APENS (Adapted Physical Education National Standards) exam but does not lead to Level II teaching certification (Level II teaching certification is not available in the tri-state area). Other certifications are offered within various courses.

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