Health and Physical Education (B.A.) with K-12 Teaching Certification

Program Overview

With health and physical fitness becoming a major focus of health care across the U.S., there has never been a more important time to consider a major in health and physical education. Messiah’s Bachelor of Art (B.A.) degree in health and physical education will prepare you to complete the state requirements needed to take the exam that certifies you to teach health and physical education for grades K-12 in Pennsylvania.

As a health and physical education major at Messiah, you will learn how physical activity affects mental, physical and spiritual well-being. Participation in a variety of cooperative and/or competitive experiences will deepen your understanding about the appropriate stewardship of the physical body and the value of healthful behavior for daily living. Training for the health and physical education major, both in and outside of the classroom, includes access to the proven faculty, coaching and facilities of Messiah's championship-winning NCAA Division III athletics program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Health and Physical Education with Teaching Certification program can:

1. Analyze and describe the use of best practices in Health and Physical Education.

2. Demonstrate critical thinking in order to solve problems and make decisions.

3. Explain the foundational knowledge, principles, and concepts for Health and Physical Education: 

   a. Science foundations

   b. Philosophy of education

   c. Pedagogical foundations

4. Identify, access, and synthesize scholarly research and popular literature related to foundations and applications in Health and Physical Education.

5. Demonstrate proficiency in pedagogical and assessment skills in working with a diverse group of learners.

6. Describe options for employment, voluntary service, and/or graduate education and one’s suitability for specific options in the field of Health and Physical Education.

7. Articulate how Christian faith and service connect to the field of Health and Physical Education.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

Students must fulfill one of the following sets of requirements:

A.

Competency* in First Aid & CPR and one of the following:

B.

Five credits from the following:

Professional Semester:

All students who pursue teacher certification must comply with established policies and procedures that regulate admissions to, retention in, and certification through Messiah College’s Teacher Education Program. A complete copy of the Teacher Education Program Handbook can be found on the program homepage www.messiah.edu/academic/teacher/teach.htm. To reach the handbook site easily, visit the Messiah homepage, click on Academics, and then on Teacher Education Program.

Three major criteria are evaluated for admission:

1. GPA/academic performance
2. character references
3. endorsements/references

When admitted to the College, all students who intend to pursue a teacher preparation program are identified with a “pre” status. All such students are required to make formal application for admission to the Teacher Education Program by November 1 of the sophomore year.

Students apply for admission to the Professional Semester (student teaching semester) during the junior year. Students are expected to file a formal application for admission to the Professional Semester by November 1 of the academic year prior to the one in which the Professional Semester will occur.

QuEST Requirements