Physical Education and Health Education Requirements
The Health, Physical Education and Recreation curriculum offers a varied but solid course of instruction directed toward the physical, mental, emotional, intellectual and social development of its students.
Courses of study are offered for the Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education with a major in Physical Education at the Elementary Level (K-6), in Physical Education with a major in Physical Education at the Secondary Level (7-12) and Adapted Physical Education.
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in School Health is designed to offer students knowledge in the teaching of health, by providing them a background in theories and educational methods at the respective levels. It also provides concepts and principles of natural and social sciences and of the humanities. It directs future teachers toward the development of a better quality of life, making them aware of the importance of health and the physical, mental and social balance of human beings in their constant interaction with their surroundings. It provides early immersion in the classroom.
The campuses authorized to offer these programs are:
- Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education with a major in Physical Education at the Elementary Level (K-6) - The Aguadilla, Arecibo, Guayama and San Germán campuses.
- Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education with a major in Physical Education at the Secondary Level (7-12) - The Aguadilla and San Germán campuses.
- Bachelor of Arts in Education in Adapted Physical Education - The San Germán Campus.
- Bachelor of Arts in Education in School Health - The Arecibo Campus is authorized to offer this Program through online education.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with Majors in Adapted, Elementary (K-6), and Secondary (7-12) Physical Education
| General Education Requirements |
51 credits |
| Core Course Requirements in Education |
32 credits |
| Core Course Requirements in the Major |
37 credits |
| Major Requirements |
12-15 credits |
| Elective Courses* |
3 credits |
| Total |
135-138 credits |
General Education Requirements - 51 credits
Fifty-one (51) credits are required in General Education for this Program. In addition to GEHS 2010, students will take GEHS 4020 and 4030 in the Historic and Social Context category. Students will take courses GEPE 4040 and GEPE 3010 or 3020 to fulfill the six credits required in the Philosophical and Esthetic Thought category.
Core Course Requirements in Education - 32 credits
| EDUC 1080 | Field Experiences in The Educational Scenario I | 1 |
| EDUC 2021 | History and Philosophy of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 2022 | Society and Education | 3 |
| EDUC 2031 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 2032 | Learning Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 2060 | Integration of Technology in Education | 2 |
| EDUC 2870 | The Exceptional Student Population | 4 |
| EDUC 2890 | Field Experiences in The Educational Scenarios Ii | 2 |
| EDUC 3015 | Clinical Experiences in The Educational Scenario I | 2 |
| EDUC 4013 | Clinical Experiences in the Educational Scenario II | 4 |
| EDUC 4551 | Integration of Basic Knowledge and Communication Skills | 1 |
| EDUC 4552 | Integration of Professional Skills | 1 |
| HIST 3010 | Historical Process of the United States of America | 3 |
Core Course Requirements in the Major - 37 credits
| HPER 2140 | Experiences in Movement I | 2 |
| HPER 2210 | Fundamentals of Physical Education and Sport Technology | 3 |
| HPER 2220 | Experiences in Movement II | 2 |
| HPER 2330 | First Aid and Personal Safety for Children, Youth and Adults | 3 |
| HPER 2270 | Kinesiology and Functional Anatomy | 3 |
| HPER 3310 | Experiences in Movement III | 2 |
| HPER 3330 | Fundamental Skills and Training in Team Sports IV | 3 |
| HPER 3350 | Motor Learning and Analysis of Movement | 3 |
| HPER 3360 | Fundamental Skills and Training in Individual Sports V | 3 |
| HPER 3430 | Personal and Community Health and Safety | 3 |
| HPER 4020 | Administration of Physical Education, Wellness, Health and Sport Programs | 3 |
| HPER 4170 | Physiology of Human Movement | 3 |
| HPER 4370 | The Teaching of Physical Education for Special Populations | 3 |
Major Requirements - 12 or 15 credits
Students must choose one of the following majors: Adapted Physical Education, Elementary Level, Secondary Level.
Major Requirements for Adapted Physical Education - 15 credits
Courses for the Major Adapted Physical Education
| HPER 3470 | Motor Therapy for Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| HPER 3475 | Theory and Design of Programs for Special Populations | 3 |
| HPER 3495 | Principles of Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| HPER 4130 | Evaluation, Assessment and Research in the Teaching and Learning of Adapted Physical Education | 3 |
| EDUC 3885 | Educational Theories and Technological Resources for the Teaching of Adapted Physical Education | 3 |
Major Requirements for Physical Education: Elementary Level - 12 credits
Courses for the Major Physical Education: Elementary Level
| HPER 3160 | Educational and Recreational Games in the Curriculum for the Elementary Level | 3 |
| HPER 3220 | Theory and Design of Physical Education Programs for the Elementary Level K-6 | 3 |
| HPER 4110 | Evaluation, Assessment and Research in the Teaching and Learning of Physical Education K-6 | 3 |
| EDUC 3878 | Educational Theory, Methodology and Technological Resources in the Teaching of Physical Education at the Elementary Level | 3 |
Major Requirements for Physical Education: Secondary Level - 12 credits
Courses for the Major Physical Education: Secondary Level
| HPER 3230 | Theory and Design of Physical Education Programs Level 7-12 | 3 |
| HPER 4120 | Evaluation, Assessment and Research in the Teaching and Learning of Physical Education 7-12 | 3 |
| HPER 4305 | Sport Training Methodology | 3 |
| EDUC 3875 | Educational Theory, Methodology and Technological Resources in the Teaching of Physical Education at the Secondary Level 7-12 | 3 |
*Elective courses - 3 credits
In order for a candidate to aspire to teacher certification in Physical Education K-12 that the Department of Education of Puerto Rico grants in harmony with the Certification Regulation (2012), the candidate must have approved two methodology courses: one K-6 and another 7-12. For this reason:
- the student of Physical Education at the Elementary Level will select EDUC 3875 as an elective course.
- the student of Physical Education at the Secondary Level will select EDUC 3878 as an elective course.
However, if the student cannot select EDUC 3875 or EDUC 3878 (according to the major) as an elective course, the student must take the course as an additional degree requirement. In these cases, the student will take a total of 137 credits, instead of 134.