Dr. Amanda Blaisdell, Graduate Program Director
(434) 395-2543, blaisdella@longwood.edu
The concentration in Health and Physical Education (HPE) is designed to enable the post-baccalaureate student to be better prepared to become an educational leader in the profession. For individuals who possess a valid teaching license, but no HPE endorsement, this concentration provides essential coursework, knowledge, skills and experience necessary for obtaining an HPE endorsement. Coursework has been carefully designed to provide the already licensed teacher with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively assess, plan, implement, and evaluate health and physical education curriculum. Students will receive a solid foundation in current trends in the discipline, the effective use of research, and how to artfully and strategically implement new knowledge and skills immediately. Concentration requirements include partnering with a school or community to plan, implement, and evaluate curriculum and/or community programs that positively impact student and community health. A five-credit internship will provide an opportunity to pursue an area of interest in a local school or community setting. Internship options include community health, health education, physical education, or adapted physical education. The concentration offers two tracks:
- Licensed Health and Physical Education (HPE) teachers Track - for candidates who possess a valid Virginia Collegiate Professional License or equivalent from another state with an endorsement in health and physical education.
- Licensed in a discipline other than Health and Physical Education (HPE) Track - for candidates who possess a valid Virginia Collegiate Professional License or equivalent from another state with an endorsement(s) in areas other than health and physical education.
Graduate students who elect to pursue the adapted physical education internship will meet all requirements to register for the national examination to become a Certified Adapted Physical Education specialist.
This concentration of the master’s degree is structured to permit the graduate student to complete the entire program in one calendar year (a summer session and two semesters) or as a part-time student with completion of the program beyond the one calendar year up to a maximum of five years.
Admission
Prior to starting their graduate program, students must hold a conferred bachelor’s degree or international equivalent from a college or university accredited by the appropriate institutional (formerly regional) accreditation agency. Applicants to this concentration must possess a valid Virginia Collegiate Professional License or equivalent from another state at the time of admission.
In addition to the above, applicants must have:
- a 2.75 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- a minimum of two recommendations
- a 500-word personal essay
- a résumé
- official transcripts of the bachelor’s degree and any course work completed after that degree.
Professional Portfolio
All students in the health and physical education graduate concentration complete HLTH 691 - Professional Portfolio as the culminating experience and exit requirement of this concentration of the program. Students are scaffolded by their advisor throughout the program regarding professional portfolio requirements. The portfolio is electronic. Grading is Pass/Not Pass. A grade of incomplete (I) may not be assigned. A student who earns a Not Pass is allowed to retake HLTH 691 once. Should the student earn a second Not Pass, the student will be dismissed from the graduate program.
General Requirements: Development of a portfolio provides each candidate opportunities for reflection and self-evaluation, which documents their mastery of program/concentration standards and highlights their growth throughout the program/concentration.
Administrative procedures for culmination of the process:
- student registers for HLTH 691 - Professional Portfolio ;
- portfolio will be reviewed and evaluated by program faculty members and faculty from related disciplines;
- candidate will present a synopsis of the Professional Portfolio to the committee on a date selected within the semester enrolled in HLTH 691 ; and
- instructor will record the collaborated grade of P/NP for the course.
Concentration Outcomes
Assessment
Students will be able to assess the needs of the population they serve and the effectiveness of health and/or physical education-related interventions and programs.
Planning
Students will plan health and/or physical education-related interventions and programs based on the needs and characteristics of the population they serve.
Implementation
Students will implement health and/or physical education interventions and programs according to strategically developed plans based on the needs and characteristics of the populations served.
Leadership and Responsibility to the Profession
Students will demonstrate a commitment to the advocacy of health and/or physical education in all academic and internship-related activities. Commitment and advocacy activities may include disseminating curriculum, research, and community health programs with the public, drafting peer-reviewed publications, securing grant funding for local schools or communities, and/or developing and implementing health and wellness events for the University or health setting.
Employment and Earning Potential
Students will be able to accomplish at least one of the following outcomes as a result of completing the program: secure full-time employment and benefits package, obtain a promotion, obtain a leadership position, obtain a new teaching endorsement in HPE, or obtain a new career directly related to their postgraduate experience.
Program Growth Plan
Marketing, recruiting, and course design, to improve the program and align with national and state standards.
