The Department of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Studies offers state and nationally accredited teacher education programs in Physical Education (P-12) and Health Education (6-12). Non-teacher certification concentrations in Physical Education include Sports Injury Management (Athletic Training) and Exercise Science. A major is offered in Leisure Studies with concentrations in Therapeutic Recreation, and General Recreation. The department also provides a basic physical activity instructional program for all University students through courses in physical fitness, lifetime sports, dance, and martial arts.

II. Requirements for Physical Education (P- 12) Class B Teacher Certification
HS 170, 262, 263, 362, 460; PE 100, 106, 130, 166, 201, 282, 351, 370, 380, 381, 452, 461, 474, 475, 476, 478, 430 and 460 or 470, two (2) additional and different one-hour activity courses; BLY 151, EPY 251, EDF 211, 315; EDM 310 or 312, and SPE 400.

III. Requirement for Non-Certification Physical Education (Exercise Science).
HS 170, 262, 263, 362, 460; PE 100, 166, 201, 282, 351, 370, 380, 381, 474, 475, 476, 495; EPY 251; EDM 310 or 312; BLY 151, HS/PE elective and four (4) different one hour PE activities.

IV. Requirements for Non-Certification Physical Education-Sports Injury Management (Athletic Training).
HS 262, 263, 362, 460; PE 100, 201, 282, 296, 297, 370, 380, 381, 385, 386, 396, 397, 474, 475, 476, 480, 481, 482, 496, 497, 499; BLY 121, 151 and 152; EDM 310 or 312, one (1) hour PE activity; EMT 200, 205, 206; PSY 120; PH 114.

Additional departmental requirements will be listed on HPELS advising sheets (see advisor).

Successful completion of the Athletic Training program prepares the student for the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Certification Examination administered by the NATA Board of Certification.

The SIM-AT curriculum consists of the academic courses listed within the Physical Education Non-Teacher Certification Program (see Departmental advising sheet). Internship and clinical experiences are designed so that the student may fulfill the 1500 hours of athletic training experience needed for graduation and the NATA Certification Examination. The curriculum is divided into Pre-Professional and Professional Components.

The Pre-Professional Component provides the student with basic study in the General Studies Program of the University and in basic course study and clinical experiences in Athletic Training. Formal application is required for entrance into the Professional Component with the number of students admitted limited. To ensure that all interested students are given an equal opportunity to compete for the clinical positions that are available each year. Applications are evaluated using the following criteria:

1. completed application submitted to the program director by April 1st;
     
2. completion of the designated course work or equivalent courses approved by the program director with grades of "C" or better;
      
3. strength of academic performance in the designated course work;
      
4. minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the time of application;
      
5. evaluation of the student’s performance during the pre-professional clinical experience;
      
6. personal interview by the Program Selection Committee;
      
7. EMT certification or licensure.

Students accepted into the Professional Component should be prepared for extra expenses including books, lab fees, supplies, personal liability insurance, and travel to and from clinical facilities. The Pre-Professional program requirements are the same as the requirements for admission to candidacy. Other requirements may exist for NATA Certification and are in addition to the Sport Injury Management curriculum. Program requirements including candidacy and retention are found on Departmental advising sheets available from advisor.

Additional Departmental requirements will be listed in HPELS advising sheets (see advisor).

II. Requirements for Health Education (6-12) Class B Teacher Certification
HS 170, 262, 263, 351, 361, 362, 460, 463; PE 100 and one (1) hour activity course; BLY 151, 152; SED 340, 341, 464; EDF 211, 315; EPY 251, 455; EDM 310 or 312; SPE 400; RED 351.
Secondary teaching field required (Biology)

III. Requirements for Non-Certification Health Education
HS 170, 262, 263, 351, 361, 362, 460, 463; PE 100, 201, 381, 475, 476, 495, and one (1) hour activity course; BLY 151, 152, 205, 215 or 311; SY 220, PSY 120; EPY 251; EDM 310 or 312.

Additional Departmental requirements will be listed in HPELS advising sheets (see advisor).

Additional requirements may be needed for National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. See departmental advisors for specific NCTRC requirements.

Minors are available in Biology, Business, Geography, Psychology, and Sociology. See specific subject areas for requirements.

The following are the criteria to be considered by the Student Services Committee:

1. Completion of 60 semester hours of course work, 48 of which must be in General Studies.
      
2. A minimum overall grade-point average of 2.2 (2.5 in SIM-AT) in the major/ specialization and a grade-point average of 2.2 (2.5 in SIM-AT) on all work attempted at the University of South Alabama.
      
3. Satisfactory performance on the College of Education Reading Examination (IDE 010) or equivalent.
       
4. Sufficient physical ability and emotional stability to perform successfully as a professional. These and other factors could be determined in a departmental interview.
      
5. Recommendation of advisor and department chair.
      
6. Completion of any departmental prerequisite courses.
      
7. LS majors must complete EH 101, 102; LS 191, 292 or 295, 391, CA 110 and any departmental prerequisite courses, in addition to the above.
      
8. PE majors (Exercise Science) must complete EH 101, 102; PE 100, 166, 201; HS 170, 262, 263; BLY 151, CA 110, and any departmental prerequisite courses, in addition to the above.
      
9. HS majors must complete EH 101, 102; PE 100, 201; HS 170, 262, 263; BLY 151 and 152; CA 110, and any departmental prerequisite courses, in addition to the above.
      
10. Sport Injury Management (Athletic Training) majors must complete EH 101, 102; PE 100, 201, 282, 296, 297, 380; HS 262, 263; BLY 121 and 152; CA 110, PH 114, PSY 120, EMT 200, 205, 206 and any departmental requirements or prerequisite courses, in addition to the above.

The Student Services Committee may recommend the admission of the student to the program, defer admission, or reject the student’s application.

Option 1: Physical Education (P-12)
A. Curriculum and Teaching (six hours)
HPE 506 and 521 or 530

B. Educational Foundations (six hours)
Select One: EPY 502 or 521
Select One: EDF 501 or 515

C. Research and Evaluation (three hours)
IDE 510

D. Student chooses one from: (three hours)
IDE 620 or ST 540

E. Teaching Field (12 hours)
Twelve hours from HPE, HS course work (advisor recommendation required).

F. Electives (three hours)
All certification programs require SPE 500 or an introductory Special Education course if not taken at the undergraduate level.

Option 2: Health Education (6-12)
A. Curriculum and Teaching (six hours)
HS 560 and 520 or HPE 530

B. Educational Foundations (six hours)
Select One: EPY 502 or 521
Select One: EDF 501 or 515

C. Research and Evaluation (three hours)
IDE 510

D. Teaching Field (12 hours)
Twelve hours from HS, HPE course work (advisor recommendation required).

E. Electives (six hours)
All certification programs require SPE 500 or an introductory Special Education course if not taken at the undergraduate level.

Option 3: Non-Certification (HS, PE)
A. Required Core
PE: IDE 510; HPE 505, 516, 540, 570, 595, HS 563
HS: IDE 510; HS 562, 563; HPE 505, 595

B. Area of Specialization
12-18 hrs from advisor approved electives

Option 1: Physical Education P-12 (Alternative Master’s Degree Program)
A. Curriculum and Teaching (six hours)
HPE 506 and 521 or 530

B. Education Foundations (six hours)
EPY 502 and EDF 501

C. Research and Evaluation (three hours)
EPY 455

D. Teaching Field (15 hours)
Fifteen hours from HPE, HS course work (advisor recommendation required).

E. SPE 500 or SPE 400 (three hours)

F. Reading in the content field (three hours)
RED 541

G. Internship (six hours)
HPE 595

H. Technology Requirement (three hours)
see department for approved course

I. Additional Requirements:

1. All students must apply for candidacy prior to the completion of 18 hours.
2. Students must take a comprehensive examination of all courses taken.
3. Students may opt for a thesis.

Option 2: Health Education 6-12 (Alternative Master’s Degree Program)
A. Curriculum and Teaching (six hours)
HS 560 and 520 or 530

B. Educational Foundations (six hours)
EPY 502 and EDF 501

C. Research and Evaluation (three hours)
EPY 455

D. Teaching Field (15 hours)
Fifteen hours from HPE, HS course work (advisor recommendation required).

E. SPE 500 or SPE 400 (three hours)

F. Reading in the content field (three hours)
RED 541

G. Internship (six hours)
HPE 595

H. Technology Requirement (three hours)
see department for approved course

Exercise Technology
A. Required Core (12-15 hours)
Thesis (6-9 hours)
Practicum (3 hours)
IDE 510 (3 hours)

B. Area of Specialization (18-21 hours)
Advisor approved course work from areas such as: Organization and Administration, Exercise Physiology, Nutrition, Research, Stress Testing and Exercise Prescription.