Specializations and Minors

In order to graduate with a bachelors degree from the University of North Dakota, all students are required to: complete the University's General Education Requirements (39 credits in English Composition, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science, Math, and Technology); a minimum of three credits of the General Education requirements must meet the World Cultures designation. Starting Fall 2008 (Spring 2009 for transfer students) all Freshmen are required to complete the essential studies program (Essential studies replaces the General Education Requirements, see details on Registar’s website) and complete a minimum of 125 semester credits or college-level courses; complete the specific requirements of a major, and have achieved a grade point average of at least 2.00. Graduation requirements related to transfer of courses from other institutions and to courses taken while not in residence on campus are published in the UND Academic Catalog.

Graduation with the major in Physical Education and Exercise Science requires a minimum grade point average of 2.20. The Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science offers 1 major with three specialization options. Physical Education and Exercise Science (teaching-Option A and two non-teaching tracks-Options B & C). The Department also offers two minors: Athletic Coaching and Health Education.

Option A: Teacher Education/Certification Option

PXW Option A is teacher education and leads to K-12 teacher certification in North Dakota. More Information HERE

1. Prerequisite Courses (F=Fall, S=Spring)

• CHEM 115/115L Introduction to Chemistry (4 credits, F,S)
• PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits, F,S)
• SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits, F,S)
• ANAT 204/204L Anatomy for Paramedical Personnel (3/2 credits, F,S)
• PPT 301 Mechanics of Human Physiology (4 credits, F,S) or PXW 499 ST: Human Movement Physiology (4 Credits, S)

2. Required Physical Education Core

• NUTR 240 Fundamentals of Nutrition (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 326 Fundamentals of Physical Conditioning (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 310 First Aid/CPR (2 credits, F,S)
• PXW 355 Applied Motor Development (3 credits, S)
• PXW 404 Adapted Physical Education (2 credits, S)
• PXW 276 Motor Learning (3 credits, S )
• PXW 332 Biomechanics (4 credits, F)
• PXW 401 Sport Sociology (3 credits, F)
• PXW 402 Exercise Physiology (4 credits, F)
• PXW 440 Sport Psychology (3 credits, S)

3. Teacher Education Option A

Requires a minimum of 30 credits and 2.75 GPA to apply to the Teaching and Learning program

• PXW 205 Physical Education for the Elem. Grades (3 credits, F)
• PXW 224-236 Movement Performance and Analysis (9 credits, F,S) (1 credit per class)
• PXW 323 Intro. to Teaching in Physical Education and Sport Settings (3 credits, F)
• PXW 323L Lab - Intro. to Teaching... (1 credit, F)
• PXW 400 Methods and Materials for Teaching Secondary Phys. Ed. (3 credits, F)
• PXW 400L Lab - Methods and Materials... ( 1 credit, F)
• PXW 403 School Health Education (2 credits, S)
• PXW 406 Strategies for Teaching Phy. Ed. in the Elementary School (3 credits, S)
• PXW 406L Lab - Strategies for Teaching... (1 credit, S)
• PXW 487 Senior Teaching Seminar (1 credit, F,S)

4. Center for Teaching and Learning

Teacher Education Certification Sequence, including 14 credits of Secondary Education and 16 credits of student teaching. (30 credits total)

Note: The teacher certification programs involving physical education offered through the department of teaching and learning; and PXW leads to a K-12 PE teacher certification.  All programs feature several school-based supervised field experiences, designed to help students develop their teaching ability. Over the last five years these programs have been regionally and nationally recognized for innovation in teacher education.

Required Teaching and Learning Courses

• T & L 350 Introduction to Teaching (3 credits)
• T & L 345 Curriculum Development and Instruction (3 credits)
• T & L 390 Special Topics (2 credits) or PXW 327 Fitness for Life (3 credits) 
• T & L 433 Multicultural Education (3 credits)

Option B: Physical Education and Exercise Science Related Areas Options

Option B is professional preparation for non-teaching physical education positions. A student who selects Option B will complete the major core of required courses and choose a complementary major or minor program. Nutrition, sociology, psychology, natural science and other minors have been selected by students in the past. Combined majors, such as with psychology or athletic training are also appropriate. Depending on the student's interest, field experiences in professional settings may be elected for credit.

1. Prerequisite Courses

• CHEM 115/115L Introduction to Chemistry (4 credits, F,S)
• PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits, F,S)
• SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits, F,S)
• ANAT 204/204L Anatomy for Paramedical Personnel (3/2 credits, F,S)
• PPT 301 Mechanics of Human Physiology (4 credits, F,S) or PXW 499 ST: Human Movement Physiology (4 Credits, S)

2. Required Physical Education Core

• NUTR 240 Fundamentals of Nutrition (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 276 Motor Learning (3 credits, S)
• PXW 326 Fundamentals of Physical Conditioning (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 310 First Aid/CPR (2 credits, F,S)
• PXW 355 Applied Motor Development (3 credits, S)
• PXW 404 Adapted Physical Education (2 credits, S)
• PXW 332 Biomechanics (4 credits, F)
• PXW 401 Sport Sociology (3 credits, F)
• PXW 402 Exercise Physiology (4 credits, F)
• PXW 440 Sport Psychology (3 credits, S)

3. Minor or second major in a subject area related to physical education

PXW 224-236 Movement performance analysis (3 credits, F,S)

• 1 Aquatic, 1 Individual Sport, and 1 Team Sport

Option C: Non-Teaching Exercise Science Applications Area

1. Prerequisite Courses

• CHEM 115/115L Introduction to Chemistry (4 credits, F,S)
• PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits, F,S)
• SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits, F,S)
• ANAT 204/204L Anatomy for Paramedical Personnel (3/2 credits, F,S)
• PPT 301 Mechanics of Human Physiology (4 credits, F,S) or PXW 499 ST: Human Movement Physiology (4 Credits, S)

2. Required Physical Education Core

• NUTR 240 Fundamentals of Nutrition (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 326 Fundamentals of Physical Conditioning (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 310 First Aid/CPR (2 credits, F,S)
• PXW 355 Applied Motor Development (3 credits,S)
• PXW 404 Adapted Physical Education (2 credits, S)
• PXW 276 Motor Learning (3 credits, S)
• PXW 332 Biomechanics (4 credits, F)
• PXW 401 Sport Sociology (3 credits, F)
• PXW 402 Exercise Physiology (4 credits, F)
• PXW 440 Sport Psychology (3 credits, S)

Required 10 Credits

• PXW 224-236 Movement Performance and Analysis (3 credits, F,S) - 1 Aquatic, 1 Individual Sport, 1 Team Sport
• PXW 485 Internship (4 credits required may take up to10 credits, F,S)
• PXW 426 Exercise Testing and Prescription (3 credits, F)

The remaining 8-14 credits from:

• PXW 207/207L Injury Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 240 Introduction to Wellness (2 credits, F,S)
• PXW 375 Fundamentals of Group Exercise Instruction (3 credits, S)
• PXW 376 Professional Skills in Personal Training (3 credits, F)
• PXW 327 Fitness for Life (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 423 Coaching Methods (in Strength Training) (2 credits, F)

Plus future classes to be developed such as "Physical Activity and Weight Management" and "Exercise and Stress Management"

And/or other credits chosen in consultation with a PXW advisor to attain the minimum of 24 credits.

MINOR IN ATHLETIC COACHING

Required 27 credits

• PXW 109 Introduction to coaching (1 credit, F,S)
• PXW 207/207L Prevention and care of injuries (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 224-236 Movement performance analysis (3 credits, F,S)*
• PXW 323 Intro. to teaching in Phys. Ed. and Sport Settings (3 credits, F)
• PXW 323L Lab - Intro. to Teaching... (1 credit, F)
• PXW 326 Fundamentals of conditioning (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 325 Youth and children in sport (3 credits, F)
• PXW 341 Organization and Admin. of athletics (2 credits, S)
• PXW 424-436 Coaching methods (6 credits, F,S)*
• PXW 486 Practicum in coaching (2 credits, F,S)

* 224-236 and 424-436 should be same sports ie, 236H Football, 436H Coaching Methods of Football Students interested in a minor in athletic coaching should consult with an advisor in PXW before beginning the minor. This is necessary to insure that courses are appropriately tracked toward the practicum.

MINOR IN HEALTH EDUCATION

Required 21 hours, including:

• PXW 310 First Aid and CPR (2 credits, F,S)
• PXW 327 Fitness for life (3 credits, F,S)
• PXW 403 School health education (2 credits, S)
• PSY 251 Developmental psychology (4 credits, F, S)
• NUTR 240 Fundamentals of nutrition (3 credits, F,S)

One course from each of the following 3 groups (7-10 credits)

Group I

• BIOL 124 Environmental Science (2 credits, F)
• GEOL 103 Introduction to environmental issues (3 credits, S)

Group II

• T&L 252 Child development (3 credits, F,S)
• SOC 335 The family (3 credits, S)

Group III

• PPT 410 Drugs subject to abuse (2 credits, S)
• SOC 355 Drugs and society (3 credits, S)
• SWK 410 Addiction dynamics (2 credits, S)

Special Topics and other courses may be substituted only with PXW advisor approval. Students interested in a minor in Health Education should consult with an advisor in PXW before beginning the minor.