Physical and Sport Education: MEd

The MEd degree provides an advanced course of study for students interested in teaching physical education and coaching. The master of education in health, physical education, and recreation is a non-thesis option for off-campus professionals, such as teachers, coaches, school administrators, and other fitness professionals. The degree is designed to promote best practices and enhance discipline knowledge in professionals currently employed in public school districts, private schools, and other community-oriented agencies. All courses are presently offered through USU's Distance Education Program using interactive broadcast technology. Students can participate in this program from the main campus in Logan as well as at one of USU’s regional campuses or education sites throughout the state.

• MEd -  Logan , Beaver, Bicknell, Blanding (USU Eastern), Brigham City, Castle Dale, Cortez, Delta, Ephraim, Heber City, Junction, Kanab, Kaysville, Milford, Moab, Montezuma Creek, Monticello, Monument Valley, Nephi, Orem, Price (USU Eastern), Richfield, Roosevelt (Uintah Basin), Salt Lake, Tooele, Tremonton, Vernal (Uintah Basin), Wendover

Students receiving the MEd will be qualified to teach physical education and work as school coaches in various areas.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants are accepted from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds, but they must have a current teaching license or be working toward one.

Application Requirements:

• Complete the online application
• Pay the $55 application fee
• Score at or above the 40^th percentile on the GRE or MAT
• Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
• Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Admissions Deadlines

The program has rolling admission, meaning the department will continue to consider and accept applications until the program is full. The time it takes to process an application is primarily dependent on the speed with which the School of Graduate Studies receives letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores. For most students, this process may take six to eight weeks. Applicants should plan accordingly.

Program Requirements

Students must complete a 75-hour practicum course where they will intern with a mentoring physical education teacher.

There is also a creative project component, where students focus on their professional interest, such as the development or improvement of curriculum materials, teaching techniques, a management system, or an evaluations system. The process consists of a written proposal, the project presentation, and a meeting with the graduate committee to decide if the project passes.

Master's Degree Plan Option(s)

Students can receive the MEd by pursuing the following option:

• The Plan C is comprised of coursework and a creative project (see Program Requirements below). It does not involve a thesis, but the project does require completion of a successful defense meeting.

Financial Assistance

The department awards 20 graduate assistantships each year for qualified graduate students to teach in the HPER physical activity program, selected undergraduate academic courses and laboratory sections, and work with faculty with ongoing research projects. Each first-year graduate assistant or teaching assistant is awarded $6,700 and is expected to earn Utah residency status to receive the in-state tuition and fees schedule. Applications for assistantships are available year-round, and students may begin either in the fall or spring semester. Applicants are evaluated based on previous academic success, experience and/or ability to teach a variety of activity classes and/or research potential or background in the HPER discipline.

A variety of additional funding opportunities are available, including fellowships, scholarships, tuition awards, and travel support. Additionally, students may be eligible for subsidized health insurance through qualifying assistantships.

• Physical and Sport Education - MEd

Ginni Dilworth, PhD, Texas A&M University
Assistant Professor
Area: Parks and recreation
Office: HPER 145
Phone: (435) 797-8844
Email: ginni.dilworth@usu.edu

Dennis Dolny, PhD, Kent State University
Department Head and Professor
Area: Exercise Physiology, Aquatic Exercise Evaluation
Office: HPER 122 A
Phone: (435) 797-7579
Email: dennis.dolny@usu.edu

Hilda Fronske, EdD, Brigham Young University
Associate Professor
Area: Motor learning
Office: HPER 142
Phone: (435) 797-1507
Email: hilda.fronske@usu.edu

Julie Gast, PhD, Southern Illinois University
Professor of Health Education and Promotion, MPH Director
Area: Community health
Office: HPER 138
Phone: (435) 797-1490
Email: julie.gast@usu.edu

Richard Gordin, EdD, University of Utah
Professor
Area: Motor learning, sport psychology
Office: HPER 136
Phone: (435) 797-1506
Email: rich.gordin@usu.edu

Donna Gordon, MFA, University of Utah
Associate Professor
Area: Movement therapy, stress management
Office: HPER 146
Phone: (435) 797-1487
Email: donna.gordon@usu.edu

Edward Heath, PhD, Oregon State University
Professor
Area: Exercise physiology
Office: HPER 161
Phone: (435) 797-3306
Email: edward.heath@usu.edu

John Kras, EdD, East Texas State University
Associate Professor
Area: Coaching
Office: HPER 135
Phone: (435) 797-3881
Email: john.kras@usu.edu

Mark Roark, PhD, University of Utah
Assistant Professor
Area: Parks and recreation
Office: HPER 134
Phone: (435) 797-3468
Email: mark.roark@usu.edu

Dale Wagner, PhD, University of New Mexico
Professor
Area: Exercise physiology
Office: HPER 155
Phone: (435) 797-8253
Email: dale.wagner@usu.edu

Phillip Waite, PhD, University of Utah
Associate Professor
Area: Community health
Office: HPER 140
Phone: (435) 797-7217
Email: phillip.waite@usu.edu

Rolayne Wilson, EdD, University of North Carolina – Greensboro
Associate Professor
Area: Elementary physical education
Office: HPER 132
Phone: (435) 797-1508
Email: rolayne.wilson@usu.edu

Professional Organizations, Honor Societies, and Clubs

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance: AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, sport and coaching, dance, health education and promotion, and all specialties related to achieving a healthy and active lifestyle.

Labs, Centers, Research

Center for the School of the Future: The CSF is a research center dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of education by identifying effective educational practices and supporting their dissemination and adoption in local circumstances.

Edith Bowen Laboratory School: EBLS is one of Utah’s charter schools, offering services to more than 300 students grades K-5. The school, in cooperation with Utah State University, trains more than 200 pre-service teachers preparing to become professional educators, as well as supporting several other departments/colleges on campus, including special education, physical education, music, psychology, and business. Because the school is funded through state funds and donations, no tuition is charged to students.

Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Building: The HPER building contains approximately 50,000 square feet of programming space. It houses the HPER Department and USU Campus Recreation advising and faculty offices, a number of classrooms, three gymnasiums, one dance studio, two swimming pools, a 1,500-square-foot weight room, six racquetball courts, and male and female locker rooms. Adjacent to the HPER building is a grass outdoor facility used for activity classes, club sports, and intramurals. Eight outdoor tennis courts complete the HPER complex.