Master of Science: Adapted PE

 Introduction 

In the Fall of 2002, the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, awarded a special physical education teacher preparation training grant to the Texas Woman's University Department of Kinesiology.

This five-year program provides financial assistance to enable at least 17 promising graduate interns (particularly from historically underrepresented populations) to complete this research-based curriculum integrated into the pedagogical knowledge and practice that will lead to a Master’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Special Physical Education.

The former program was significantly improved and made accessible by providing some courses on-line and utilizing computer-assisted instruction while expanding on-hands practicum experiences with low-incidence populations. The foundations for the revised program of study are the knowledge and skills identified in the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (Kelly, 1995) with a focus on students with low-incidence disabilities.

This is a 36-hr thesis program that allows interns to take additional courses in special education. Even with the additional coursework, interns will be able to complete their degree in one calendar year instead of the historically typical two or more years under the traditional thesis option.

The purpose of the preparation is to prepare professional educators with the ability to provide services for children and youth with low-incidence disabilities, including those with: severe intellectual deficiencies, sensory impairments, mobility impairments, multiple disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and autism in the least restrictive environment. Emphasis will be placed on providing these services with full participation in their neighborhood schools and communities (i.e., inclusion, transitional services).

In addition, the project staff and interns will design and implement a Texas Special Physical Education hotline, parent workshops, and in-home training program with access to an equipment check out system. Partnerships with paraprofessionals (e.g., occupational and physical therapists, special educators) will be encouraged and facilitated. This program for each intern will culminate in a professional portfolio, a Master of Science degree, and taking the Adapted Physical Education National Standards Examination.
 

 Non–Thesis Option (36 hrs) 

Required Courses (6 hrs):

• KINS 5023 Methods of Research
• KINS 5033 Applied Statistical Principles

Major Courses (15-18 hrs):

• KINS 5123 Professional Affiliation in Adapted Physical Education
• KINS 5603 Growth and Perceptual-Motor Development
• KINS 5793 Enhancing Behavior and Performance in Physical Education Environments
• KINS 5843 Issues in Adapted Physical Education
• KINS 5853 Appraisal of Psychomotor Dysfunctions in Adapted Physical Education
• KINS 5873 Aquatics for Special Populations
• KINS 5883 Disability and Sport
• KINS 5903 Pedagogy in Adapted Physical Education
• KINS 5923 Administration and Service Delivery in Public School APE

Minor Courses (9-12 hrs):

Students, through the advisement with faculty, can select a maximum of 12 hours for a minor. These courses can be with and/or outside our Department. No more than 9 hours though can be taken outside our Department. Some of the Departments that have been used by past students in this emphasis have been: Early Childhood, Special Education, and School Administration.

Non–Thesis Project (3 hrs):

Students with option can select one of two approaches to meet this requirement. The following is a short description of each approach.

1. A student can select a project which will be a direct extension of knowledge derived from one or 
more of his/her major courses of study. Illustrative projects that have been completed are: Adapted Aquatic Administrative Program Guide for Denton ISD, Adapted physical Education Guide for Irving ISD, Role of Adapted Aquatics Programs in Public Schools in the United States, Programming in Adapted Aquatics in the United States.

2. A student can select to successfully complete a long–term internship (120–hour minimum) that includes the development of a power point presentation to your faculty supervisory committee when near graduation. These internships must be an extension of information obtained from one or more courses within their major sequence. Two illustrations of an internship would be to attend Camp Abilities in New York or the Paralympic Games.
 

 Thesis Option (30 hrs) 

Required Courses (6 hrs):

• KINS 5023 Method of Research
• KINS 5033 Applied Statistical Principles 

APE Core Courses (12 hrs):

The student is requested to take a minimum of 12 hours to be selected from one of the following major sequences. The actual courses included in each student’s studies will be determined by the student and her/his program committee.

• KINS 5123 Professional Affiliation in Adapted Physical Education
• KINS 5603 Growth and Perceptual–Motor Development 
• KINS 5793 Enhancing Behavior and performance in Physical Education Environment 
• KINS 5843 Issues in Adapted Physical Education 
• KINS 5853 Appraisal of Psychomotor Dysfunctions in Adapted Physical Education
• KINS 5873 Aquatics for Special Populations 
• KINS 5883 Disability and Sport 
• KINS 5903 Pedagogy in Adapted Physical Education
• KINS 5923 Administration and Service Delivery in Public School APE

Related Area (6 hrs):

The student can take a maximum of 6 hours outside our Department. The actual courses included in each student’s studies will be determined by the student and her/his program committee.

Thesis (6 hrs):

Student will select a research project with the assistance of his/her research committee. This involves writing the first three chapters of the thesis and receiving permission to initiate his/her study (Thesis I). The study then is initiated and successfully completed (Thesis II).
 

 Portfolio

All students, no matter which option, are required to develop an academic portfolio. The development of portfolios will be a continual process that will be evaluated through the student’s academic program in specific Kinesiology courses. The completed portfolio will be evaluated just prior to graduation by the student’s faculty advisory committee.
 

 Contact Us 

Send enquiries related to the MS program in Adapted PE to Dr. Ron French.