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Historical Overview

Over the last four decades TWU has been on the cutting edge of the field now known as adapted physical education (APE). Dr. Sherrill had a vision of impacting the lives of young people with disabilities who yearned to be more active and involved in physical education. Drs. French, Silliman-French, and Davis currently lead the TWU progressive and respected nationally known doctoral and master’s programs. You too can make a difference in the lives of young people with disabilities and their families.

Claudine Sherrill	Jean Pyfer	Ron French
Carol Huettig	Lisa Silliman-French	Ron Davis

Undergraduate Program

Introduction to Adapted PE Program at TWU

Texas Woman’s University offers students a diversified and comprehensive academic course of study in the administration and implementation of physical activity programming for individuals with disabilities. Adapted physical education is an individualized program of developmental activities, exercises, games, rhythms, and sport designed to meet the unique physical education needs of individuals with disabilities. Texas Woman’s University provides students with an opportunity to teach and learn how to teach, assess, plan and implement instructional programs for students with disabilities. The TWU Adapted Physical Education instructors are the leaders in APE. TWU instructors provide their student with academic course experience as well as practical experience. TWU Adapted Physical Education program is funded through a grant from the United States Department of Education.

• TWU Undergraduate Handbook
• TWU Undergraduate APE Degree Plans

Facilities

Courses offered in state of the art facilities.

On-Campus Experiences

The undergraduate program features On Campus educational experiences

• APE practicum program
• TWU aquatics program for children with disabilities
• Climbing Wall Experiences
• Camp Life
• Special Olympics of Texas

Off-Campus Experiences

The undergraduate program utilizes Off Campus educational experiences:

• ISD School Programs
• Disability Sport Programs (e.g., Special Olympics and Wheelchair Basketball)
• Camp Abilities
• Professional Affiliations
• Conferences/Workshops
  • Texas American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAAHPERD)
  • American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD)
  • International Symposium on Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA)
  • National Conference on Physical Activity for the Exceptional Individual (NCPAEI)
• Visual Impairment Sports Extravaganza

Master's Program

Introduction

Texas Woman’s University’s Masters program in Adapted Physical Education is basically a 36-hour program, except for students pursuing a thesis option (30-hours). Students in the Master’s program work under the supervising of internationally known experts in the field of Adapted Physical Education. Masters students gain practical experiences through the TWU practicum.

The purpose of the TWU practicum course is to gain experience and have a greater understanding when working with children and youth with disabilities.  In this course, undergraduate students work with the supervision of masters students with children with disabilities from local schools.  The goals and objectives of the course are:  Evaluations, Preparation to Teach, Assessments, Individual Educational Program, Lesson Plans, Activities, and Final Report.

Full Time - The TWU full time masters program in Adapted Physical Education is a one year fast track program. A full time student is considered to be a student how is enrolled in 12 graduate hours with in the degree plan for APE. Currently full time APE graduate students receive funding from the United States Department of Education.  Under the grant full time students receive a monthly stipend and also paid tuition. The full time program consists of two full semesters (spring and fall) and one full summer.  Full time students also have to complete 20 practical experience hours a week. The majority of APE graduate student fulfill this requirement by serving as part time adapted physical educators in local Independent School Districts.

Part Time - The TWU part time program in Adapted Physical Education is individualized to the student to complete the 36-hours.  Traditionally a student will attend three summers or take one fall course, one spring course, and 2 summer classes for three years.  Currently these courses are paid by a grant thought the Department of Education.

• Requirements and Procedures
• Master of Science: Adapted PE
• Downloadable Master's Handbook

Facilities

Courses offered in state of the art facilities.

On-Campus Experiences

• APE practicum program
• TWU aquatics program for children with disabilities
• Climbing Wall Experiences
• Camp Life
• Special Olympics of Texas

Off-Campus Experiences

School District Programs - TWU APE masters students also serve as Adapted Physical Educator in Denton I.S.D, Lake Dallas I.S.D. and Little Elm I.S.D.  The APE masters students provide individualized adapted physical education programs in order to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.

• Denton Independent School District (Denton ISD): Denton Independent School District (Denton ISD) is large district that consists of 23 schools. The case load is approximately 150 students. Dr. Lisa Silliman–French is the adapted physical education and visually impaired program coordinator for Denton ISD.  For more information please visit the Denton ISD Adapted Physical Education web site http://www.dentonisd.org/sped/adaptedpe.htm.
• Lake Dallas Independent School District (Lake Dallas ISD): Lake Dallas ISD is located 10 minute south of Denton. Lake Dallas is a small district consisting of 6 schools. The case load for Lake Dallas ISD is approximately 20 students. Currently two master’s students are assigned to Lake Dallas: Blair Redmon and Dallas Jackson.  For contact information please visit the Lake Dallas Special Education website at http://www.ldisd.net/programs/specialed/.
• Little Elm Independent School District (Little Elm ISD)

Conferences/Workshops:

• Texas American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAAHPERD)
• American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD)
• International Symposium on Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA)
• National Conference on Physical Activity for the Exceptional Individual (NCPAEI)

Visual Impairment Sports Extravaganza

Job Opportunities with Master Degree from TWU

The master degree from Texas Woman’s University will help improve your teaching skills as an adapted physical education teacher. Furthermore you can have the opportunity to work in different administration setting as an adapted physical education consultant or in an administrative position in special education programs. Depending of your residency area, you can have the opportunity to work as a college or university professor teaching introductory APE courses. Additionally you will enlarge your skills to work as a coordinator of sports events for children and adults with disabilities.