Western Kentucky University
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Departments >> PE & Recreation >> Overview

Program Overview

Tomorrow's young professionals will face numerous and complex challenges in a Physical Education career. To meet these challenges, Western Kentucky University offers a variety of contemporary academic programs which will enable them to successfully compete in the job market.

Whether the market is teaching physical education in a school system, coaching an athletic team, working with the physical handicapped, heading a recreation program, working in therapeutic recreation, in outdoor education or other recreation settings, Western offers fully accredited preparation programs to support these career choices.

To facilitate this preparation, WKU's Physical Education & Recreation Department has designed rigorous professional preparation programs of study.

Western's commitment to professional preparation has been recognized by the National Association of Sport and Physical Education as 1 of only 35 colleges and universities nationwide to meet demanding certification standards for both undergraduate and graduate programs.

The Recreation and Park Administration curriculum has been accredited since 1980. This accreditation is by the National Recreation and Park Association and American Association of Leisure and Recreation.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Bachelor of Science Degrees in Physical Education are structured around an Outcome-Based Curriculum. Here the student will take blocks of courses that emphasize the scientific basis of movement, acquisition of psychomotor skills, physical wellness, and lifetime physical activities and sport. In addition, this curriculum requires in excess of 150 hours of practical experience with successful completion leading to a K-12 certification.

Bachelor of Science Degrees in Recreation and Park Administration are designed to provide a core of classes to insure the acquisition of general knowledge needed and elective courses to provide specific knowledge in desired areas of recreation. These areas include, but are not limited to, public, therapeutic, outdoor and commercial recreation.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Master of Science or Master of Arts Degree may be obtained through the department's highly respected and nationally recognized graduate program. The Master's Degree program of study carries a minimum requirement of 30 semester hours with at least 18 hours completed in the Physical Education curriculum. Remaining hours are selected from other fields and are tailored to fit each individual's career objective.

GRADUATE AREAS OF EMPHASIS

Pedagogy
Scientific Basis of Motor Learning & Performance

The Master of Science in Recreation is available for graduate students and may be used for advanced study and/or as preparation for the student planning to pursue doctoral study. The Recreation degree at Western Kentucky University is nationally recognized and has the flexibility to meet the individual's needs. The Master of Science degree has a thesis and non-thesis option.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Financial Assistance is available to qualified students, either in undergraduate or graduate programs. Loans, grants and / or employment are available to defray the costs of education. Graduate students, if qualified, are eligible for graduate assistantships while also receiving excellent on-the-job training. Additionally, students may want to seek employment off campus for which there are ample opportunities in the Bowling Green area.

FACULTY

It has been stated that "lifelong development of skills is the hallmark of a true professional." Western's commitment to this belief ranks second to none. Not only does WKU's Physical Education & Recreation faculty boast expertise in adapted physical education, movement education, the scientific basis of motor learning, state-of-the-art technological applications, pedagogy, recreation management and planning and supervision, but it also displays an excellent record of professional related service and leadership at local, state, regional, and national levels.