The Master of Arts in Physical Education

Objectives:

The Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science at CSU, Chico offers the Master of Arts degree in Physical Education. The objectives of our graduate program are to develop skills, knowledge, and research experience so that students can take their place in the community as leaders, teachers, and researchers.

Course Requirements for the Master’s Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer credit may be applied toward the degree.
Graduate Time Limit: All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See “Graduate Education” in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in “Admission to Master’s Degree Programs” in The University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Programs.

3. A major or minor in Physical Education/Kinesiology from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Programs and the Graduate Coordinator or, in absence of a degree in Physical Education, completion of the following (or their equivalent): PHED 180A (Physiology of Exercise), PHED 185 (Kinesiology); and two additional courses to be determined by the Graduate Coordinator. These courses must be satisfactorily completed before enrollment in graduate-level courses.

4. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 units of undergraduate work.

5. A score of 1125 on the Graduate Record Examination, with no score below 375 for any section (verbal, quantitative, or analytical).

6. Evidence of computer literacy by completion of PHED 100 or an equivalent course or by examination.

7. Two letters of recommendation.

8. A letter of intent.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

A score of 1275 on the Graduate Record Examination, and no score on any section (verbal, quantitative, or analytical) below 425 (for direct admission to Classified Status).

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Completion at the university of the following 300-level courses:

PHED 300 Seminar in Physical Education 3.0 FS

PHED 301 Sem Phys Ed Research Statistics 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: PHED 184 or faculty permission.

PHED 302 Sem Phys Educ Research Design 3.0 FS

NOTE: PHED 300 should be taken in the first semester. PHED 301 should be taken before PHED 302.

2. Formation of the graduate advisory committee.

3. Development of an approved program of course work.

4. Approval of selection of a topic for the thesis or project proposal.

Requirements for the MA in Physical Education:

Completion of all requirements as established by the Department graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Programs, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 200/300-level courses as follows:
(a) At least 18 units must be in the discipline of Physical Education, including the following core courses for all students:

PHED 300 Seminar in Physical Education 3.0 FS

PHED 301 Sem Phys Ed Research Statistics 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: PHED 184 or faculty permission.

PHED 302 Sem Phys Educ Research Design 3.0 FS

NOTE: PHED 300 should be taken in the first semester of enrollment. PHED 301 should be taken before PHED 302.

(b) At least 21 of the units required for the degree must be in 300-level courses.
(c) In addition to core courses required above, completion of requirements for one of the following courses of study (consult the Graduate Coordinator for specific courses required):
(1) Adapted Physical Education
(2) Athletic Training
(3) Biomechanics
(4) Exercise Physiology
(5) Pedagogy
(6) Sport and Exercise Psychology
(7) Sports Studies
(d) At least 9 units of the program must be completed after advancement to candidacy.
(e) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not acceptable). Open University units are part of the 9-unit maximum.
(f) Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (398) and Master’s Thesis (399) or Master’s Project (399); not more than 6 units of Master’s Thesis (399) or 3 units of Master’s Project (399).

2. Completion and final approval of one of the following plans:
(a) Thesis or Project Plan:
Students will select 6 units of Master’s Thesis (PHED 399) or 3 units of Master’s Project (PHED 399), and will complete a thesis or project as specified by the graduate advisory committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and the departmental graduate committee. An oral defense of the thesis or project is required.
(b) Comprehensive Examination Plan:
In place of PHED 399, students will substitute additional units of 200- or 300-level course work that fits the curriculum track they have chosen to bring the total units for the degree to 30. In addition, they will satisfactorily complete a written comprehensive examination on the program of study.

3. Approval by the departmental graduate committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the university.

Option in Athletic Training Education

In addition to the admission requirements above, applicants to the Athletic Training Education Option must meet the following prerequisites:

Eligibility for the NATABOC Certification Exam

Eligibility requires:
1. Completion of an undergraduate degree.
2. Completion of required course work, including
(a) human anatomy (BIOL 003)
(b) human physiology (BIOL 004)
(c) beginning athletic training (PHED 116)
(d) advanced athletic training (PHED 117)
(e) human nutrition (NFSC 123 or NFSC 125)
(f) ebiomechanics (PHED 185)
(g) biomechanical analysis (PHED 224)
3. Clinical hours: (a) Curriculum candidates must have completed an entry-level program accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) in no less than two calendar years. The program must include 800 hours of athletic training experience under the supervision of a NATABOC-certified athletic trainer.
The athletic training experiences must be obtained from athletic training settings associated with the accredited curriculum.
(b) Internship candidates must present documentation of having at least 1500 hours of athletic training experience under the supervision of a NATABOC-certified athletic trainer. The applicant must show proof that the athletic training experience was gained over a period of at least two calendar years.

Admission to the Athletic Training Education Option:

Admission to this option will be limited. In addition to the requirements for all applicants to the MA in Physical Education, applicants to this option must:
1. Complete a supplemental application.
2. Submit three letters of recommendation.
3. Have a personal interview with the Athletic Training Option Selection Committee.

7 courses required:

PHED 285 Seminar in Sports Medicine 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: BIOL 003, BIOL 004, PHED 100 or faculty permission, PHED 180.

PHED 286 Anat/Patho Aspects of Sports Inj 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: BIOL 003, BIOL 004, PHED 185.

PHED 288 Sem Sport/Phys Act Health Care 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: PHED 117, PHED 181.

PHED 300 Seminar in Physical Education 3.0 FS

PHED 301 Sem Phys Ed Research Statistics 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: PHED 184 or faculty permission.

PHED 302 Sem Phys Educ Research Design 3.0 FS

PHED 303 Sem Biological Found Phys Educ 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: PHED 302, faculty permission.

9 units selected from:

PHED 323 Biomechanics Sports Technique 3.0 SP

PHED 324 Biomechanical Analysis 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: PHED 185 and basic computer literacy, faculty permission.

PHED 361 Current Trends/Problems Phys Ed 3.0 FS

PHED 378 Exercise and Aging 3.0 FS

PHED 380 Sem in Environmental Physiology 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: PHED 180.

PHED 381 Ex Mgmt-Chronic Disabilities 3.0 Inq

Prerequisites: PHED 180, PHED 185, PHED 280, and faculty permission.

PHED 382 Exercise Cardiology 3.0 Inq

Prerequisites: PHED 180, PHED 280, PHED 282, and faculty permission.

PHED 398 Independent Study 1.0-3.0 FS

Note: Supervised clinical assignments may be used as independent study credit, not to exceed 10 units.

PHED 399 Master’s Study 1.0-6.0 FS

Prerequisites: See the department secretary.

OR any 200-or 300-level university course with the approval of the option adviser.

Graduate Literacy Requirement:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Physical Education majors will demonstrate their writing competence through the successful completion (grade of B or better) of PHED 300 (Seminar in Physical Education).

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study-398 and Master’s Study-399) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (200-level courses), AB/No Credit (300-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 398, 399, and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the university that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all course work on the approved master’s degree program as well as in all course work taken subsequent to admission to conditionally classified status.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Students should consult the Graduate Coordinator for adviser assignment. No later than the end of the first semester of graduate study, students must identify a graduate faculty member who agrees to serve as their graduate adviser. This adviser must be in the student’s area of specialization.