Physical Education and Health Education

Master's Degree On-line

Interested in pursuing an MS focused on teaching physical education? Looking for a way to complete a degree on a convenient schedule with classes offered close to home? Want a quality program leading to a degree you can be proud of, offered by one of the leading and most respected teacher education institutions in Washington State? If so, look no further! Central Washington University's Dept. of HHPN is offering an online MS degree designed specifically for practicing teachers. This has been an exciting development for CWU's distinguished faculty who are now looking forward to even more effectively serving the needs of today's teachers. Here are some of the program highlights:

When will the program begin?

We currently start a new group in our program every other year. The most recent group began summer 2006. We will be accepting applications in fall 2007 to begin the next program in summer 2008.

How long will the degree take?

This is a 46 credit graduate program leading the award of a Master of Science in Physical Education. The program will take approximately two years to complete. If you begin in summer 2008 you should graduate spring quarter 2010. Students are permitted to substitute up to 9 credits of previously completed graduate level work with the approval of their advisor and committee.

Will the MS degree also meet the requirements for a Health & Fitness Teaching Endorsement?

No. Students who apply for and are accepted in our MS online program already have physical education teaching certification and experience teaching physical education. The classes in this degree extend on the classes already taken as part of an undergraduate professional preparation program and on the physical educator's prior practical experience. The classes required for the teaching endorsement are different from those included in the graduate program.

Do I need to currently be a Physical Education or Health Education teacher to apply for this program?

Yes, you need to be a teacher or to have a degree in physical education or to be accepted into the program. The program is focused on K-12 physical education teaching. Many assignments require you to have access to teaching situations. If you are not currently teaching you will need to establish opportunities within K-12 settings to complete these assignments.

Will the entire program be taken online or will I need to come to Ellensburg, Washington?

Participants in this program will be required to spend two weeks on the CWU campus in the summer of 2008 and two weeks in the summer of 2009. In planning for the success of this program it is essential that participants first have the opportunity to become familiar with the instructional technology involved in the online delivery of this program. Perhaps even more importantly, these intensive two-week sessions allow faculty and students time to interact face-to-face and become acquainted. Because of the practical focus of this program these sessions also allow time for the discussion and planning of relevant in-school projects. Successful applicants will receive information about on-campus housing opportunities. Any out-of-state participants will also receive travel information.

Where is Ellensburg, Washington?

Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain range, Ellensburg is a small rural town of approximately 15,000 inhabitants - including about 8000 students who attend Central Washington University. The closest major city is Seattle located approximately two hours west of Ellensburg. The closest airport is in Yakima, about a 45-minute drive from Ellensburg. Unlike Seattle, because of the mountain range separating the two communities, Ellensburg enjoys a dry and mostly sunny climate. It is a wonderful location for all types of outdoor activities and participants attending the summer classes should plan some time (after the 2-weeks of classes) to enjoy the local environment.

How will I take the online classes?

You will be able to take these classes using a home or school based computer that is linked to the web. As with most online experiences a faster connection will enhance this interactive experience. Central Washington University uses an instructional program called "Blackboard" for its online courses. Blackboard is widely used nationwide and has established itself as a user-friendly interface between faculty and students. Participants in the program will use Blackboard and email to complete course assignments and to communicate with classmates and faculty. You will also be expected to have the suite of Microsoft Office programs on your computer (Word, Powerpoint, & Excel) and a web editor such as Front Page, Dreamweaver, GoLive or similar.

What will I be expected to do in these classes?

The scheduled classes in this program have been selected with a focus on the types of knowledge and skills that will enhance your effectiveness as a teacher of physical education and health education. You can anticipate that the readings and assignments will be directed toward application in your local teaching environment. Wherever possible you will have the opportunity to explore issues and design projects relevant to your school setting. You will also be encouraged to learn more about issues facing teachers nationwide and learn more about the many challenges facing our profession.

Will I learn as much in an online MS program as in a regular program?

There has been much debate and investigation on this topic. Current opinion seems to support the conclusion that online learning can be just as effective as regular classroom instruction. Researchers point out that in classroom settings students are able to avoid participation and let others interact. In contrast, with online instruction there is nowhere to hide! The learning experience requires constant interaction between instructors and students and students and their peers. Online instruction is not for everyone but for the motivated learner who is comfortable with using technology, online instruction can be equal to or even more effective than traditional classroom teaching.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in participating in this program you must first complete a CWU Graduate School application. With this letter of application please include an additional letter explaining your interest in this program, your professional goals, and your past and present teaching experience. Please remember that this program is designed for teachers who have an interest in both physical education and health education, rather than only one specialty. The application fee is $35. Applicants should have a 3.00 GPA over the last 90-quarter hours (60 semester hours) of graded course work. Once the complete application has been received it will be submitted to the Department of HHPN for full consideration. The CWU Admissions Office will not forward applications to our department until they are 100% complete! At this time a decision will be made on acceptance into the online program. It is our intent to limit participation in this program to approximately 10 people. You are urged to submit your application as early as possible after September 1st 2007 to receive full consideration. All applicants will receive notification regarding their status by May or earlier . To begin the application process please contact CWU Admissions and return your application to this office.

If you are planning to apply please email us immediately so that we can anticipate receiving your application. Remember that places will be limited to 10 successful applicants. To avoid disappointment please apply immediately if interested.