Health and Physical Education (MAT)
Master of Arts in Teaching Health and Physical Education
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Department: Health and Sport Sciences
Program Website
Academic Plan Code(s): HPEDMAT
Program Information
The Master of Arts in Health and Physical Education degree provides Kentucky certification in grades P-12.
The Departments of Teaching and Learning and Health and Sport Sciences are committed to the highest standards of professional preparation. Our programs have sought and received national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Graduates of initial teacher certification programs at the University of Louisville begin their teaching careers secure in the knowledge that they have been prepared for the real world of classrooms through a rigorous teacher preparation program.
The degree offers school-based methods in the fall semester (August-December) in health and physical education for grades P-12. During the spring semester candidates complete 15 weeks of student teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels, a weekly seminar class and a reading and writing across the curriculum course. The program's schedule coincides with that of the public schools. Candidates progress through the program in a cohort group. The program is full-time and classes are offered only during the day.
Admission Requirements
Candidates who meet the following criteria may be eligible to apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching program. Candidates considering application to the MAT program should contact the MAT admissions counselor (teacher@louisville.edu) prior to applying for admission. UofL undergraduate students, with a major in Health and Human Performance - Physical Education Teacher Preparation, should direct questions to Dr. Carla Vidoni at carla.vidoni@louisville.edu.
Admission is competitive. Candidates who meet minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program.
- Graduate application/MAT Program. This should be completed three to four weeks prior to the application deadline.
- Passing Test Scores
Please note: when submitting test scores through ETS, use the general University of Louisville code, 1838. - Praxis II Content Exam(s)
- Bachelor's Degree from Accredited College or University with a Minimum 2.75 Grade Point Average (official transcripts required). If you are a current UofL student, you do not need to submit transcripts!
- Prerequisite Course Requirements
- Grade of C or higher in Oral Communication Course
- Grade of C or higher in ENGL 102
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo
- Professional Statement
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Acceptable interview
- Signed Professional Code of Ethics/Technology User Agreement/Statement of Understanding of Admission Guidelines
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HSS 605 | Teaching and Learning for Elementary Physical Education | 4 |
| HSS 606 | Teaching and Learning for Secondary Physical Education | 4 |
| HSS 609 | TEACHING AND LEARNING FOR HEALTH EDUCATION | 4 |
| Mid-point assessment 1 | ||
| HSS 611 | Seminar in Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education | 3 |
| HSS 612 | Student Teaching: Elementary Physical Education 2 | 4 |
| HSS 613 | Student Teaching: Middle/Secondary Physical Education 2 | 4 |
| EDTP 620 | Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| HSS 615 | Student Teaching: Health Education | 4 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 30 | |
| 1 | Prior to student teaching: All content methods classes listed above passed with a cumulative 3.0 GPA; positive recommendation from the Health and Physical Education Program Committee (includes assessment and mid-point portfolio); electronic documentation of 200 hours of diverse and approved field experiences. |
| 2 | These courses are the exit requirements for this program. Includes teacher certification in P-12 health and physical education |
Certification Assessment: After student teaching: Satisfactory dispositions assessment; all certification course work completed with 2.5 cumulative GPA; 2.5 cumulative GPA in content course requirements; 2.0 GPA or higher in each student teaching; satisfactory certification portfolio; passing scores on PRAXIS content and PLT exams; positive recommendation from Health and Physical Education Program Committee.
Degree Assessment: Satisfactory dispositions assessment; all program course work with 3.0 cumulative GPA (and no more than a total of two grades of C (six [6] credit hours) in degree courses); satisfactory degree portfolio.
Degree Candidacy: Students not enrolled during the semester in which they intend to graduate must register for degree candidacy as outlined in the Graduate Catalog.
Praxis Disclaimer: Teacher certification requirements are subject to change. Before registering for certification test(s), please refer to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) website at www.epsb.ky.gov or www.ets.org/praxis/ky for current requirements.
The Master of Arts in Teaching Health and Physical Education (HPEDMAT) program prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure. If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree.
More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website: https://louisville.edu/oapa/licensure-information (you may search by school or by the name of the program then click on 'View Details' to display the information).
For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: http://louisville.edu/online/About-Us (please scroll down near the bottom of the page and click on the licensing disclosures tab).
