Bachelor of Science in Education, Health & Physical Education
The Bachelor of Science in Education degree (B.S.Ed.) with a major in health and physical education prepares students to teach health and physical education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade (P-12). Upon successful completion of the degree program and posting a passing score on the GACE teacher certification exam in the area of health and physical education, students are eligible for the T-4 (professional) teaching certificate from the State of Georgia. The B.S. Ed. program has been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and previously by the National Council on Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE). The program is aligned with current National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) standards as well as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards.


Certification Only Option in Health & Physical Education
The certification only option in health and physical education is designed for those individuals who currently hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution and are seeking to become certified to teach health and physical education in the state of Georgia. Individuals considering this option must meet all the requirements for admission to the Teacher Education program in the College of Education at Valdosta State University as would any other student. If the student qualifies for admission to the Teacher Education program, he/she should complete a "Certification Evaluation" request, which may be accessed by the link available at the left side of this page. The completed form and student transcripts will be evaluated by the certification specialist in the Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education and a certification program developed. A fee of $35 (payable in the Dean's Office) is charged for the evaluation and development of individualized plan. To review the certification only checklist, please click on the appropriate link provided at the left side of this page.

Selected Educational Outcomes

Students who graduate from the Health and Physical Education Teacher Preparation Program will demonstrate:

  1. Students in initial teacher education programs know the content that they plan to teach
    and can explain important principles and concepts delineated in professional, state, and
    institutional standards.

  2. Students in initial teacher education programs understand the relationship of content and
    content specific pedagogy and have a broad knowledge of instructional strategies that draws
    upon content and pedagogical knowledge and skills delineated in professional, state, and
    institutional standards to help all students learn.

  3. Students in initial teacher education programs are able to analyze educational research
    findings and incorporate new information into their practice.

  4. Students in initial teacher education programs assess and analyze student learning, make
    appropriate adjustments to instruction, monitor student learning, and have a positive effect
    on learning for all students.

Selected Outcome Assessments

Students recommended for certification are required to:

  1. Majors in initial teacher education programs will demonstrate content knowledge through passing the state-required content assessment.

  2. Majors in initial teacher education programs will demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge and knowledge of evidence-based strategies through development of lesson plans identifying use of research-validated procedures and effective content pedagogy.

  3. Majors in initial teacher education programs will demonstrate skills in assessment, instructional strategies, use of technology, and monitoring or modifying instruction during observed teaching episodes evaluated by a university supervisor and P-12 mentor teacher.

  4. Majors in initial teacher education programs will demonstrate their ability to positively impact P-12 learning through the development of an adapted case study.