The Department of Physical Education and Recreation offers a major in physical education, which prepares graduates for teaching and leading physical education activities in many settings, as well as other careers in sports and athletics. The Physical Education major program offers curriculums of study with two areas of emphasis. Students may choose a Physical Education major with an emphasis in Physical Education Teaching or an emphasis in Personal Training.
Gallaudet University's undergraduate degree in recreation and leisure studies prepares students who are deaf or hard of hearing for positions in recreation, parks, and leisure services. The Recreation and Leisure Studies majors prepare students for leading recreation programs for people of all ages and abilities in different environments. The Recreation and Leisure Studies program is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association/American Association of Leisure and Recreation (NRPA/AALR) Council on Accreditation.
For more information about programs in Physical Education (PE) and Recreation and Leisure Studies (RLS), see the menu in the right hand column, or click on:
Declaring a Major
Students who wish to declare a major at Gallaudet University use the "Major Selection/Change Form," available from Academic Advising (in the Jordan Student Academic Center, Room 2220) or from the Registrar (in Chapel Hall, Room 101). Students need to get signatures of their advisors and the department chair. Some departments have specific requirements for students to be majors. Those requirements are listed below.
General Requirements for Admission to a Major in the Department of Physical Education and Recreation
Students interested in majoring in physical education should consult the department as early as possible, preferably during their freshman year, for developing their program of study. The Physical Education Major follows a specific and progressive course sequence which is necessary to prepare students for success in upper level Physical Education Major Courses. Students wishing to acquire a teaching certificate in regular physical education should also consult with the Department of Education as early as possible to become familiar with the Education Department's requirements.
Requirements for admission to a Major in Physical Education
Students must apply for admission in order to pursue either the Physical Education Teaching or the Personal Training major. Applicants must:
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complete PED 121 with a grade of "C" or better
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submit an Application for Physical Education Major form to the Department of Physical Education and Recreation
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submit three recommendations from current or former professors (one of these recommendations must be from the professor teaching PED 121)
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possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better; and
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participate in an interview with the department faculty member.
Applications are reviewed once each semester, two weeks before mid-semester. After an application is reviewed and accepted, an interview is scheduled. Students are notified of admission decisions at mid-semester. Students not admitted to the major may apply in the next semester.
Students who intend to prepare for a career leading strength and fitness exercise programs should follow the Personal Training emphasis curriculum.
Students who intend to prepare for a career in teaching Physical Education, must follow the Physical Education Teaching emphasis curriculum. In addition, to the Physical Education Teaching emphasis curriculum, it will be necessary for students who want to prepare for teacher certification, to pursue either the Gallaudet Undergraduate Teacher Education Program or plan on enrolling in an accredited teacher preparation undergraduate or graduate school program.
Students who intend to prepare for teacher certification by pursuing the Physical Education Teaching emphasis curriculum and also pursue the Gallaudet Undergraduate Major in Education with a Specialization in K-12 Physical Education Teacher Education (P.E.T.E.) must also apply for admission to the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program in the Department of Education. To obtain information on the requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program, look under the Department of Education section of the catalog.
Note: For physical education K-12 teacher education majors, PED 417 may substitute for EDU 470; EDU 486 must substitute for PED 486.
Requirements for admission to a Major in Recreation and Leisure Studies
Students interested in majoring in recreation and leisure studies must be currently enrolled in ENG 102 or the equivalent prior to registering for REC 101 or 102.
