Physical Education and Recreation

Virginia Politano, Chair
Telephone: (919) 530-6186/5383
Fax: (919) 530-6156
Email: politano@nccu.edu

The Department of Physical Education and Recreation offers courses leading to both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physical Education and in Recreation and the Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Physical Education and Recreation is to bring students, faculty, and staff together in scholarly, educational, and research activities that promote healthy lifestyles and encourage the pursuit of excellence through teaching, learning, and research.

Our constituency consists of undergraduate and graduate students, the University Community, the local community, allied groups, organizations and practitioners. The four interrelated units of Athletic Training; General Physical Education; Physical Education Teacher Education; and Park, Recreation, and Leisure Studies serve our constituents through teaching, research endeavors, and service designed to prepare professionals that will impact the well-being of society as a whole.

Goals

Provide intellectually challenging programs of study through a variety of teaching techniques, including active student involvement in the learning process, practica, service learning, and participation in faculty research.

Provide instruction that enables students to communicate effectively, think critically and creatively, and to work cooperatively.

Provide academic advisement that assists students in achieving their academic and professional goals.

Parks, Recreation, And Leisure Studies (PARK)

The Park, Recreation, and Leisure Studies program is designed to prepare students for direct and supervisory leadership positions in recreation and leisure service organizations and graduate study in recreation administration/management work experiences, including practicum and internships, and work with public, semi-public and private organizations at the local, state, district, national, or international levels.  Settings can include community/governmental, voluntary/nonprofit, commercial, private membership, armed forces, employee, and campus and therapeutic recreation. Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT) in association with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the parks, recreation, and leisure studies program includes study in programming, administration and management, finance, human resources, marketing, risk management, and technology.  The course of study provides students with the prerequisite knowledge necessary to pass the National Recreation and Parks Association Certified Parks and Recreational Professional Examination and the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Examination.  Students who The Park, Recreation, and Leisure Studies program is designed to prepare students for direct and supervisory leadership positions in recreation and leisure service organizations and graduate study in recreation administration/management work experiences, including practicum and internships, and work with public, semi-public and private organizations at the local, state, district, national, or international levels. Settings can include community/governmental, voluntary/nonprofit, commercial, private membership, armed forces, employee, and campus and therapeutic recreation. Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT) in association with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the parks, recreation, and leisure studies program includes study in programming, administration and management, finance, human resources, marketing, risk management, and technology. The course of study provides students with the prerequisite knowledge necessary to pass the National Recreation and Parks Association Certified Parks and Recreational Professional Examination and the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Examination. Students who want to major in PARK must have a grade point average of 2.5 to be admitted into the program. 

The physical fitness course, PEDU 1541 , is offered in  the Physical Education and Recreation Department  and is required of all NCCU students as part of the GEC curriculum core.

Physical Education

A student majoring in Physical Education must complete one of the programs within the department: athletic training or physical education.  
 
The Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) in  its revised form requires that all undergraduate majors meet the Teacher Education Council’s  criteria.

The Physical Education concentrations are:

• Dance
• Physical Education Teaching K-12
• Fitness and Wellness
• Exercise and Sport Science

These concentrations share a core of required courses in physical education.

Park, Recreation, And Leisure Studies (PARK)

A student majoring in Recreation must complete one of the concentrations within the PARK program. The recreational program concentrations are:

• Parks and Recreation Management
• Recreational Sport Management
• Recreational Therapy

These concentrations share a core of required courses in Recreation. Founded in 1949, the Recreation program is currently the only COAPRT-NRPA accredited HBCU with a graduate program.

Athletic Training

The NCCU Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). It is the first HBCU with CAATE accreditation.

Students who wish to major in Athletic Training first declare their major as Physical Education. Students then apply for selection to the Athletic Training Education Program in the fall of their sophomore year. Upon acceptance into the Athletic Training Education Program, students change their major to Athletic Training. (The Athletic Training Education Program has a selective admissions process; a student may meet all of the requirements and not be selected into the program based on the programcapacity.) Upon completion of the ATEP, students are eligible to take the Board of Certification (BOC) examination to become a certified athletic trainer.

General Physical Education and Recreation Requirements

All physical education and recreation students must pass a proficiency exam in beginning swimming and intermediate swimming (or take courses). Students majoring in teacher education must earn a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) in order to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Students within general physical education must attain a 3.0 or better GPA in order to be admitted into professional or graduate school. Students who want to major in Athletic Training must have a GPA of 2.5 to be admitted into the program. A GPA of 2.5 is required for PARK. All students must have a GPA of 2.0 or better to graduate from the University.

ATEP Admission Procedures

Athletic training students must apply for selection into the ATEP during the fall semester of the sophomore year. The athletic training education program has a selective admissions process; a student may meet all of the requirements and not be selected into the program based on the program capacity. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and make regular progress toward graduation to remain in the ATEP. See the Athletic Training Education Program website for the most current Admission Criteria and Procedures and Progress Evaluation and Retention Requirements.

The four- year curriculum plan is listed below. Details of the most current plan are on the website: http://www.nccu.edu/academics/sc/socialsciences/physicaleducation/athletictraining/index.cfm

Transfer Students

Transfer students are eligible to apply for admittance into the ATEP and are required to meet the aforementioned admission policies. Transfer students will be dealt with on an individual basis.

In order to be considered for admission to the ATEP, the following criteria must be met:

1. Applicants must be at least a sophomore. Have completed or be enrolled in BIOL 1610 , PEDU 2010 , HEDU 4110 , and PEDU 2250 .
2. Submit a complete application, which includes:
   
   1. NCCU ATEP Application for Admission
   2. College transcript indicating the required GPA of 2.5 or higher
   3. Resume including work experiences
   4. Three letters of recommendation
   5. Athletic Training room observation sheet (minimum 20 hours)
   6. Signed copy of the ATEP technical standards packet:
      
      1. Technical Standards form
      2. Completed physical (within six months on the required form)
      3. Immunization Records (HBV, TB, Varicella)
   7. Complete an interview
   8. Signed confidentiality statement
   9. Copy of current CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer
   10. Provide a writing sample with professional goals
   11. Provide a transcript showing proof of pre-requisite courses or courses in progress

Once accepted the student must:

1. Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
2. Complete at least 150 clinical hours per semester
3. Purchase annual liability insurance
4. Provide a $30 one-time fee for uniforms
5. Maintain Professional Rescuer CPR/AED and First Aid licensure ($7-10/year, subject to change)
6. Recognize that additional costs associated with transportation may be incurred when
   participating in clinical educational experiences that are located off campus.

The ATEP does not discriminate based upon race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age , political affiliation, sexual orientation, or disabling condition. The ATEP adheres to the North Carolina Central University equal opportunity/affirmative action/nondiscrimination policy.