Physical Education and Recreation

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The Department of Physical Education and Recreation offers courses leading to both bachelor and master’s degrees in physical education and recreation and the bachelor degree in Athletic Training.  The Department of Physical Education and Recreation offers nationally accredited academic programs designed to prepare professionals for careers in teaching, athletic training, exercise sport science, sport management, fitness and wellness, recreation administration and recreation therapy.

Mission

The mission of the department is to prepare quality professionals in the areas of athletic training, physical education, and recreation, facilitate practical and action-based research and scholarly inquiry.  We embrace and promote lifelong opportunities for learning and participation that contribute to healthy lifestyles.

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 Recreation Administration serve our constituents through teaching, research endeavors, and service designed to prepare professionals that will impact the well-being of society as a whole.

Core Values:

Provide students with tools to succeed

Development of leadership qualities

Social and academic engagement

Goals

1. Strengthen Student Success, Recruitment and Retention
2. Excellence in teaching, scholarly activity and public service
3. Encourage social and academic engagement
4. Stimulate a learning environment through encouragement of faculty, staff and student participation in professional development activities and the development of leadership opportunities.

Recreation Administration

The Recreation Administration 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, 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.

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

Physical Education

The program in physical education allows students to put theory into practice through Practical Field experiences.

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.

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 grade point average in order to be admitted into professional or graduate school.  Students who want to major in Athletic Training must have a grade point average of 2.5 to be admitted into the program.  A grade point average of 2.5 is required for Recreation Administration.

All students must have a 2.0 or higher to graduate from the University.

Athletic Training

The NCCU Athletic Training Program - 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 Program in the fall of their sophomore year.  Upon acceptance into the Athletic Training Program, students change their major to Athletic Training.  (The athletic training 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.)  Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Board of Certification  (BOC) examination to become an Athletic Trainer.

ATP Admission Procedures

Athletic training students must apply for selection into the ATP 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 ATP.  See the Athletic Training Program website for the most current Admission Criteria and Procedures and Progress Evaluation and Retention Requirements.

The 4 year curriculum plan is listed below.  Details of the most current plan are on the NCCU ATP website.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are eligible to apply for admittance into the ATP 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 ATP, 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:

   a.  NCCU ATP Application for Admission

   b.  College transcript indicating the required GPA of 2.5 or higher

   c.  Resume including work experiences

   d.  3 letter of recommendation

   e.  Athletic Training room observation sheet (minimum 20 hours)

   f.  Signed copy of the ATP technical standards packet:

   i.  Technical Standards form

   ii.  Completed physical (within 6 months on the required form)

   iii.  Immunization Records (HBV, TB, Varicella)

   g.  Complete an interview

   h.  Signed confidentiality statement

   i.  Copy of current CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer

   j.  Provide a writing sample with professional goals

   k.  Provide a transcript showing proof of pre-requisite courses or courses in progress   Once accepted the student must: Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA Complete at least 150 clinical hours per semester Purchase annual liability insurance Provice a $30 one-time (minimally) fee for uniforms Maintain Professional Rescuer CPR/AED and First Aid licensure, 15/year (subject to change) Recognize that additional costs associated with transportation may be incurred when participating in clinical educational experiences that are located off campus. The ATP does not discriminate based upon race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, political affiliations, sexual orientation, or disabling condition.  The ATP adheres to the North Carolina Central University equal opportunity/affirmative actions/nondiscrimination policy.

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