Overview
Inspire today’s youth to enjoy the benefits of an active and healthy life. Be a positive role model for people of all ages. Share your love of physical activity and fitness with upcoming generations. Become a leader and advocate for constructive change in the physical education profession by studying for the M.S.Ed. in physical education at SUNY Cortland. Your graduate-level course work is informed by the highest standards, including those of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education Standards (NASPE), the Adaptive Physical Education National Standards (APENS) and the New York State Learning Standards in Physical Education. Choose from the following concentrations:
- Adapted Physical Education
- Coaching Pedagogy
- Physical Education Leadership
Program Highlights
Beyond the graduate-level core courses in physical education, you’ll explore topics that are specific to each concentration.
Adapted Physical Education [ADPE]
This concentration offers graduate-level study in adapted physical education, instructional strategies and curriculum and measurement in adapted physical education, as well as course work in inclusive outdoor education, positive behavior management and discipline in physical education and preschool movement programs.
Coaching Pedagogy [COAP]
This concentration provides knowledge and skills that apply to both coaching and teaching physical education through emphasis on teaching, research methodologies and applications of current technology. This is a hybrid program that combines online and on-campus course work over three consecutive summers. Topics include lifespan motor development, digital video analysis using Dartfish technology, issues in athletic training, sports conditioning, principles of coaching, behavior in sport and inclusive coaching methods and programs.
Physical Education Leadership [LEA]
This concentration is an intensive one-year program of study that prepares you to take a leadership role in developing and implementing progressive physical education curricula and advocating for quality physical education programs. You will study research on teaching effectiveness, curriculum models, fitness programming, and leadership techniques and apply them in school-based field experiences that will include working with diverse populations and applying various technologies to enhance student learning.
Culminating Experience
When you select the concentration in adapted physical education, you may choose to sit for a comprehensive examination or waive the examination requirement and complete a culminating master’s thesis. The concentration in coaching pedagogy requires you to sit for a comprehensive examination. The concentration in physical education leadership requires you to complete an action-based research project that will be embedded in your field experiences.
Environmental Facilities
Take advantage of SUNY Cortland’s exceptional outdoor education resources for research, workshops and classes at our Outdoor Education Center at Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks. This unique learning environment includes Huntington Memorial Camp, the only National Historic Landmark in the SUNY system.
Career Potential
When you achieve the M.S.Ed. in physical education from SUNY Cortland, you’ll be well prepared for a career as a physical education teacher or a coach or for positions that combine the two responsibilities.
Graduate Admission
Evaluation Policy
At the State University of New York College at Cortland we seek a diverse and academically strong student body. Our admission policy and practice will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or marital status.
Required Materials
- Completed online Graduate School Application - Apply Now
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended to be forwarded directly to the SUNY Cortland Graduate Admissions Office
Note: candidates for admission must present evidence of bachelor’s degree conferral prior to the start of their academic program.
- A resume, which must include the contact information for three references. One of those contacts must be a public school employee (submitted online with the application)
- Letter of application indicating why you are interested in the program (submitted online with the application)
- Documentation of initial certification in physical education within six months of starting classes.
Admissions Criteria
A minimum 2.5 overall undergraduate grade point average.
Deadlines
Fall semester applications: July 1
Spring semester applications: Dec. 1
Summer semester applications: April 1
Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered on a space availability basis.
Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (607) 753-4800 to check availability.
