Physical Education Department
Park Center, Room 1126
607-753-5577
Fax: 607-753-5975

Overview

Inspire 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  National Advanced Standards for Physical Education Teacher Education, including elements of professional knowledge, professional practice and professional leadership.

The program can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Course delivery is fully online except for a one-time two-week summer on-campus requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Interpret, and synthesize research in physical education.
2. Conduct research that enhances teaching and learning.
3. Apply content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge for effective instruction.
4. Integrate research findings to enhance student learning.
5. Initiate program improvement activities, such as curriculum development and program evaluation, to enhance to student learning.
6. Contribute to the professional development of others in the school, community and/or profession

Program Highlights

The program of study prepares you to take a leadership role in developing and implementing progressive physical education curricula and advocating for quality physical education programs. Through authentic learning experiences, you will study research on teaching effectiveness, curriculum models, fitness programming, technology and leadership techniques and utilize them in school-based field experiences that will include working with diverse populations and applying various technologies to enhance student learning.  

Culminating Experience

The concentration in physical education leadership requires you to complete an action-based research project that will be embedded in your field experiences. The program's course sequence scaffolds preparatory content and experiences to be successful in the culminating project.

Career Potential

The purpose of the Physical Education Leadership program is to prepare physical educators to be leaders of, and advocates for, quality physical education programs. The course of study is designed to prepare candidates for employment in K-12 physical education programs in the state of New York and throughout the nation. Successful completion of the degree contributes to the attainment of New York State professional certification.

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

1. Completed online Graduate School Application - Apply Now
2. 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.
3. 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)
4. Letter of application indicating why you are interested in the program (submitted online with the application)
5. Documentation of initial certification in physical education within six months of starting classes.
6. New York state requires all SUNY teacher preparation programs to adopt college entrance assessments for admissions consideration. Applicants are required to submit scores for one of the following:
   - Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a minimum score of 275;
   - Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a minimum score of 375;
   - edTPA with a passing score as set by New York state; or
   - the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators with a minimum score of 450.

Admissions Criteria

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

• An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale

• GRE score of 275 (minimum) or MAT score of 375 or

• Successful completion of the edTPA or PRAXIS

• Initial teaching certificate within 6 months of starting classes in physical education

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.