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Special (Adapted) Physical Education

This program is designed to prepare physical education or special education teachers in providing quality special (adapted) physical education for school children with disabilities in the least restrictive, most appropriate, and most inclusive environments. The need for special (adapted) physical education instructors continues to grow; there are many opportunities to serve individuals with disabilities in public and private schools as well as other related placements. This program is currently funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Students accepted into this program may qualify for and receive special funding, in some cases for the full cost of the program. Contact Dr. Jiabei Zhang at zhangj@wmich.edu for application information.

Program Benefits

• Program graduates will gain knowledge, skills and experience in teaching students with disabilities fundamental motor skills and patterns, physical and motor fitness, as well as skills in aquatic, dance, individual and group games and sports, and leisure and recreational skills.
• Online coursework can be completed from anywhere with the face-to-face components completed at colleges near student with prior advisor approval.
• Students can choose a thesis or non-thesis option.
• Program graduate may be endorsed to teach physical education for children with disabilities with a valid teaching certificate in physical education or special education (depending on certification process in state of residence).