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Motor Behavior
The motor behavior emphasis focuses on the development of movement, physical function and skill acquisition across the life span. Degree programs with an emphasis in Adapted Physical Education, Motor Behavior, Movement Studies for the Disabled, and Strength and Conditioning lead to a Master's or Doctor of Education; Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education and Sport Studies. Students will participate in coursework, practicum and research experiences designed to facilitate in-depth knowledge of movement as it relates to sports performance, aging, motor development and skill acquisition. Research experiences are conducted in local school districts and public agencies; the Movement Studies Laboratory; and the VA Atlanta Medical Center.
Entrance Requirements:
Applicants with a baccalaureate degree in any field of study are eligible to apply to the M.Ed. program in physical education. Matriculation is available any term. All other M.Ed. applications will be considered immediately upon the Department receiving a complete application.
To be considered for any option, applicants must complete an application for graduate study, submit transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, submit scores on the GRE, provide three letters of recommendation, and complete a departmental questionnaire.
Description of the Program:
The M.Ed. emphasis in adapted physical education includes 13 hours of adapted physical education and research methods and 23 hours of electives in special education, vocational education, physical education, and health promotion and behavior. The M.Ed. emphasis in movement studies focuses on the development of movement, physical function and skill acquisition across the life span. Degree programs with an emphasis in Adapted Physical Education, Motor Behavior, Movement Studies for the Disabled, and Strength and Conditioning can lead to a Master's or Doctor of Education degree.
Career Opportunities:
The M.Ed. emphasis in movement studies in the area of adapted physical education is a teacher oriented concentration that is designed to prepare personnel to provide quality physical education experiences for individuals with disabilities in the areas of fundamental motor skills, physical and motor fitness, individual and group games and sports including sport, leisure and recreational skills in the most appropriate and least restrictive environment. In motor behavior concentration is a research-oriented program for students interested in the study of motor development and motor control.
Assistantships:
Graduate teaching assistantships are available in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies. Duties involve the teaching of activity courses in the required physical education activity program. Other assistantship opportunities are available in the Department of Recreational Sports.
Adapted Physical Education
Adapted physical education is a teacher oriented concentration that is designed to prepare personnel to provide quality physical education experiences for individuals with disabilities in the areas of fundamental motor skills, physical and motor fitness, individual and group games and sports including sport, leisure and recreational skills in the most appropriate and least restrictive environment.
Graduate preparation emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach in adapted physical education by including motor development, motor learning, exercise physiology, recreation, and special education leading to a Master's or Doctor of Education; Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education and Sport Studies. The primary focus of graduate degree programs will concentrate on exercise interventions and motor development of children with disabilities primarily in school-based settings.
Motor Behavior
The motor behavior concentration is a research oriented program for students interested in the study of motor development and movement control. In this context, this emphasis focuses on the developmental contexts of movement and function across the life-span from the basic movements of infants and children to the study of movement and function in athletes and older individuals. In addition the underlying mechanisms related to physical and motor functioning are studied in conjunction with motor skill acquisition and sports related movements. Students can concentrate on motor behavior in general, movement studies related to disability, or emphasize in physical development via the strength and conditioning emphasis.
Graduate preparation emphasizes coursework in motor development, motor learning, biomechanics, psychology, exercise physiology, research experiences in the Movement Studies Laboratory and VA Medical Center, and practicum assignments in strength and conditioning or rehabilitation settings. Preparation leads to a Master's or Doctor of Education, Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education and Sport Studies.
Program of Study
Programs of study may vary according to the student's degree and emphasis area. The general program of study requires 36 hours of coursework for a Master's and 90 hours of coursework for a Doctoral Degree. Practicum and internship experiences provide the graduate student with an opportunity to gain a variety of experiences including the following: (1) physical and learning deficiencies, (2) clinical and practical application of theory, (3) supervising and monitoring of undergraduate students, (4) research, (5) sports for the disabled, (6) work-related and community home-based instruction, (7) play, (8) exercise interventions, (9) strength and conditioning interventions, and (10) developing movement skills.
The student pursuing the Master's Degree may select a thesis or non-thesis option by taking the core courses and those required for the option selected. Doctoral students select a supporting area in either motor behavior, pedagogy, or education in addition to outside courses in related areas. Research requirements and practicum experiences will vary based on the background of the student and the degree program. Students selecting the strength and conditioning emphasis will complete the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA) or Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA) certification exams; students in adapted physical education will complete the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) exam.
Program Requirements:
| PEDS 6610 | Adapted Physical Education | (3) |
| PEDS 7100 | Motor Development | (3) |
| PEDS 7610 | Physical Rehabilitation for Children With Disabilities | (3) |
| PEDS 7640 | Developmental and Motor Assessment | (3) |
| PEDS 8630 | Program Design in Adapted Physical Education | (3) |
Supporting Courses (9-12 semester hours)
| PEDS 7040 | Instructional Strategies in Physical Education | (3) |
| PEDS 7080 | Curriculum Planning in Physical Education | (3) |
| PEDS 7090 | Application of Technology | (1) |
| PEDS 7120 | Analysis of Teaching Physical Education | (3) |
| PEDS 7140 | Motor Learning | (3) |
| PEDS 8210 | Neural Basis of Motor Control | (3) |
| PEDS 9210 | Advanced Study of Motor Skill Acquisition | (3) |
| HPRB 7060 | Human Sexuality | (3) |
| HPRB 7210 | Effects of Drug Use and Abuse | (3) |
Electives (3-9 semester hours)
| PEDS 7220 | Sport and Society | (3) |
| PEDS 7230 | Sport History | (3) |
| PEDS 7240 | Psychosocial Aspects of Sport | (3) |
| PEDS 7250 | Gender and Sport | (3) |
| PEDS 7400 | Practicum in Physical Education | (1-9) |
| SPED 7010 | Clinical Assessment in Special Education | (3) |
| ED 7100 | Early Childhood Special Education | (3) |
| SPED 7210 | Methods for Teaching Functional Skills | (3) |
| FDNS 6050 | Optimal Nutrition for the Life Span | (3) |
| EXRS 6200 | Biomechanics | (3) |
| EXRS 6630 | Exercise Physiology I | (3) |
| EXRS 7350 | Biomechanics of Human Movement | (3) |
| EOCS 7550 | Students with Special Needs in Occupational Studies | (3) |
| IHDD 7800 | Interdisciplinary Team Processes | (3) |
Research Requirements (9 semester hours)
| ERSH 6300 | Applied Statistics | |
| PEDS 7150 | Research Methods | (3) |
| PEDS 7650 | Masters Project | (3-9) |
| PEDS 7300 | Masters Thesis | (1-9) |
| PEDS 8990 | Research Seminar | (1-9) |
| PEDS 9300 | Doctoral Dissertation | (1-10) |
| ERSH 6300 | Applied Statistics | (3) |
Contact:
If you have any questions or problems, please contact Dr. Michael Horvat at 706-542-4455 or mhorvat@uga.edu, or Ms. Melinda Dalton at 706-542-5947.
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