Focus on Your Future

This online program prepares teachers who are ready to take a leadership role in developing and implementing progressive physical education curricula. Graduates are trained to be tireless advocates for quality physical education programs.

Students study research on teaching effectiveness, curriculum models, fitness programming and leadership techniques. They also apply their work in school-based field experiences that include working with diverse populations and utilizing various technologies to enhance learning.

Program Requirements 

The graduate program in physical education leadership is open to:

• students who have completed a B.S.Ed. in physical education (or its equivalent)
• students who hold New York State Initial Teacher Certification in Physical Education (or its equivalent); or
• students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another field but have earned initial certification in physical education.

This degree meets one of the New York State requirements for professional certification. 

Graduate students who possess a teaching certificate issued by a state other than New York must show proof of completion of the Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (CARR) workshop, the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) workshop and the Dignity for All Students (DASA) (anti-bullying) workshop.

GPA Requirements 

This degree is awarded to students who have an overall 3.0 grade point average. All students enrolled in a master’s program are required to maintain a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA in graduate work. 

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 mandates that all SUNY teacher preparation programs adopt college entrance assessments for admissions consideration.  Effective August 31, 2015 - anyone submitting an application for admission is required to submit scores for either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).

Program Course Curriculum 

Summer Course Offerings

PED 610: Readings in Physical Education (online) [3 cr.]

Hybrid (requires residency): PED 611: Research Methods in Physical Education (hybrid) [3 cr.]

PED 644: School-Based Leadership in Physical Education (hybrid) [3 cr.]

Fall Course Offerings

PED 515: Technology in Physical Education (online) [3 cr.]

PED 526: Fitness Programming and Curriculum for Schools (online) [3 cr.]

PED 621: Curriculum Construction in Physical Education (online) [3 cr.]

PED 660: Physical Education Practicum I (online) [3 cr.]

Spring Course Offerings

PED 602: Research Project in Physical Education (online) [3 cr.]

PED 622: Research on Teaching Effectiveness in Physical Education (online) [3 cr.]

PED 661: Physical Education Practicum II (online) [3 cr.]