PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Physical Education and Health Teacher Licensure program prepares undergraduate students for careers as professional educators, mentors, and leaders trained to shape the physically active lifestyles of school-aged children. Successful graduates are eligible for New Jersey's Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) license with optional certification in Health Education and Driver's Education. With alignment to the New Jersey Department of Education licensure requirements, WPU College of Education, and licensed physical educators in preschool, elementary, and secondary schools (P-12). Additional certifications in Health Education and Driver's Education are available. PATHWAYS TO LICENSURE The New Jersey Department of Education provides two pathways to becoming a teacher: Traditional and alternate route. The following options for licensure are currently available: 1st Bachelor's Degree (traditional route) - Program Checklist 2nd Bachelor's Degree (traditional route) - 2nd Degree Program Checklist Subject Matter Preparation (alternate route & additional license) - Program Packet For more information or help choosing the best option for you, contact the Program Director Dr. Michael K. Laughlin, WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Students in the Physical Education and Health Teacher Licensure program take courses rooted in theory and best practice but also gain practical, hands-on experience across a variety of topics, sports, games, and activities including: adventure education, adapted sport and physical activity, fitness, wellness, nutrition, coaching, dance, racket sports, elementary games, and so much more. Teacher candidates also study pedagogy (the art of teaching) where they learn how to manage classroom behavior, analyze, adapt to, and improve human movement, design engaging activities, and assess learning performance while while gaining hands-on experience applying newly learned skills during three semesters of clinical experiences in the schools (formerly student teaching). BUILD YOUR RESUME The best way to "stand out" during the job interview process is to get involved, build your resume, and show prospective schools just how capable you are as a professional educator. The following are just a sample of the resume-building opportunities waiting for you at William Paterson University. Leadership Opportunities Become a Student Representative for SHAPE New Jersey or SHAPE Eastern District, leading professional organizations for health and physical educators Serve as a board member for the Future Health and Physical Educators of William Paterson University (FHPE-WPU) majors club. Be a Young Adult Transition Program (YATP) Coordinator or Supervisor, our on-campus adapted physical education program Refine your technology skills working with our many online platforms, multimedia initiatives, and social media accounts Be the editor for All Things Adapted, our YouTube page serving the adapted physical education community Attend or better yet, co-present at local and national conferences with your professors Create new leadership opportunities Student Recognition SHAPE America Major of the Year Award SHAPE Eastern District Majors of the Year Award SHAPE NJ Major of the Year Award WPU Senior of the Year Award College of Education Distinguished Clinical Intern Kinesiology Department Major of the Semester Co-publish a journal manuscript with your professors ALUMNI AND FRIENDS NETWORK Join our growing alumni and friends network where we provide ongoing updates to the Physical Education Teacher Licensure program, job openings, upcoming events, and news relevant to our profession. Please fill out this short contact form. CANDIDATE RESOURCES NJ Department of Education Basic Skills Requirement (Praxis Core for Educator Series 5752) Praxis II - Subject Assessment (Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge 5857) Department of Kinesiology Praxis Packet edTPA
