Health and Physical Education, Bachelor of Science in Education (BSED) - Concentration in School Wellness Education
Slippery Rock University's Health and Physical Teacher Education program prepares you to help students maintain healthy lifestyles both at school and outside the classroom. Do you want to inspire young people to learn healthy habits that decrease their chances of long-term health problems? Are you passionate about motivating children to start lifelong behaviors that lead them to healthy futures? Look no further than SRU's School Wellness Education concentration.
Majors in this program are awarded a Bachelor's in Education with a major in Health and Physical Education and a concentration in School Wellness. An educator with this degree can make all the difference in students' lives, as today's K-12 children are spending less time outside and are living increasingly sedentary lifestyles.
All candidates completing this program and student teaching are eligible to receive Pennsylvania certification after achieving a passing or qualifying score on Pennsylvania Department of Education required exam(s). If you are interested in teaching in another state, please contact the Department of Education in that state.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Excellent Teaching: Develop teachers who educate and empower individuals to lead active healthy lifestyles. (UWO 1, 9).
- Physical Health and Wellness: Develop teachers who prepare individuals for an active lifestyle through purposeful movement and healthy nutrition. (UWO 2, 5).
- Social, Emotional and Cognitive Wellness: Develop teachers who prepare individuals with strategies to improve cognition, manage stress and positively interact with others. (UWO 6, 8).
- School to Community Health and Wellness: Prepare teachers to coordinate and lead comprehensive wellness programs that promote health literacy and physical activity. (UWO 7).
- Professional Advocate and Leader: Develop professionals who model and value health and advocate for quality health and wellness in schools and communities.(UWO 7, 2).
Related Links
Health and Physical Education - School Wellness Education, BSED Program Page
Curriculum Guide
GPA Requirement
GPA must be 3.0 or higher for Teacher Candidacy.
A 3.0 GPA and passing subject area assessment (PECT) or a 2.8 GPA and a qualifying passing subject area assessment (PECT) score (as determined by PDE) is required for certification.
Summary*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Other Basic Requirements | 0-3 | |
| Major/Concentration Requirements | 84-87 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
Rock Studies 2 Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Physical Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Additional Rock Studies 2 Requirements (12 credits) | ||
| CDEV 248 | Human Development and Education | 3 |
| STAT 152 | Elementary Statistics I | 3 |
| Select one of the following | 3 | |
| ELL Strategies and Practice | ||
| Teaching Multi Language Learners | ||
| SEFE 342 | Educational Psychology for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
From at least 3 categories; no more than 6 credits from one department; 6 credits must be 300-level or above.
Basic Math Requirement
Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR | ||
| Beginning Algebra | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT
Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career.
Major/Concentration Requirements
- 42 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 42 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
-
Six (6) Credits of Math (113 or higher) Required Prior to Admission to Teacher Candidacy: Math Requirement for BS in Education and Human Development requirements must be taken as part of, or in addition to rock studies 2/thematic thread for degree completion.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pillar #1 – Teaching Excellence | ||
| PHED 152 | Principles of School Wellness I 1,2 | 3 |
| PHED 253 | Principles of School Wellness II 1,2 | 3 |
| PHED 452 | Elementary Strategies for School Wellness | 6 |
| PHED 462 | Secondary Strategies in School Wellness 1,2 | 6 |
| Subtotal | 18 | |
| Pillar #2 – Physical Health & Wellness | ||
| PHED 107 | Aquatic Fundamentals 1 | 3 |
| PHED 310 | Elementary School Wellness Skills and Fitness Activities 1,2 | 3 |
| PHED 311 | Middle School Wellness Skills and Fitness Activities 1,2 | 3 |
| PHED 312 | Secondary School Wellness Skills and Fitness Activities 1,2 | 3 |
| PHED 328 | School Nutrition and Wellness 1,2 | 3 |
| PHED 383 | Motor Development and Learning 1 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 18 | |
| Pillar #3 – Social & Emotional Health & Wellness | ||
| PHED 241 | Outdoor Pursuits 1 | 3 |
| PHED 258 | Social & Emotional Wellness 1 | 3 |
| PHED 360 | Anatomical and Physiological Basis of Physical Activity/Lab 1 | 3 |
| SEFE 326 | ELL Strategies and Practice 1 | 3 |
| SEFE 342 | Educational Psychology for Diverse Learners 1 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Pillar #4 – School to Community Health & Wellness | ||
| PHED 191 | Foundations of School Wellness 1 | 3 |
| PHED 227 | Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity 1 | 3 |
| PHED 243 | Educational Movement in Health & Wellness 1 | 3 |
| PHED 268 | Contemporary Topics in Health 1 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Pillar #5 – Professional Advocacy & Leadership in Health & Wellness | ||
| PHED 202 | Technology for Wellness 1 | 3 |
| PHED 472 | School Wellness Assessment and Promotion 1,2 | 3 |
| PHED 473 | Professionalism, Advocacy and Leadership in Physical Activity 1 | 3 |
| PHED 455 | Student Teaching - Physical Education 1,2 | 12 |
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| First Aid Competency | ||
| Select one of the following: | 0-3 | |
CPR and First Aid & Safety Certifications | ||
| First Aid and Safety | ||
| Total Hours | 84-87 | |
- 1
Course counts for 50% of Major, but not for Major GPA
- 2
Course must be taken in sequence within block and a 'C' or better is required. Course required for Acceptance into Teacher Candidacy.
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Recommended Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHED 115 | Yoga and Well-Being | 3 |
| PHED 334 | Applied Methodologies in Adventure | 3 |
| PHED 338 | Teaching and Leading Group Exercise | 3 |
| PHED 378 | Teaching and Leading of Strength and Resistance Training | 3 |
| PHED 446 | Water Safety Instruction | 3 |
| HLTH 316 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
Co-curricular and Experiential Learning
Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:
- International study programs (short-term, semester, and year-long)
- Student-faculty research
- Student leadership development
- Service-learning classes
- Career education and development
- Internship
- Volunteering
Important Information
Prerequisites for Admission to Teacher Candidacy
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Courses | ||
| PHED 152 | Principles of School Wellness I | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Critical Reading | ||
| Introduction to Literary and Cultural Studies | ||
| Math Requirement | ||
| Select six credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Mathematics as a Liberal Art | ||
| Financial Mathematics | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| Finite Mathematics with Matrices | ||
| Introduction to Applied Calculus | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Discrete Mathematics | ||
| Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Foundations of Mathematical Proof | ||
| Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II | ||
| Elementary Statistics I | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Modeling | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
Health & Physical Education (BSED) (1158)
Concentration in School Wellness Educ. (SWED)
This program is effective as of Fall 2024
Revised 09.03.2025
UCC 04.01.2025
Recommended Four-Year Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| PHED 107 | Aquatic Fundamentals 1 | 3 |
| PHED 191 | Foundations of School Wellness | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing 1 | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 2 | 3 |
| ESAP 101 | FYRST Seminar * | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHED 152 | Principles of School Wellness I 1 | 3 |
| PHED 227 | Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading 1 | 3 |
| STAT 152 | Elementary Statistics I | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHED 202 | Technology for Wellness | 3 |
| PHED 268 | Contemporary Topics in Health | 3 |
| PHED 383 | Motor Development and Learning | 3 |
| CDEV 248 | Human Development and Education | 3 |
| Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | 3 | |
| Minor Coursework | 0-3 | |
| Hours | 18-21 | |
| Spring | ||
| Apply to Teacher Candidacy (48 credit hours) | ||
| PHED 243 | Educational Movement in Health & Wellness | 3 |
| PHED 258 | Social & Emotional Wellness | 3 |
| PHED 360 | Anatomical and Physiological Basis of Physical Activity/Lab | 3 |
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Social Science Inquiry | 3 | |
| Minor Coursework | 0-3 | |
| Hours | 15-18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Accepted to Teacher Candidacy | ||
| PHED 241 | Outdoor Pursuits | 3 |
| PHED 253 | Principles of School Wellness II | 3 |
| PHED 310 | Elementary School Wellness Skills and Fitness Activities | 3 |
| PHED 328 | School Nutrition and Wellness | 3 |
| SEFE 326 | ELL Strategies and Practice | 3 |
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHED 311 | Middle School Wellness Skills and Fitness Activities | 3 |
| PHED 312 | Secondary School Wellness Skills and Fitness Activities | 3 |
| PHED 452 | Elementary Strategies for School Wellness | 6 |
| SEFE 342 | Educational Psychology for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| Minor Coursework | 0-3 | |
| Hours | 15-18 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHED 462 | Secondary Strategies in School Wellness | 6 |
| PHED 472 | School Wellness Assessment and Promotion | 3 |
| PHED 473 | Professionalism, Advocacy and Leadership in Physical Activity | 3 |
| Minor Coursework | 0-3 | |
| Hours | 12-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHED 455 | Student Teaching - Physical Education | 12 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours** | 121-133 | |
- 1
Course requires a grade of C or better
- 2
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject
- *
Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.
- !
Either through elective courses, or on their own, students are required to obtain CPR/First Aid Instructor Certification prior to graduation.
**This document serves as a guide. Earning a degree requires at least 120 credits, though some majors require more. Before registering for courses, consult your academic adviser and review your curriculum guide. Be sure to review and confirm your plan with your adviser at least once each academic year.
Major Code: 1158
Concentration Code: SWED
Revised 09.23.2025