Department of Exercise and Sport Science

[1] Mission

The mission of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science is to mentor undergraduate and graduate students through education, scholarship, and service, by advancing evidence-based practice across athletic training, exercise science, and physical education while enhancing wellness, productivity, and quality of life.

[2] Undergraduate Programs

[2.1] BSE, Physical Education (K-12)

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The degree of Bachelor of Science in Education, with a major in Physical Education (K-12) requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major and/or designated courses; (2) physical education core and major requirements (45 hours); (3) College of Education course requirements for licensure as listed below; and (4) required courses in health education also listed below.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Physical Education Teacher Education enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

Upon successful completion of the Physical Education-Teacher Education (PETE) Program, teacher candidates will be recommended to the Arkansas Department of Education for the initial teaching license.

A grade of C or better is required in all EXSS, PETE, and HLTH courses. The PETE Program is an admissions program.

An emphasis in Health Education is required (11 hours). For more information about a minor in Health Education, see Health Education Minor in this Bulletin.

[2.1.1] Major in Physical Education (K-12)

EXSS Core Curriculum (17 hours):

K-12 Major Requirements (43 hours):

Health Education course requirements (11 hours):

College of Education course requirements for licensure (11 hours):

[2.1.2] PETE Program Admission, Retention, and Exit Requirements

Teacher Education Admission, Exit, and Retention policies have recently been revised. Consult your advisor to ensure that you are following the best pathway during our transition.

[2.1.2.1] Admission

In addition to the College of Education’s admission requirements—see the College of Education page in this bulletin for teacher education Admission, Exit, and Retention Requirements—PETE students must successfully complete the following PETE Program admission requirements.

1. Complete EXSS 1320 with a grade of C or better.
2. Complete the following required courses with a grade of C or better: PETE 2224 or 2225 or 2226 or 2230 (team sports); PETE 1230 (fitness); PETE 2212 or 2213 or 2214 or 2220 (individual sports); PETE 2223 (outdoor education and recreational games); PETE 2250 (dance); PETE 2300 and EXSS 2381. Note: pre-PETE students must demonstrate proficiency in team sports, fitness, outdoor education and recreational games and dance. Proficiency standards are included in the respective course syllabi.
3. Complete HLTH 2201 with a grade of C or better. While HLTH 2201 is the only required pre-admission health education course, a grade of a C or better and a grade point average of 2.5 or higher must be earned in all health education courses completed prior to the time of application.
4. Pass the PETE Fitness Test comprised of the following items: (a) 1.5 mile run, (b) sit-ups, (c) push-ups, (d) trunk flexion, and (e) body composition. Students initially complete the PETE Fitness Test while enrolled in PETE 1230. Should a student fail to pass all test items while enrolled in PETE 1230, two fitness test administrations are given each semester and one during the summer. Students should check with their academic advisors regarding testing dates, times and location.
5. Earn a passing score on the Developmental Portfolio prior to the established deadlines set by the PETE Program.

Upon admission to the PETE Program, teacher candidates must: Purchase a subscription to Chalk and Wire, an online system through which teacher candidates’ assessments are collected, evaluated, and stored for analysis. Chalk and Wire is used by all teacher education programs. A subscription may be purchased for one year and then renewed for a subsequent year or a two-year subscription may be purchased. (see: https://uca.edu/tlc/chalkandwire/).

[2.1.2.2] Program Retention Requirements (Level I)

In addition to the College of Education’s retention requirements (see: http://www.uca.edu/education/studentresources/). PETE teacher candidates must:

1. 1. Maintain a cumulative and major grade point average of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
   2. Completion of required EXSS/PETE core and major courses with a grade of C or better.
   3. Completion of required EDUC/MSIT courses with a grade of C or better.
   4. Complete early field experiences and PETE 4380 – Internship I. Teacher candidates should be knowledgeable of and adhere to the regulations and policies contained in the Early Field Handbook and the related policies, information, forms, and candidates’ responsibilities (see:  https://uca.edu/ocs/teacher-education-application/ and https://uca.edu/education/field/).
   5. Maintain a subscription to Chalk and Wire throughout enrollment in the PETE Program. (see: https://uca.edu/education/chalkandwire).
   6. Submit documentation of continued membership in national and student professional organizations while enrolled in the PETE Program.
   7. Submit documentation of participation in a minimum of three professional service activities each semester while enrolled in the PETE Program.
   8. Maintain professional dispositions/behaviors in interactions and communications with faculty, peers, and other professionals. Professional dispositions and behaviors are evaluated in each required major course.
   9. Earn an acceptable score on the summative evaluation of the Level I performance standards based upon Teacher Excellence and Support System (TESS) during PETE 4380 – Internship I to advance from Level I to Level II.
   10. Earn established minimum score(s) on relevant Praxis subject-area assessment(s) BEFORE entering Internship II. Minimum scores are determined by a candidate’s eligibility to be employed upon graduation. (Note: This minimum score does not necessarily meet licensure requirements.)

Note: effective January 1, 2011, teacher candidates who register for PETE 4T90 – Internship II will be assessed a $250 course fee by the College of Education. This fee will be assessed in addition to the tuition and registration fees assessed by the university.

[2.1.2.3] Program Exit Requirements (Level II)

In addition to the College of Education’s exit requirements (see: https://uca.edu/education/studentresources/), teacher candidates must successfully complete the following Physical Education-Teacher Education (PETE) Program exit requirements.

1. Maintain a cumulative, major, health education, and/or minor grade point average of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
2. Complete PETE 4T90 – Internship II with a grade of C or better.
3. Adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Internship II Information. Requirements and criteria for success are included in the Internship II course syllabus.
4. Satisfactory completion of the approved measure of pedagogical proficiency. Note: a candidate cannot complete the degree program until this requirement is met.
5. Earn an acceptable score on the summative evaluation of the Level II performance standards based upon Teacher Excellence Support System (TESS) during PETE 4T90 – Internship II.
6. Earn a passing score on the Internship II Final Portfolio submitted through Chalk and Wire. The content, grading rubric, and deadlines for submission and completion are presented during candidates’ enrollment in PETE 4T90 – Internship II. Should a candidate fail to meet the passing score on the final portfolio by the stipulated deadline, X grades in PETE 4T90 will be awarded.
7. Earn a passing score from the PETE faculty on the oral presentation of the Internship II Final Portfolio. Note: the oral presentation of the portfolio cannot be scheduled until a passing score on the final portfolio is achieved. Should a candidate fail to earn a passing score on the oral presentation by the end of the semester of enrollment in PETE 4T90 – Internship II, X grades will be awarded.
8. Demonstrate professionalism through continued membership in SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators) and membership in at least one additional professional organization (e.g., ArkAHPERD).

[2.2] Coaching Program of Study

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To be eligible to apply for coaching licensure endorsement the following requirements must be met:

1. Hold or be eligible to hold an initial/standard teaching licensure.
2. Complete the following 25 hours of course work: PETE 2300; EXSS 2340, 2381, 3303, 3331, 3382, 4230, and 4395 with a grade of C or better; and one of these coaching courses – EXSS 3209, 3210, 3211, 3212, 3213, or 3214 – with a grade of C or better.
3. Pass the coaching licensure exam designated by the Arkansas State Department of Education – Physical Education: Content and Design test #0095 (paper) or test #5095 (computer). A score of 169 or better is required. [PETE majors take Praxis II #5857]

For further information about licensure issues related to coaching, contact the Department of Exercise and Sport Science (450-5701) or the Office of Candidate Services (450-3131).

[2.3] BS, Exercise Science

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The degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Exercise Science requires successful completion of 120 hours with a minimum of 40 upper-division hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); and (2) major requirements detailed below. No minor is required.

Students have the option of completing a BS in Exercise Science without a concentration, a BS in Exercise Science with a concentration in Clinical Exercise Science, or a BS in Exercise Science with a concentration in Pre-Athletic Training. Lower-division UCA Core (general education) courses do not count toward the required hours for the major. A grade of C or better is required in all EXSS courses and their prerequisites.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Exercise Science enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390.

[2.3.1] Major in Exercise Science (no concentration)

EXSS Core Curriculum (18 hours)

Exercise Science Requirements (32 hours)

Statistics Requirement (3 hours)

Psychology Requirement (3 hours)

Nutrition Requirement (3 hours)

Related Requirement (8 hours)

Major Requirements (15 hours)

[2.3.1.1] Field Experiences/Internship Retention and Program Exit Requirements

Retention in Field Experiences/Internship

A student may be removed from a field experience, clinical, or internship when any of the following occurs:

• The appropriate authority states that the student’s presence in the classroom and/or clinical site is not in the best interest of the school’s students or the clinic’s clients and/or the appropriate authority requests that the student be removed.
• The student exhibits unprofessional, unethical, and/or unlawful behavior.
• A decision has been made that the student cannot receive a grade of C or better in a field experience or internship course.

Program Exit Requirements

Students must complete the following requirements and submit the following documentation to the chair of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science prior to graduation.

1. Application for Graduation by the deadline established by the university and listed in the academic calendar.
2. A minimum of a 2.0 cumulative, major and minor grade point average.
3. Completion of required EXSS core and major courses and their prerequisites with a grade of C or better.

[2.3.2] Major in Exercise Science, Concentration in Clinical Exercise Science

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The concentration in Clinical Exercise Science is on inactive status effective Spring 2023 and is not currently accepting new students. The department will monitor continued interest in the concentration through Spring 2026 and will at that time decide whether to reactivate the concentration or delete it.

The goal of this program concentration is to prepare students for careers working with clinically significant populations such as in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation to address the needs within the state of Arkansas and the rest of the country for qualified clinical exercise specialists working with high risk individuals of cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, and cancer.

With this concentration, students would gain education and training that would contribute to their preparation in taking the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist exam. Additionally, students would gain education and training that would contribute to gaining a specialized certification in exercise for cancer patients through the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Cancer Society.

EXSS Core Curriculum (18 hours)

Exercise Science Requirements (32 hours)

Statistics Requirement (3 hours)

Psychology Requirement (3 hours)

Nutrition Requirement (3 hours)

Concentration Requirements (15 hours)

[2.3.2.1] Concentration Expenses

Students seeking the Clinical Exercise Science concentration will be responsible for expenses required as part of the concentration-specific courses. These expenses may include a criminal background check from an approved agency, the first and second of the series of three hepatitis B vaccinations, TB skin tests, CPR/AED certification, and their own transportation to and from their clinical experiences, and registration and travel for registered student organization events and conferences.

[2.3.3] Major in Exercise Science, Concentration in Pre-Athletic Training

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Students will be able to identify and describe the professional preparation and responsibilities of health care providers and specifically athletic trainers. Secondary to the primary purpose, the Pre-Athletic Training concentration allows students the opportunity to complete all prerequisite coursework for entry level Masters in Athletic Training within the 120 hours of the Baccalaureate degree.

EXSS Core Curriculum (18 hours)

Exercise Science Requirements (32 hours)

Statistics Requirement (3 hours)

Psychology Requirement (3 hours)

Nutrition Requirement (3 hours)

Concentration Requirements (15 hours)

[3] Master’s Degree Programs

See Graduate Bulletin.

[4] Course Links (EXSS, PETE)

Follow this link to EXSS course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to PETE course descriptions: course link.