Health and Physical Education
Coaching and teaching in the areas of health and physical education (HPE) require a strong base of knowledge in human physiology, movement skills, and the art and science of teaching. As an HPE major at Berry, you’ll get all that and more. The program is hands-on with lots of field-based, practical experience. And our small classes give you the opportunity for a great deal of personalized interaction with your professors.
The HPE teaching major
Berry’s HPE teaching major is designed to prepare you for state teaching certification in preschool through grade 12 (P-12). When you successfully complete the program, you will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in education and be ready to sit for the state teacher-certification exam. The HPE program meets National Association of Sport and Physical Education standards. All of Berry’s teacher-preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The Charter School of Education and Human Sciences is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.
The interdisciplinary studies program
If you are highly motivated and self-directed you may be able to pursue an interdisciplinary course of study with emphasis on sports-related courses. Students who pursue the flexible interdisciplinary studies degree program work closely with their faculty advisor to integrate classes from multiple disciplines into a unified and coherent course of study that culminates in a capstone paper or project.
Opportunities for firsthand learning
As a Berry HPE major, you’ll begin to have field experiences in your sophomore year. Supervised assignments in local preschool, elementary, middle and high schools may include class observation and assistance; interviews with teachers and administrators; teaching in the classroom, on the field and in the gymnasium; and extracurricular activities. As a senior, you’ll have a student-teaching experience under the guidance of a qualified supervising teacher. Berry also offers many opportunities for students to work on campus, and there are a variety of sports-related positions.
Dance program
Berry’s dance program offers a wide array of opportunities. For the serious dancer, the annual spring dance concert offers a main-stage performance with professional choreography and costume, set and lighting design. If you want to improve your dance skills, courses are available in modern dance, choreography, yoga, movement for stage and children’s creative dance. And for those who want to dance socially, there are a variety of Latin, ballroom and country-western dance classes. A minor in dance also is available through the departments of theatre and kinesiology. Twenty-one hours of dance and theatre courses constitute a dance minor that can be added to any major academic program.
BOLD program
The Berry Outdoor Leadership Development (BOLD) program offers academic courses and team-building workshops for students, sports teams, educational programs and professional groups. KIN-BOLD courses include rock climbing, backpacking, mountain biking, kayaking, aquatics and challenge courses, as well as adventure sports and experiential leadership development. BOLD team-building activities help groups from on and off campus to improve communication, problem solving and goal-setting skills; build trust; and explore co-operative learning.
Collegiate sports
Many HPE majors are interested in competing in collegiate sports. Berry offers a full array of men’s and women’s intercollegiate teams including basketball, golf, lacrosse, running, soccer, tennis, and swimming and diving. Other varsity sports include men’s baseball and women’s softball, volleyball and equestrian. Berry student-athletes have a long history of success on the playing field and in the classroom. After many years in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Berry is now a provisional member of NCAA Division III.
Intramurals
If you want to play intramural sports, Berry is a great place for you. Activities include badminton, basketball, bowling, cross country, flag football, golf, mixed doubles tennis, soccer, softball, ultimate Frisbee and volleyball.
HPE teacher-education careers
HPE graduates typically teach at the elementary, middle-grades or high school levels, and many also pursue athletic coaching interests in varsity or junior varsity sports. Others opt for graduate study in physical education or a related field. Graduate school is an excellent choice if you want to teach and/or coach at the collegiate level or work in sports psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy or athletic training. There are many careers related to HPE in addition to teaching and coaching. A short list of careers and possible workplaces includes sports information, corporate fitness, dance, industrial recreation, the Y (formerly YMCA), camps, sports equipment, officiating, private sports instruction and sporting-event management.
Whom may I contact for more information?
Dr. Angela Baldwin-Lanier
alanier@berry.edu
Cage Center
706-238-7807