Program in Physical Education

Mission Statement

 The mission of the physical education concentration is to prepare students for transfer into a baccalaureate program to pursue state certification in teaching. An additional purpose is to prepare students for occupations in athletics, sports or recreation activities other than teaching.

Physical Education Teaching Concentration: Goals are as follows:

1. To provide students with a rigorous academic program, supervised fieldwork and practical teaching experiences in physical education that will prepare them for transfer into a Baccalaureate program.

2. To provide students with knowledge and practical experience in using national and/or state standards, as well as assessment tools in physical education.

3. To provide students with the content knowledge, sport and activity skills to effectively teach physical education.

4. To provide students with knowledge and practical experience in First Aid, Safety, and CPR to enable them to address safety issues in physical education.

5. To provide students with a foundation in leadership, personal values, and ethical standards as they relate to physical education pedagogy.

6. To provide students with the technological and communication skills (reading, writing, and speaking) necessary to effectively teach physical education.

Co-Directors: Dr. Nicholas Skirka and Prof. Michele Bracco
Contact: Phone: 718-368-5290 or 5197 - Email: nskirka@kbcc.cuny.edu; mbracco@kbcc.cuny.edu
 
The program in Physical Education, Recreation and Recreation Therapy (PERRT) offers an A.A.S. degree with a concentration in Physical Education for students wishing to pursue careers in teaching. The concentration prepares students to teach and lead physical education classes in public and private schools (grades K-12), as well as community centers, health clubs and camps. The physical education program prepares students for teaching, covers content knowledge, and assessment of learning outcomes. Upon completion of the degree, students can continue a B.S. Degree and receive state certification in physical education at private and public upper division colleges.

The concentration in physical education consists of courses in sports skills (individual, dual and team sports), methodology of teaching physical education, fitness and exercise to prepare students to teach physical activity in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as community centers and fitness clubs. Additionally, the program is affiliated with high schools, community centers, health clubs and YMCA's where students receive on the job training as part of a fieldwork course. Students complete 100 hours of practical experience at a site of their choice under the mentorship of a qualified professional
 
Students receiving the A.A.S. Degree in Physical Education, Recreation and Recreation Therapy (PERRT) with a concentration in Physical Education can work as exercise leaders in fitness centers, community centers (YMCA's, aquatics, after school and recreation programs), as coaches, officials or counselors in summer camps. They can also work with special populations such as the disabled or senior citizens.  Students with a B.S., masters or doctoral degree can also work as sports administrators, athletic directors, teachers in health and physical education, and recreation.

It has been projected that there will be many opportunities in the field of physical education in the future. These projections are based on teacher shortages and projected retirements of in-service teachers, as well as a growing public understanding of the significance of physical activity for lifetime wellness. Physical education promotes movement, motor learning, social interaction, play, sport and fitness as integral components of development and wellness. It is particularly important for children to cultivate pleasure and joy in movement in order to promote lifetime physical activity and wellness.

If you have similar values and beliefs about physical activity and desire to impart them to youngsters, stop by E115 (Program in Physical Education, Recreation and Recreation Therapy) or contact Dr. Nicholas Skirka or Prof. Michele Bracco at 718-368-5831 (or 5696) for an appointment to discuss a career in physical education. You can also e-mail nskirka@kbcc.cuny.edu for information. 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
RPE 11 Introduction to Recreation and Physical Education
RPE 12 Leadership in Recreation, Physical Education, and Sport Management
RPE 14 Outdoor Recreation
RPE  31 Therapeutic Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities:1
RPE 32 Organization and Administration of Recreation, Phy. Ed., Sport Management
RPE 40 Sport and American Society
RPE 70 Methods of Teaching Fitness in Physical Education
RPE  91 Field Experience in Sports, Fitness and Recreation
RPE 9152 Field Experience in Physical Education, Rec./Rec. Therapy, Sport ManagementHPE  15 Fitness Assessment and Prescription
HE  35 First Aid & Personal Safety

Students are also required to complete four  sports courses skill courses (PEC,PEM, PEW) that may be selected from a number of team, individual, dance, or aquatic courses.

Kingsborough Community College provides excellent Fieldwork Sites for students to receive hands-on-training from licensed professionals. The students will do their fieldwork at the following placements: FDR and Goldstein High Schools (Physical Education Department); Kings Bay YMCA (Sports Programs); P.A.L. Sports Division and McBurney YMCA Fitness Center; Project Connect and U.C.P. Children's Program (Adapted Physical Education); and Prospect Park YMCA (Physical Fitness and Wellness Program).

The physical education program is seeking students who have a desire to become teachers or sports and recreation administrators.

For more information, call the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at (718) 368-5831 or the Office of Admissions Information at (718) 368-4600.