University of South Carolina
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MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the doctoral program in physical education is to prepare individuals for tenure-track faculty appointments at research extensive universities.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Concentrations are offered in physical education pedagogy and motor behavior. Individuals who complete the doctoral program are prepared to assume leadership roles in physical education teacher education, motor behavior, and related disciplines.
Unique Aspects of our Program:
The doctoral program in physical education at the University of South Carolina is based on an apprenticeship model, which aligns formal program requirements with typical expectations for tenure-track faculty at research extensive universities. Candidates are prepared in the skills needed to be professionally successful in a higher education climate that is shifting toward more rigorous scholarship expectations.
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
Teaching:
Doctoral students on teaching assistantships usually teach two university classes each semester for three years (the extent of the assistantship). Classes typically include core content from the undergraduate program of study for teacher certification in physical education. All doctoral students (whether on a teaching assistantship or not) are required to demonstrate effective teaching or other relevant practical application in a field-based setting.
Scholarship:
Doctoral students are expected to complete dissertation requirements, co-author two research manuscripts (beyond the scope of the dissertation requirements) submitted for publication, give a national/international presentation as lead author, and assist a faculty member with peer reviewing for a journal.
Service:
Doctoral students are expected to serve on a departmental committee and participate in a professional service initiative (e.g., help faculty present a professional development workshop for teachers, serve on a school wellness council, serve on a committee for the state organization).
CORE COURSES
Core Content Courses (15-18 credit hours required):
Research Methods Courses (15 hours required):
Cognate (9-12 hours required): To be selected with input from the program of study committee. The intent of the cognate is to give the candidate an opportunity to develop expertise related to a student’s course of study. The content of courses for a cognate is flexible and based on a student’s interest.
Research Practica (6 hours required):
- PEDU 730 (3 hours) - Psychosocial Aspects of Sport & Rehabilitation: The application of psychological principles from motivation, arousal regulation, individual differences and psychological skills for enhancing athletic performance and injury rehabilitation.
- PEDU 731 (3 hours) - Mechanisms of Motor Skill Acquisition: Study of sensory, motor and physical processes that underlie learning and performance of motor skills commonly performed in physical education, sport and dance.
- PEDU 732 (3 hours) - Analysis of Instructional Behavior in Physical Activity Programs: Research-based study of strategies, delivery systems, and clinical, school, and community-based programs in physical activity.
- PEDU 829 (3 hours) - Advanced Topics in Child and Adolescent Development: An interdisciplinary study of individual (physical and psychological), environmental and task related variables as they relate to motor skill performance, physical activity participation and athlete development.
- PEDU 830 (3 hours) - Development of Skilled Sport Performance: Development of cognitive and motor processes necessary for skilled performance in sport.
- PEDU 840 (3 hours) - Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on the Study of Teaching and Instruction: A survey and critical analysis of the field of research on teaching and instruction.
- PEDU 841 (3 hours) - Seminar in Research on Teaching in Physical Education: Interpretation and critical analysis of research on selected topics on teaching and instruction in physical education.
- PEDU 850 (3 hours) - Research, Theory, and Practice of Teacher Education in Physical Education: Research, theory, and methods of teacher education in physical education.
- PEDU 860 (3 hours) - Advanced Curriculum and Philosophy in Physical Education (PEDU 722 or equivalent is a prerequisite for this course): Curriculum theory and design in physical education; implications of major philosophical positions, developmental and learning theory, and culture on the design and implementation of physical education curriculum.
- PEDU 870 (3 hours) - Promoting Integrative Youth Physical Development: Examination of the synergistic nature of various physical, behavorial and psychological factors that promote positive trajectories of health in youth and how they are promoted across childhood and adolescence in physical education.
Research Methods Courses (15 hours required):
- EDRM 710 or BIOS 700 (3 hours) - Educational Statistics I: Introductory course in statistics for graduate students in education and the other social sciences. Central tendency and variability, normal distribution, simple correlation and regression, z and t tests for one and two samples, and the chi-square test. Use of statistical software.
- EDRM 710 or BIOS 700 (3 hours) - Introduction to Biotatistics: Health-related statistical applications. Descriptive statistics, probability, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression, correlation, ANOVA. May not be used as part of a degree program in epidemiology or biostatistics.
- EDRM 711 (3 hours) - Educational Statistics II: Continuation of Educational Statistics I. Inference for one and two samples, factorial designs, repeated measures designs, and multiple regression. Use of statistical software.
- EDFI 730 (3 hours) - Qualitative Epistemologies, Paradigms & Theories: Foundations of qualitative research including historical, philosophical, and theoretical perspectives. Examination of different qualitative approaches and associated methodological issues.
- PEDU 770 (3 hours) - Research Methods in Physical Education: A study of applicable methods and tools of research in physical education and athletic training. Provision for students to engage in original research.
- EDFI 731 (3 hours) - Qualitative Inquiry: Qualitative research methods including naturalistic inquiry, participant observation, interviewing, focus groups, and document analysis.
- EDRM 816 (3 hours) - Correlational and Multivariate Methods: Advanced statistical applications including partial and multiple correlational methods, multiple regression, multivariate analysis of variance, discriminant analysis, and canonical correlation. Use of statistical software.
- EDRM 810 (3 hours) - Design and Analysis of Experiments: Emphasis on the development of an understanding of the role of inferential statistics in educational experimentation, a working knowledge of the common tests in statistical analysis, and the student’s ability to design and execute experiments involving application of the statistical tests.
Cognate (9-12 hours required): To be selected with input from the program of study committee. The intent of the cognate is to give the candidate an opportunity to develop expertise related to a student’s course of study. The content of courses for a cognate is flexible and based on a student’s interest.
Research Practica (6 hours required):
- PEDU 832 (3 hours) - Research Practicum in Motor Learning/Motor Performance: Application of grant writing for research in physical education pedagogy, motor behavior, and physical activity/health.
- PEDU 833 (3 hours) - Research Practicum in Physical Education: Application of research in physical education pedagogy, motor behavior, and physical activity/health.
ADMISSIONS
Individuals applying for admission to the doctoral program in physical education must submit the following information to the University of South Carolina Graduate School. Applications can be made through the Internet at www.sc.edu. Prospective students may request a paper application by writing the Doctoral Program Coordinator, Department of Physical Education and Athletic Training, USC, Columbia, SC 29208. Information submitted must include:
Admission decisions are based on the portfolio of information listed above. Priority will usually be given to applicants with relevant practical teaching and research experiences. Faculty also encourage, but do not require, doctoral students to visit the USC campus to discuss the doctoral program with faculty prior to admission. Please visit the Graduate School website for additional information on applications.
International students are also required to obtain an appropriate visa and demonstrate competence in English. Competence in English can be demonstrated by obtaining an advanced degree at an institution in the United States or a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or IELTS exam.
- A recent (within 5 years) Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
- Transcripts of all previous college/university work.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- A sample of expository writing to include future goals and specific research interests.
- A current curriculum vita.
Admission decisions are based on the portfolio of information listed above. Priority will usually be given to applicants with relevant practical teaching and research experiences. Faculty also encourage, but do not require, doctoral students to visit the USC campus to discuss the doctoral program with faculty prior to admission. Please visit the Graduate School website for additional information on applications.
International students are also required to obtain an appropriate visa and demonstrate competence in English. Competence in English can be demonstrated by obtaining an advanced degree at an institution in the United States or a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or IELTS exam.
Preferred/Minimum Requirements:
- A GRE score of 146 verbal, 140 quantitative, are the minimum GRE scores to be considered for admission.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in graduate coursework is required.
**These are preferred requirements but exceptions can be made on an individual basis**
FINANCIAL AIDE AND EMPLOYMENT
Graduate assistantships of $20,000 per year (9-month contract) for three years are awarded on a competitive basis.
The Department of Physical Education and Athletic Training offers graduate assistantships to support full time graduate study of doctoral students. Students receive a stipend which includes in state tuition reductions for performing duties in the department. These duties may include, but not be limited to the following: teaching or assisting faculty with undergraduate and master program classes, teaching courses relative to expertise, assisting faculty with research, supervising students in practicums or other departmental duties as assigned.
Applications for assistantships can be found on the departmental web page listed under the College of Education or requested from the Doctoral Program Coordinator, Department of Physical Education and Athletic Training, USC, Columbia, SC 29208. Assistantships can only be awarded to students who are fully admitted to the doctoral program. Thus, to be considered for an assistantship, students must submit a formal application to the doctoral program through the USC Graduate School. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis.
All entering doctoral students who are awarded an assistantship must attend a workshop sponsored by the University of South Carolina Graduate School during the week prior to the beginning of classes in the fall semester. Usually, this workshop is held near the middle of August.
The Department of Physical Education and Athletic Training offers graduate assistantships to support full time graduate study of doctoral students. Students receive a stipend which includes in state tuition reductions for performing duties in the department. These duties may include, but not be limited to the following: teaching or assisting faculty with undergraduate and master program classes, teaching courses relative to expertise, assisting faculty with research, supervising students in practicums or other departmental duties as assigned.
Applications for assistantships can be found on the departmental web page listed under the College of Education or requested from the Doctoral Program Coordinator, Department of Physical Education and Athletic Training, USC, Columbia, SC 29208. Assistantships can only be awarded to students who are fully admitted to the doctoral program. Thus, to be considered for an assistantship, students must submit a formal application to the doctoral program through the USC Graduate School. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis.
All entering doctoral students who are awarded an assistantship must attend a workshop sponsored by the University of South Carolina Graduate School during the week prior to the beginning of classes in the fall semester. Usually, this workshop is held near the middle of August.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Department of Physical Education and Athletic Training
Blatt Physical Education Center 1300 Wheat Street Columbia, SC 29208 |