March 27 — Roberts Wesleyan College will offer an undergraduate degree in physical education starting in the fall 2008, the Office of the Provost announced today. The New York State Board of Regents recently approved the program.
“We are very pleased to be able to offer a physical education program at this time,” said Nelson Hill, academic dean of Roberts Wesleyan College. ”We know there is a demand for it. And it’s an important program — P.E. teachers are crucial to kids’ early development of healthy habits, sound nutrition, and an active lifestyle. I think we all know our country needs that now, maybe more than ever.”
The program, which will be part of the Roberts’ well-established and well-respected Teacher Education Division, will provide physical education majors with a broad understanding of human developmental processes and variations, including the impact of culture, heritage, socioeconomic level, personal health and safety, nutrition, past or present abusive or dangerous environment, and factors in the home, school, and community on students’ readiness to learn. Roberts’ P.E. program also will provide skills in applying that understanding to create a safe and nurturing learning environment that fosters the health and learning of all students.
Roberts P.E. majors will take foundational Teacher Education courses as well as courses in physical education — all in the college’s Christian atmosphere, developing a spirit of scholarship, spiritual formation, and service in each student.
The P.E. program is being designed and led by Dr. Elaine Gregory, who has spent the last 20 years coordinating the physical education program at Syracuse University. In addition to her higher education experience, Dr. Gregory also taught for eight years at the K-12 level. She earned her Ph.D. in Teaching and Curriculum from Syracuse University; her M.S. in Physical Education from SUNY at Cortland; and her B.A. in Physical Education from Cedarville College.
A full list of P.E. courses will be listed on the website soon. Click here for an overview of undergraduate programs in Roberts’ Division of Teacher Education. Click here to find out how to apply for admission.
