Spring 2025 Update 
    
    Dec 13, 2024  
Spring 2025 Update

Physical Education, M.A. (Professional)


NY State Program Code: 41884

HEGIS Code: 0835.00

CIP Code: 13.1314

(33 Credits)

Paul Rukavina, Program Director
Woodruff Hall, Room 171
p - (516) 877-4197
f - (516) 877-4258
e - rukavina@adelphi.edu

The Master of Arts in Physical Education Teaching (professional) program prepares students to teach Pre-K to 12 physical education in schools. Students acquire the knowledge, skills, and confidence to conduct a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive Physical Education Program. Teachers will have the opportunity to complete a capstone project to refine their teaching practice. The program offers a plan of study for students who already hold a valid New York State initial/provisional teacher certification in physical education and obtain professional certification after completion.

The specialization in Teaching Adapted Physical Education  prepares teachers as specialists in adapted physical education to serve as leaders in a variety of school-based environments working with students with disabilities. Through their coursework students learn to apply knowledge of the characteristics, considerations, and movement abilities of common impairments to meet the needs, limitations, and capacities of students with disabilities. Within the program is an exciting experiential learning option for students is participating in Camp Abilities Long Island, a developmental sport camp for children who are visually impaired, blind and deaf-blind, teaching them to be physical active and improve their ability to master specific sports, recreational and social activities. 

Previous course work and experiences are evaluated with respect to their comparability with required coursework; however, the M.A. in physical education (pre-service) degree requires a minimum of 33 graduate credits. Co-requisite core content are not included in the 33 credit minimum.

Students may be able to transfer up to 6 credits of non-Adelphi graduate level courses and/or up to 9 credits of Adelphi graduate level courses to the program upon advisor’s approval, not to exceed 9 total transfer credits. Students may transfer undergraduate Physical Education Co-requisite Core Content courses that meet the program requirements.

Additional coursework may be necessary where a student’s background in identified content areas is found to be lacking or weak (e.g., general education core in liberal arts and sciences).

Pedagogical Core (if needed)


Courses (or equivalent) NYS required for teacher certification if needed. Courses are waived if already taken as an undergraduate at Adelphi University or a related university.

Grade Requirements


  •     Minimum 3.00 Major GPA required
  •     Minimum C grade required in major undergraduate courses and B- in all courses 500 level or above.

Specialization in Teaching Adapted Physical Education (21 credits)


Students who choose a specialization in Teaching Adapted Physical Education need 15 Core credits and 6 elective credits.

Required Specialization Courses (15 credits)