DUAL DEGREES: BS/MS AND DUAL CERTIFICATION
Tell me and I forget; Teach me and I remember; Involve me and I learn.
– Benjamin Franklin
What is the Dual Degree Program?
Hofstra’s dual degree program in Health and Physical Education is a five-year, 155-credit program that leads to both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, along with New York State certification to teach health and physical education to students in pre-K through grade 12. Dual certification is a preferred credential for many school districts hiring health or physical education teachers, giving graduates greater flexibility as they begin their careers.
The program prepares future health and physical education teachers to become knowledgeable, skilled, and reflective educators who can support students with a wide range of needs, experiences, cultural backgrounds, disabilities, and abilities. Students learn how to develop and deliver effective, innovative health and physical education programs that meet New York State Learning Standards. After successfully completing all requirements for the BS in Physical Education and Health and MS in Health and Physical Education, graduates are eligible for Hofstra’s recommendation for initial certification in both areas.
Students complete 125 undergraduate and 30 graduate credits, including health and physical education content and methods courses. They learn to develop creative, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate lessons and units while building a strong foundation in human anatomy, physiology, movement sciences, health content, and personal life skills. The curriculum also provides broad exposure to the liberal arts and sciences.
Why Choose Hofstra’s Dual Degree?
Hands-on experience is built into the program. Through methodology courses and other field experiences, students are placed in schools where they work directly with teachers and gain practical experience with students of different ages. By graduation, students have a range of school-based experiences to add to their résumés.
Hofstra’s health and kinesiology faculty are committed to experiential learning, giving students opportunities to apply what they learn in a variety of school settings throughout the program. Hofstra’s Career Center also provides resources and support to help students prepare for the transition from college to career.
Hofstra graduates are known for their strong content knowledge, their ability to design, assess, and evaluate instructional programs, and their teaching skills. They graduate prepared to meet the needs of learners from a broad range of cultural backgrounds and experiences.
B.S. Major in Physical Education and Health/M.S. in Health & Physical Education: Suggested Five Year Sequence (155 s.h.)
| FIRST YEAR (FALL) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | WSC 1 | Composition | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PSY 001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 053 | Foundations of Physical Education | 3 | |
| BS | BIO 103 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 119 | Introduction to Adventure Education | 1 | |
| BS | PE Activity Courses | 1 | ||
| BS | Philosophy elective | 3 | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 17 | 12 | ||
| FIRST YEAR (SPRING) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | WSC 2 | Composition II | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 013A | Fundamentals of Movement | 4 | |
| BS | DANCE 121 | Choreography | 3 | 3 |
| BS | BIO 105 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 80 | Fitness Programming | 1 | |
| BS | PE Activity Courses | 2 | ||
| TOTAL | 16 | 9 | ||
| Running total | 33 | 21 | ||
| SECOND YEAR (FALL) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | MATH 008 | Elementary Mathematical Statistics | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PSY 53 or 54 | Child Psychology or Adolescent Psychology | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 167 | Motor Learning | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 012 | Folk & Square Dance | 1 | |
| BS | C & T 102 | Dvl Lrn Chldhd/Adlscns | 3 | |
| BS | LYST 100 | Literacy for Special Topics | 1 | |
| BS | Liberal Arts Elective (under advisement) | 3 | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 17 | 9 | ||
| Running Total | 50 | 30 | ||
| SECOND YEAR (SPRING) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | BIO 106 | Exercise Physiology | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 104 | Secondary Physical Education Methods | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 155b | Field Experience in Secondary Physical Education | 1.5 | |
| BS | FDED 111 or 127 | The American School / Philosophy of Education | 3 | 3 |
| BS | HPFS 069 | Stress Management | 1 | |
| BS | PESP 108 | Assessment in Physical Education | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 136 | Tactical Games II | 1 | |
| BS | PESP 135 | Tactical Games I | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 16.5 | 6 | ||
| Running Total | 66.5 | 36 | ||
| THIRD YEAR (FALL) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | PESP 106 | Kinesiology | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 159 | Sport & Physical Education in Cross-Cult Context | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 103 | Elementary Physical Education Methods | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 155a | Field Experience in Elementary Physical Education | 1.5 | |
| BS | HPFS 66/212 | Substance Abuse & Misuse | 3 | |
| BS | Language other than English | 3 | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 16.5 | 6 | ||
| Running Total | 83 | 42 | ||
| THIRD YEAR (SPRING) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | Literature Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 170/170A | Adapted Physical Education | 4 | |
| BS | PESP 015A | Gymnastics | 1 | |
| BS | HPFS 114/213 | Nutrition & Fitness | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 138A | Methods of Coaching | 3 | |
| BS | SPCM 1 | Speech Communication | 3 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 17 | 6 | ||
| Running Total | 100 | 48 | ||
| FOURTH YEAR (FALL) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | PESP 164 | Organization & Admin Physical Education | 3 | |
| BS | HED 201 | Introduction to Health & Disease | 3 | |
| MS | HED 211 | Human Sexuality Education | 3 | |
| MS | HED 210 | Mental Health Issues | 3 | |
| BS | PE Activity Course(s) | 1 | ||
| BS | Liberal Arts Elective (under advisement) | 3 | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 16 | 3 | ||
| Running Total | 116 | 51 | ||
| FOURTH YEAR (SPRING) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| MS | HED 215 | Media Literacy & Consumer Health | 3 | |
| BS | HPFS 105/202 | Health Education Curriculum Development | 3 | |
| MS | HED 222 | Implementing Health Curricula II (K-12) | 3 | |
| BS | History Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| BS | Liberal Arts Elective (under advisement) | 3 | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 15 | 6 | ||
| Running Total | 131 | 57 | ||
| FIFTH YEAR (FALL) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| MS | HED 214 | Chronic & Communicable Diseases | 3 | |
| MS | HED 221 | Implementing Health Curricula I (K-12) | 3 | |
| BS | Liberal Arts Elective (under advisement) | 6 | 6 | |
| MS | HED 300 | Capstone: Health Education | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 15 | 6 | ||
| Running Total | 146 | 63 | ||
| FIFTH YEAR (SPRING) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| MS | HED 272A | Student Teaching: Elementary Health Education | 1.5* | |
| MS | HED 272B | Student Teaching: Secondary Health Education | 1.5* | |
| MS | MSPE 272A | Student Teaching: Elementary Physical Education | 3 | |
| MSPE 272B | Student Teaching: Secondary Physical Education | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 9 | 0 | ||
| Running Total | 155 | 63 | ||
| FIRST YEAR (FALL) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | WSC 1 | Composition | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PSY 001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | 3 |
| BS | MATH 008 | Elementary Mathematical Statistics | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 053 | Foundations of Physical Education | 3 | |
| BS | BIO 103 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP | Physical Education Activity Course(s) | 1 | 12 |
| TOTAL | 16 | 12 | ||
| FIRST YEAR (SPRING) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | WSC 2 | Composition II | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 013A | Fundamentals of Human Movement | 3 | |
| BS | PSY 53 or 54 | Child Psychology or Adol. Psychology | 3 | 3 |
| BS | DANCE 121 | Choreography 1 | 3 | 3 |
| BS | BIO 105 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP | Physical Education Activity Course(s) | 1 | |
| BS | HPFS 69 | Stress Management | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 17 | 12 | ||
| Running total | 33 | 24 | ||
| SECOND YEAR (FALL) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | PESP 104 | Methods and Materials for Teaching at the Secondary Level | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 155B | Field Experience: 6th-12th Grade Physical Education | 1.5 | |
| BS | PHI | Philosophy elective | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 159 | Sport & Physical Education in Cross-Cultural Context | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 106 | Structural & Mechanical Kinesiology | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 119 | Cooperative and Adventure Activities | 1 | |
| BS | PESP 25 | Fitness for Life | 2 | |
| BS | PESP 015A | Gymnastics | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 17.5 | 6 | ||
| Running Total | 50.5 | 30 | ||
| SECOND YEAR (SPRING) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | BIO 106 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 103 | Methods and Materials for Teaching at the Elementary Level | 3 | |
| BS | HIST | History Elective | 3 | 3 |
| BS | FDED 111 or 127 | The American School OR Introduction to Philosophy of Education | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 155A | Field Experience: PreK-5th Grade Physical Education | 1.5 | |
| BS | SPCM 1, 7, or 55 | Oral Communication | 3 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16.5 | 12 | ||
| Running Total | 67 | 42 | ||
| THIRD YEAR (FALL) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | LAS | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 167 | Principles of Perceptual Motor Learning | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 012 | Folk & Square Dance | 1 | |
| BS | CT 102 | Development & Learning in Childhood & Adolescence | 3 | |
| BS | HPFS 102 | Organization & Administration of School Health Programs | 3 | |
| BS | HPFS 62/HED 201 | Personal and Community Health/Health & Disease | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 135 | Tactical Concepts and Teaching Methods for Team Sports | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 17 | 3 | ||
| Running Total | 84 | 45 | ||
| THIRD YEAR (SPRING) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | PESP 108 | Assessment in Physical Education | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 136 | Tactical Concepts and Teaching Methods for Individual Sports | 1 | |
| BS | HPFS 66 | Drugs and Alcohol | 3 | |
| BS | HPFS 114 | Applied Nutrition, Diet and Exercise | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 138A | Methods of Coaching | 3 | |
| BS | LAS | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | 3 |
| BS | PESP 80 | Programming Fitness Activities | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 17 | 3 | ||
| Running Total | 101 | 48 | ||
| FOURTH YEAR (FALL) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | PESP 164 | Organization & Administration of Physical Education | 3 | |
| BS | LYST 100 | Literacy. Health and Physical Education | 1 | |
| MS | HED 211 | Human Sexuality and Family Life Education | 3 | |
| MS | HED 210 | Mental Health Issues for Health Educators | 3 | |
| BS | LAS | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | 3 |
| BS | LAS | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16 | 6 | ||
| Running Total | 117 | 54 | ||
| FOURTH YEAR (SPRING) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | Foreign Language | 3 | 3 | |
| BS | PESP 170/170A | Adapted Physical Education/Field Experience | 4 | |
| MS | HED 215 | Media Literacy & Consumer Health | 3 | |
| MS | HED 222 | Implementing Health Curricula, Grades (6-12) | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 13 | 3 | ||
| Running Total | 130 | 57 | ||
| FIFTH YEAR (FALL) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| BS | LIT | Literature Elective | 3 | 3 |
| BS | LAS | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | 3 |
| MS | HED 221 | Health and the Elementary Child/Implementing Health Curricula (K-5) | 3 | |
| MS | HED 214 | Chronic & Communicable Diseases | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 12 | 6 | ||
| Running Total | 142 | 63 | ||
| FIFTH YEAR (SPRING) | ||||
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| MS | HED 272A | Student Teaching: Elementary Health Education | 1.5* | |
| MS | HED 272B | Student Teaching: Secondary Health Education | 1.5* | |
| MS | MSPE 272A | Student Teaching: Elementary Physical Education | 3 | |
| MS | MSPE 272B | Student Teaching: Secondary Physical Education | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 9 | |||
| Running Total | 151 | |||
- Health Student Teaching occur during the January session
| FIFTH YEAR (SUMMER) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Semester Hours | Liberal Arts | ||
| MS | HED 300 | Capstone Seminar in Health Education | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 3 | |||
| Running Total | 154 | |||
Hofstra is the only local university with an on campus adventure education facility. We also have an Olympic size swimming pool, a large multi-purpose Physical Education Building, a weight room, a brand new, state of the art fitness center, a Recreation Building with a wide variety of intramural and recreational activities, and tennis courts. The program is housed in the Dome Building and has ample and convenient parking.
Students wishing to enroll in the-dual degree program have two entry options:
(1) Direct admission to the dual-degree program
Students entering Hofstra as incoming freshmen can apply for direct admission to this dual-degree program. Applicants must have a combined SAT score of 1220 (or an ACT score of 27) and an overall high school GPA of 3.5 (or be in the top 15 percent of their high school graduating class) in order to be considered for admission. Students admitted directly to the dual-degree program as incoming freshmen will be admitted automatically to the M.S. program at the end of their junior year provided that they fulfill the following requirements:
- a cumulative GPA of 3.0 following completion of at least 90 s.h. of course work toward the B.S. degree; and
- successful completion of PESP 109 and PESP 106.
(2) Admission to the dual-degree program for current Hofstra students
Qualified Hofstra students majoring in Physical Education (B.S.) or qualified transfer students can apply for admission to the dual-degree program upon completion of the first semester of their junior year of undergraduate work. In order to qualify for admission to the dual-degree program, a student must attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application. Students admitted to the dual-degree program should note that admission to the M.S. portion of the program requires the fulfillment of the following requirements:
- a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application to the M.S. program; and
- successful completion of PESP 109 and PESP 106.
Undergraduate students must apply and be accepted and/or transitioned into the graduate program before being allowed to take graduate courses as part of their undergraduate program. In addition, students must complete at least 90 s.h. toward their B.S. degree, with at least 30 s.h. completed in residence at Hofstra, before being permitted to take graduate courses for the M.S. program in Health & Physical Education.
Careers
Why Major in Health and Physical Education?
Careers in Health and Physical Education
Although the dual degree program at Hofstra leads to NYS PK-12 teaching certification, there are many alternative career opportunities for professionals with a Masters degree in health and physical education. In addition to teaching, graduates can:
- Teach in community-based programs
- Work in athletic programs as interscholastic, intercollegiate or travel team coaches
- Provide instruction in nutrition and fitness in health clubs, private gyms, and spas
- Work in recreational settings such as YMCAs and camps
- Provide leadership in sports organizations such as Little League
- Work in adventure education programs that are corporate, community, or school-based.
- Have the opportunity to develop recreational classes and fitness development programs in senior citizen and independent living programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Upon successful completion of this dual program, you will be
In possession of:
- a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physical Education & Health
- a Master of Science (M.S.) in Health & Physical Education
Able to obtain:
- Initial Teaching Certification in both Physical Education and Health.
Able to teach:
- Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Physical Education
- Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Health
- Please see our Careers page for other employment options
Hofstra boasts the only dual degree program on Long Island that provides a B.S. and M.S. degree and teaching certification in health and physical education. All teachers need a Masters Degree for permanent teaching certification. The Hofstra program offers a fully integrated dual degree program designed to prepare highly qualified professionals. The program can be completed in 5 years.
The Hofstra health and physical education major programs are highly regarded by school districts and are known for preparing well-qualified and competent professionals. Over the years, our graduates have been the best advertisement for our programs.
No, being a good teacher does not require that you are an athlete. If you are committed to living a healthy lifestyle, enjoy being active and engaging in sport activities, and you enjoy helping others learn and grow, you have the right ingredients to pursue the Hofstra program of study in health and physical education.
Graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education & Health requires:
- Completion of all General Education Core requirements
- Completion of all program prerequisites and corequisites
- Completion of all the 125 semester hour course requirements for the B.S.
- No grades lower than C- and no unresolved INC grades in professional education and physical education course work
- An overall GPA of 2.75 or better in all course work
Graduation with a Master of Science in Health & Physical Education requires:
- Completion of all General Education Core requirements
- Completion of all program prerequisites and corequisites
- An overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all graduate course work
Students not electing to continue into the MS program will NOT be eligible for certification for Health or Physical Education.
Upon the successful completion of a teacher education program, students will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for new York State Certification. Students are required to have passing scores on each of the following New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE):
- The Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
- The Assessment of Teaching Skills – Written (ATS-W)
- The Physical Education Content Specialty Test (CST #076)
- The Health Education Content Specialty Test (CST #073)
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