Graduate Studies in Sport Pedagogy
Sport Pedagogy is the youngest subdiscipline to emerge from the field of physical education over the past two decades. Research in this area focuses on the empirical study of teaching and learning processes in various physical activity settings and the process of teacher education. Physical activity settings can include school based physical education programs as well as youth sport, interscholastic, collegiate and elite (e.g., Olympic) level sport programs.
Despite its young age, research efforts to date have provided important data on teachers' and coaches' instructional behavior patterns as well as those of their students and athletes in the areas of teacher-student interaction patterns, classroom management, and student work involvement. Furthermore, there now is clear evidence that the act of instruction is amenable to change, that is both preservice and experienced teachers can be trained to utilize/improve their instructional skills, using several forms of training (including prompting, modeling, goal setting, and feedback).
Sport Pedagogy is one of several specializations offered in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at Oregon State University. Currently the Master of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Science is available within this specialization. The masters degree for full-time students usually requires a two-year course of study, culminating in the completion of a Master's Thesis. The Masters degree program serves to introduce students to Sport Pedagogy as a subdiscipline and provide the first opportunity to experience the teaching research process. The topics chosen for research are coordinated by the Sport Pedagogy faculty members.
In addition to credit hours in the Research Core (min. 11 credit hrs.) and Thesis (6-9 credit hrs.), course work will also include a minimum of 12 credit hours in the Sport Pedagogy Concentration and a minimum of 15 credit hours in a minor (e.g., education, sport psychology, motor control and learning, movement studies in disability). Finally, a maximum of four elective credit hours is available.
Employment Opportunities
MS graduates typically use this degree program as a stepping stone toward continued study at the doctoral level. If the Master's Degree is the terminal degree, graduates can apply for teaching positions with additional responsibilities. These might include instructional supervision, coordinator of physical education programs at school district levels. Another direction would include teaching at the community/junior college level.
More Information
For additional information or to discuss graduate work in sport pedagogy, contact Barbara Cusimano at: barbara.cusimano@oregonstate.edu or Hans van der Mars at: Hans.vanderMars@oregonstate.edu
