Curriculum and Pedagogy Studies in Physical Education
The Curriculum and Pedagogical Graduate Studies program focuses on the development and evaluation of innovative physical activity curricula and programs for children, adolescents, and young adults in variety of settings including elementary, middle, high schools, colleges and beyond.
There are quite a few specific areas of study that graduate students can specialize in, depending on your own academic interests. An individualized approach is central to the graduate study in that the student will work with a team of very experienced advisors to develop and follow a plan of study most meaningful to the student.
Our Pedagogical Kinesiology Research Lab offers research assistantship to qualified full-time graduate students along with the teaching assistantship offered by the Department of Kinesiology. We also help qualified students to apply for competitive fellowships and scholarships UNCG offers.
For more information, contact Dr. Ang Chen, Dr. Ben Dyson, Dr. Michael Hemphill, or Dr. Thomas Martinek.
The ultimate goal of the Curriculum and Pedagogical Graduate Studies program is to help graduate students accomplish their professional goals with high quality graduate education in physical activity programming that benefits citizens throughout the life-span.
Goal 1
Helping graduate students develop research/scholarship competence needed to lead the field via evidence-informed practices
Objectives
- Offering quality training to Ph.D. and Masters students through rigorous courses in the concentration and in associated disciplines such as education and psychology
- Involving graduate students in research projects to gain hands-on experiences of conducting research
- Immersing graduate students in our long-lasting culture of using research evidence to inform scholarship and practice
Goal 2
Helping graduate students become independent and competent scholars and practitioners who are able to operate successfully in a variety of settings to achieve their career goals
Objectives
- Working with the advisor to develop personalized career goals and design a plan of study tailored to achieve the goals
- Mastering theories and practical skill sets required for the chosen career through working on research and teaching projects (may be supported with research and/or teaching assistantships)
- Producing relevant outcomes (research publications, PA programming products, etc.) that will enhance the possibility of securing future employment at the desired field/institutions
Concentration Faculty
- Ang Chen, Professor
- Ben Dyson, Associate Professor
- Michael Hemphill, Assistant Professor
- Thomas Martinek, Professor
Labs
The Pedagogical Kinesiology Laboratory (PKL Lab)
MS Degree Information
The MS Degree in the Curriculum and Pedagogy Studies area consists of two major tracks that suit the individual student’s career goals: thesis option and non-thesis option. The thesis option track is for those who would like to continue with their graduate studies to achieve the goal of eventually earning a doctoral degree. The non-thesis track is best for those who would like to gain advanced knowledge and skills about curriculum and instruction. A total of 36 credit hours work is required for both tracks. The credit hours are divided into 30 credits for coursework and 6 for thesis (thesis option) or project (non-thesis). It takes about 2 years to complete the degree program.
PhD Degree Information
The Ph.D. degree program provides a rigorous training for those students who aspire to achieve the highest level of education. The degree requires a total of 60 credit hours’ work in which a minimum of 48 is devoted to coursework and independent studies and the other 12 to dissertation. There are four major milestones in the progression toward the degree: approval of the Plan of Study, Comprehensive Examinations, approval of the Dissertation Research Proposal, and the defense of the Dissertation. It normally takes about 4 years to complete the degree program.
Plan of Study
Each graduate student in the Curriculum and Pedagogy Studies will work with their chosen advisor and a Plan of Study committee. Together they will make a plan of study most relevant to the student’s career goal. When admitted, a tangible, step-by-step, course-by-course plan of study is created after a series of meetings between the student and the advisor. The plan can be adjusted as needed per the requirements for graduate studies and the student’s needs. The plan is followed closely and reviewed annually to ensure the study will eventually lead to the goals set by the student and the advisor.