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In this master of science program, you will take courses that emphasize health and human movement while you practice teaching physical activities and fitness. You’ll learn how best to transmit your knowledge of physical education to eager students, helping them to discover the personal enhancements that come with health, wellness, and fitness.
The program prepares you for employment as a physical education teacher at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and our graduates make up a large percentage of New York City’s Pre-K through 12 physical education teachers. This program will not only support you to gain New York State Certification but will also provide you with both the analytical and practical skills to offer students the support needed to thrive.
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2024–25 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
This Master of Science degree program will prepare, develop, and advance the skills of both aspiring and practicing physical education teachers (P–12). The physical education teacher major offers three tracks leading to Initial, Professional, or Transitional B New York State teacher certification. Students seeking Transitional B certification must be employed as a full-time New York City public school teacher.
The profession of teacher education is licensed by the New York State Education Department. Therefore, program requirements are subject to change. All students should consult with the Department of Secondary Education for the current requirements.
Each student is evaluated individually based upon prior experiences. Based upon this evaluation and current certification requirements of the New York State Education Department, courses in education or another department may be substituted for required courses with permission of the department program coordinator.
The Professional Track (Option 1 A) enhances teaching skills for students who have their New York State Initial Certification in teaching physical education (P–12). Graduates of this track will be prepared to supplement their instructional, evaluative, and supervisory skills in their positions as teachers, coaches, athletic directors, administrators, and other education-related roles. Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in physical education and New York State Initial Teacher Certification in physical education prior to enrollment in this program. The professional track leads to New York State Professional certification.
The Pre-Professional Track (Option 2 B) is designed for students who come to the field from a background outside of the allied health professions or teacher education and seek initial certification to teach in New York State. The pre-professional track leads to New York State Initial and, after three years of fulltime teaching, professional certification.
The TransB Track (Option C) is designed for candidates enrolled in a DOE Collaborative program.
The New York State Education Department licenses graduates of registered teacher education programs who meet the State requirements for certification therefore, program requirements are subject to change.
Applicants to the Professional Track (Option 1) and the Pre-Professional Track (Option 2) and TransB Track must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00.
A minimum average of 3.00 in graduate courses is required to maintain matriculation.
Applicants to the Professional and Pre-Professional Tracks must take the GRE prior to graduate admission.
International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 650 on the paper-based test or 280 on the computer-based test or 114 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission.
Students should note additional requirements found in the sections of “Admission” and “Academic Regulations and Procedures” in the Graduate Bulletin.
Students who possess Initial Certification will complete the following:
This track is designed to accommodate candidates who do not have New York State initial teacher certification. Undergraduate transcripts will be reviewed and assessed for undergraduate preparation that may count toward the prerequisites for the master’s degree. Students who do not have significant preparation will be required to take 15 credits in undergraduate physical education prerequisites before being fully matriculated as graduate students.
These courses must be completed in the first two semesters of enrollment, prior to full matriculation into the graduate program. Students may co-enroll in prerequisites and graduate course work.
Students will complete the following:
The following nine education courses are required unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous course work.
The following education course is required unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous course work.
The following student teaching courses are required unless candidates have a New York State waiver:
* SEED 7543T is not required if the candidate is teaching physical education full time at an appropriate grade level.
Students teaching with a New York State Internship Certificate must be enrolled in either SEED 7542T or SEED 7001T during every semester that they are teaching under the certificate.
Students completing the Pre-Professional Track will graduate with a master’s degree and be eligible to apply for initial certification provided they complete New York State mandated certification requirements.
The Master of Science Trans B Certificate degree program is designed to develop and advance the skills of novice physical education teachers (P–12).
Brooklyn College, in conjunction with the New York City Department of Education, offers an Alternative Certification program for qualified individuals who attend the college under a contractual arrangement with the Department of Education. Students must meet Brooklyn College admissions criteria. After completing a pre-service preparation program at the college, individuals are recommended for a Transitional B Certificate, which validates the individual’s service in a public school while completing the master’s degree program.
Students pursuing a Trans B Certificate will substitute their teaching job for student teaching but will still register for SEED 6002T. Students will complete the following:
The following eight education courses are required unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous course work.
The following four education courses are required unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous course work.
Candidates will:
Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
The same requirements apply to nondegree applicants.
All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.
Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.
2414 James Hall E: laurablitzer@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3768
Or contact:
222 West Quad Center 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210 E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.4536
Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:
BC Admissions Appointment Tool
Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in the Department of Secondary Education offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Students complete internships in public and private schools throughout the New York City region as well as across the United States. The internship is a supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work as a physical education teacher.
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