Graduate Program Mission
The mission of the graduate program in physical education at SUNY Cortland is to educate specialists in either Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) or Adapted Physical Education (APE) who will be both leaders and advocates of positive change in their fields. This graduate program constitutes a response to the growing need for post-baccalaureate competencies in the areas of Physical Education Curriculum and Instruction and Adapted Physical Education. This program enables students to continue formal, collegial studies beyond the baccalaureate level by building on the foundation of general and specialized study achieved in their undergraduate degree.
The program emphasizes academic excellence, the pursuit of knowledge, the development of students' critical and analytical abilities, and the application of theory into practice so that the students will assume positions of leadership within the profession. The program is dedicated to a scholarly environment where students will be able to derive an appreciation of, and an experience in scholarship and service. Through such an environment, students realize the link between theory, practice, and service.
The Graduate Faculty is dedicated to the delivery of high quality course work informed by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education Standards (NASPE), Adaptive Physical Education National Standards (APENS), and the New York State Learning Standards in Physical Education. Through the infusion of technology in instruction and the promotion of an academic culture appreciative of diversity and the value of physical well being, faculty seek to prepare individuals who will be on the cutting edge of professional practice. In addition, it is expected that students will develop the skills necessary to become innovators and change agents for the advancement of the field of physical education. Finally, the program encourages the development of individuals who value a lifelong love of learning and the process of scholarly inquiry.