Academic Catalog

Physical Education

(413) 662-5302
Coordinator: Peter Hoyt, Ph.D.
Email: Peter.Hoyt@mcla.edu

The charge of a liberal arts education includes opportunities for intellectual, physical and spiritual development. The physical education courses are housed within the Department of Health Professions. It is designed to encourage lifelong physical well-being and provides opportunities for leadership and collaboration.

These courses offer students the opportunity to experience various forms of lifetime physical and recreation activities. These activities emphasize one or more of the different components of physical fitness: cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, coordination, skill acquisition and weight loss. These serve as a foundation for a healthy, physically active lifestyle and inform effective choices concerning the value and place of lifetime physical activity.  

Sport Coaching

This is an integrative program that includes coursework in Biology, Health Science, and Physical Education and prepares students for careers in coaching, including skills in coaching methodology, team management, and coach-player interaction.

Physical Education Program

Physical Education Courses

PHED 108 Community First Aid and Safety1 cr
Provides instruction in basic first aid and CPR for the adult, child and infant. Red Cross certification is provided upon successful completion.
Attributes: Additional Fees Apply (FEE)  
PHED 113 Fundamentals of Beginning Badminton1 cr
Provides the opportunity to learn skills and strategy of racket sports, specifically badminton.
PHED 120 Emergency Medical Response1 cr
Provides instruction in professional rescuer CPR, AED, and first aid for the adult, child, and infant. American Red Cross certification is provided upon successful completion.
Attributes: Additional Fees Apply (FEE)  
PHED 125 Fundamentals of Golf1 cr
Introduces students to the game of golf. Provides basic instruction in a good golf swing and the following: putting, chipping, iron and wood shots.
PHED 132 Fitness for Life1 cr
Provides instruction in the components of physical fitness: flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and cardiovascular endurance. Stress management and nutrition are also discussed.
PHED 146 Self Defense for Women1 cr
Focuses on awareness and avoidance of a possible attack. Students will learn to punch and kick properly along with basic self defense hands techniques. This is a beginner's course in self-defense.
Attributes: Women Gender Sexuality Studies (WMST)  
PHED 147 Fundamentals of Yoga1 cr
Teaches the basic Hatha Yoga postures, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.
PHED 150 Special Topics in Physical Education1-2 cr
Introduces students to a variety of physical education activities. Activities vary according to teaching staff and student needs.
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits  
PHED 160 Strength and Conditioning1 cr
Designed for students to learn and practice techniques of conditioning as it relates to sport. Testing and training techniques for strength, power, speed, endurance, flexibility and agility will be emphasized.
PHED 200 Exercise Injury Prevention and Care3 cr
Explores fundamental principles of exercise safety, injury risk management and emergency care. Involves the study of orthopedic injury, environmental illness, eating disorder and concussion. Certification of CPR/AED and first aid for the adult, child and infant is provided upon completion of the course. Extra course fee required.
Attributes: Additional Fees Apply (FEE)  
PHED 215 Lifetime Wellness3 cr
Helps students develop a set of health behaviors that constitute what is generally considered to be a high energy lifestyle. These behaviors stress responsibility for one's health. Areas covered are physical fitness, nutrition and weight control, stress management, substance abuse, sexually transmitted disease and chronic disease.
Attributes: Core Health and Wellness (CHW)  
PHED 300 Fundamentals of Coaching3 cr
Facilitates an understanding of sport coaching based on fundamental principles that appropriately guide coaching behaviors. Involves the study and professional development of aspects related to sport coaching, including but limited to: leadership, sportsmanship, legal aspects, ethics, psychosocial aspects, interscholastic rules, organization and administrative aspects.
Prerequisite: Sophomore status  
PHED 395 Special Topics in Physical Education1-3 cr
Explores a specific aspect related to physical education, athletics, coaching or sports medicine. Content identifiable by subtitle.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits  
PHED 500 Independent Study1-3 cr
Open to juniors and seniors who wish to study a topic in depth. Written reports and frequent conferences with the advisor are required.
Prerequisite: Junior/senior status, department approval  
Repeatable: Maximum of 12 credits  
PHED 540 Internship in Sport Coaching3 cr
Provides hands-on experience in the field of sports coaching. Students will utilize acquired knowledge, skills and abilities in various aspects of coaching in a sports-related environment. Requires 135 on-site hours. Graded on Pass/Fail basis.
Prerequisite: PHED 200, PHED 300, department approval  
Repeatable: Maximum of 15 credits