The Adapted Physical Education minor is open to all students who are interested in physical education programming for students with mild through severe/profound disabilities from preschool through 21 years. Consistent with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Content Guidelines, this program will develop students’ proficiency in the nature of the student with a disability, including motor development, assessment, and program evaluation as well as foundations in the special education profession.

Students will develop proficiency in the modification of content, instructional strategies and learning environments in adapted physical education, including activity selection, curricular development and program implementation that promote physical activity and fitness for students with disabilities. Students will get hands-on experience working with students with disabilities while develop and modifying aquatic and lifetime sport and physical activities.

Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Exercise Science Department is to prepare, educate, and empower students in their individual journeys toward becoming critical practitioners skilled at evaluating, deconstructing, and addressing the problems and issues central to the narrower topic of sport, as well as the broader issue of physical activity across the lifespan. By blending scholarly study and professional practice, department faculty create learning opportunities and experiences that nurture students’ exploration of the physical, psychological, social-humanistic, and professional aspects of physical activity, and their associated impact on health, society, and quality of life.

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Faculty

Coles, Rick

Professor of Exercise Science, Associate Head Coach of Football

Followay, Brittany

Associate Professor of Exercise Science, Chair of Exercise Science, Graduate Program Director

Advising

Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.

As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers.

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Requirements

Requirements for a Minor in Adapted Physical Education
Total Credits 20 credits
Core Courses EXS 340 Adapted Physical Education, 352 Psychological Aspects of Physical Activity, 353 Sociological Aspects of Physical Activity and 426 Motor Learning.
Elective Courses Choose 4 elective credits from:
EXS 381 Advanced Concepts of Strength and Conditioning, 432 Biomechanics, 450/452, PSC 234 Infant Development, PSC 235 Child Development, PSC 242 Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood, or PSC 313 Social Psychology.

Other credits as approved by the department chair.

Career Tracks

Beyond teaching adapted physical education in schools, students of any major can use this minor after graduation to work with individuals with disabilities at any level, including Special Olympics, Paralympics, local recreational programming, and Badger State Games.

Unique Opportunities

  • Through the Departments of Educational Studies and Exercise Science, certification in physical education and health is available.
  • Exercise science students have completed adapted physical education practicums at various facilities, including the Willmore Center, Ripon Area School District and Markesan School District
  • Valuable job experience in adapted physical education is a recommended part of the K-12 physical education teacher education program as PE teachers often teach Health and APE in schools.