Dr. Steve Palmer
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I take one class at a time? Accordion Closed
You will likely take one – but up to two – classes each semester. The PEPC curriculum is comprised of eight-week courses. The PE courses do not overlap (e.g. PE 335 takes place during the first eight weeks of the fall semester, and PE 355 takes place the last eight weeks of the fall semester). The only exceptions are ESE 330 (Principles And Strategies For Teaching Adolescents With Exceptionalities) and BME 437 (Structured English Immersion Methods For Secondary School), as those courses may overlap with PE courses.
Does the PEPC qualify for financial aid? Accordion Closed
The PEPC does not qualify for financial aid as a stand-alone certificate. However, PEPC students may qualify for the Arizona Teachers Academy full-tuition waiver.
Do I need to have a contracted job teaching physical education in order to be admitted to the PEPC program? Accordion Closed
To be eligible for admission to the PEPC program, candidates must have a contracted physical education position. If you do not have a contracted physical education position, but a) have at least two years of prior contracted PE teaching experience or b) are interested in an online or residential physical education teacher certification program, please email Steve Palmer at steve.palmer@nau.edu for more information on PEPC admission.
Are the classes self-paced, or is there a professor providing instruction? Accordion Closed
Classes are asynchronous, which means that you would complete the work on your own time. However, faculty are available to assist you throughout the program.
Does the PEPC include a cohort with other students? Accordion Closed
This is a cohort-based program, so some discussions will require collaborating with your cohort.
Are there Zoom meetings? Accordion Closed
There are no Zoom meetings scheduled at this time, but depending on the cohort, that can be adjusted.
Are classes only offered during certain semesters? Accordion Closed
Yes, classes are only offered once per year. The required timeline is to start in summer and finish the program the following summer, or to spread the coursework out over two years. For more information, visit the Physical Education Path to Certification webpage, and click on the drop-down titled Semester course availability (subject to change).
If I earn the PEPC, would I still have to take the National Evaluation Series test? Accordion Closed
Yes. The PEPC falls under the “Alternative Teaching Certificate” program, which still requires the NES professional knowledge and NES physical education subject knowledge exam.
Which classes do I film videos and upload? Accordion Closed
PE 315, 335, 345 and 355
The State of Arizona does not accept certificates to get an endorsement in PE, but will accept 30 credit hours of PE to get the endorsement. If the PEPC is less than 30 hours, would I still be eligible for an endorsement in PE? Accordion Closed
The PEPC is a state-approved Alternative Teaching Certificate program, which would lead to a secondary certification in PE or a K-12 physical education certificate. The secondary certification PEPC coursework requires 27 credit hours, so you would need to take an additional 3 credits or already have 3 acceptable credits on your transcript in order to meet the 30 required credit hours. You can contact the state for more information.
Does NAU offer an online bachelor’s or master’s degree in PE with a student teaching component? Accordion Closed
We are in the process of requesting approval to offer the PE degree online. For additional information, contact Steve.Palmer@nau.edu.
Would this program allow me to be certified in PE in other states or just in the state of Arizona? If it only provides certification in Arizona, how much time would it take for me to be PE-certified in other states? Accordion Closed
This program only leads to certification in Arizona. However, Arizona has state credential reciprocity with most other states. You can contact the Department of Education in the state where you would like to teach in order to determine what else is needed for a teaching credential in that state. The reciprocity process is the same regardless of what content area you are certified in (e.g. physical education, math, social studies, etc.). It is rare for states to grant a certificate directly. Most likely, you would get a provisional license to teach with 3-5 years to satisfy any state-specific requirements.