The physical education program at the University of Central Missouri kicked off this semester by introducing two new options: adapted sport and sports and recreation.
Kenneth Bias, program coordinator of the physical education program, said both options are extensions of the physical education teacher education program.
“Adapted sport is generally for students looking to go on to a graduate degree in disabilities or looking to work in the Paralympics or Special Olympics,” Bias said. “The sports and recreation is for students who want to go into collegiate coaching, work in sport recreation centers, or help with youth programs.”
He said the program is trying to meet the needs of the physical education students who don’t want to be teachers.
“We have a lot of students who go on to be collegiate coaches,” Bias said “so having them go through the whole teaching program might not be as beneficial.”
He said high school students who visit campus have shown a lot of interest, as have the current physical education students.
Whitney Jones, senior in the new adapted sports option, said it’s a cool thing that the adapted sports options is brought to UCM as a new program.
“For me, I love sports and helping people,” Jones said. “ It’s pretty cool that I get to do that with kids who have a disability and be able to adapt to different programs to fit their needs so they don’t feel left out.”
She said the option is still pretty new to her since she discovered it towards the end of last semester, and she is figuring out what she can do with this major and what kind of groups she wants to work with.