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About The Program

School of Education

Physical Education

At NSU, coursework within the major falls into three categories:

Physical education methodology
General teacher preparation
Exercise science

Physical education methodology courses train prospective teachers to promote physical literacy and are specific to the gymnasium.

Teacher preparation and physical education methods coursework, which are required for teacher licensure, prepare you for Praxis content exams and application for teacher licensure in South Dakota.

Students who graduate from this program will also have the strong science background necessary to be an exceptional physical educator, including coursework in anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and motor behavior.

Careers

This major prepares you to teach physical education in a K-12 setting, but also translates well to employment opportunities outside of education, such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, fitness centers, and recreation programs. NSU teacher candidates have a 95 percent career placement rate after graduation.

Here, you’ll receive assistance with career planning from their academic advisor and other HPE faculty.

For more information on careers in your major or help choosing a major, contact the NSU Career Center.

Internships

Physical education majors complete a semester of student teaching before graduation. We'll work closely with you and our connections to find internships and field experiences suitable to your interests.

Scholarships

School of Education scholarships are available to incoming freshmen and upperclassmen. For details, please email Jennifer Hieb or call 605-626-2417.

Education Scholarships

NSU Scholarships

Course Requirements

Physical Education (BSEd) Course Requirements

Physical Education Minor Course Requirements

Plans of Study

Physical Education (BSEd) Plan of Study

Our Faculty

Chad Gerber

Department

School of Education

Health and Physical Education

Programs

Human Performance and Fitness

Physical Education

Sport Marketing and Administration

Ph.D., The Ohio State University

M.S., University of Northern Colorado

B.S., University of Kansas

Research Interests

College sport

Relationship between athletics and academics on college campus

Sport psychology

Sport marketing

Lori Bruns

Department

School of Education

Health and Physical Education

Programs

Human Performance and Fitness

Physical Education

Sport Marketing and Administration

Sport Performance and Leadership (Graduate)

Educational Studies (Graduate)

Ms. Lori Bruns

Instructor of Health and Physical Education

M.S., North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D.

B.S., Dakota State University, Madison, S.D.

Curriculum Vitae

Ms. Lori Bruns joined NSU's faculty in 2012. She received a Master of Science degree in health, nutrition, and exercise science with a concentration in exercise science in 2009 from North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., for which her thesis was "An Examination of the Changes in Flexibility and Core Strength after a Five-Week Pilates Class." She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from Dakota State University, Madison, S.D.In other activities at NSU, Ms. Bruns is advisor of PAWS Club (Physical Activity for Wellness Students) and cheer coach.

Research Interests

Physical Activity and Fitness in Youth

Physiology of Strength and Endurance Training in Women

Increasing Physical Activity in the General Public

Dietary Habits of College Freshmen

Motor Learning in Sport

Publications

Froemke C., McNichols L., Beutler A., Bruns L., Tande D. (2010). Caffeinated Energy Drinks: Potential Benefits and Health Risks. SCAN'S Pulse, 29: 1-5.

Bruns, L. (2010). Cerebral Palsy and Strength Training: Beneficial or Not?

Christensen, B., Bruns, L., & Stastny, S. (2012). Improved flexibility and core strength in four different levels of acute Pilates. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 44 (suppl 5), S708. (Abstract)

Thomas Orr

Department

School of Education

Health and Physical Education

Programs

Human Performance and Fitness

Physical Education

Sport Marketing and Administration

Sport Performance and Leadership (Graduate)

Educational Studies (Graduate)

Ph.D., Indiana University

M.S., Indiana University

B.A., University of North Dakota

Dr. Thomas Orr joined Northern State University's faculty in 2011. He is the professor for sport marketing and administration and head of the NSU Health and Physical Education Department. He previously was a visiting professor for Indiana University and research associate for the Center for Sport Policy & Conduct.

Dr. Orr has had extensive experience as a player, official, supervisor, coach and sport administrator in numerous sports. He was assistant intramural director for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athletic department, where he also completed a B.A. in history with minors in recreation and leisure services, economics, and athletic coaching.

As an athlete, Dr. Orr competed in the Canadian junior hockey leagues before playing college hockey for the Hoosiers. After playing several seasons for Indiana, he joined the coaching staff as an assistant coach and helped lead the team to a national title game. After being selected as a coach for the ACHA Division 1 All Star game in his second season as head coach and fifth season coaching for the cream and crimson, Dr. Orr joined NSU as a tenure track professor. He also coaches the youth teams of his four children.

Dr. Orr is a director for Pro Ambitions hockey and leads several Midwest youth camps for the Boston Bruins. He also coached for two high school hockey teams; the 26-time N.D. state champion Grand Forks Central Knights, and as volunteer coach for the Bloomington Blades high school team. He has also spent six consecutive summers working as a correctional officer in the North Dakota State Penitentiary, where he observed a wide variety of violence, often relating to inmates' leisure time. Dr. Orr's publication list is highlighted by his 2009 textbook Sport and Violence; A Critical Examination of Sport, published by Elsevier in London. He has several academic articles published and is completing an event-planning textbook, to be published by Cognella. He has been a returning guest on Huffpost Live and has provided many other media outlets with sport expertise.

Research Interests

Sport violence

Social psychology of sport

Leadership

Government policy

Sport law and criminology

Coaching ethics

Youth development

Ice hockey

Excellence and performance

Sport management and marketing

Selected Publications