Thesis versus Non-Thesis

Career Opportunities

• School physical education teacher
• School health education teacher
• Collegiate athletics/coaching
• Community physical education instructor
• Community health educator
• Community prevention specialist
• Curriculum consultant

 

Both graduate programs in HPPE end with a culminating activity -- either an oral defense of thesis or a written comprehensive exam. Students may choose either option depending on their ultimate academic or career goals.

• The thesis option challenges those individuals who wish to contribute to the knowledge base f the field through research, wherein both theoretical and applied research is emphasized.
• The non-thesis option is designed for those individuals whose major objective in graduate study is to enhance their professional background in physical education or health education.

In order to be eligible for their oral defense or for their written comprehensive exam, students must have completed all required graduate courses with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher. 

For more information on both options, please consult the Graduate Catalog or contact Deborah Wuest, Program Chair and Associate Professor.