Franklin's physical education department's program is built upon a strong liberal arts base. We stress the importance of developing the thought process, problem-solving capabilities and oral and written communication skills. Franklin realizes that there are many fundamentals needed to prepare properly for a career in physical education, health, coaching, athletic training or recreation. The fundamentals are learned through a program that makes individuals sensitive to the value conflicts that they will face throughout their personal and professional lives. Within the physical education are two distinct options in which a student can develop his or her interest. Traditional teaching in public or private schools may be the direction for many students. At Franklin, a student can receive a K-12 teaching major in physical education and/or a secondary teaching minor in health and safety.

Franklin’s physical education program encompasses elementary (primary and intermediate), middle school/junior high, and high school settings and complies with all appropriate developmental IPSB standards. The physical education program is based on the content standards for teachers of physical education and health. 

Click here to learn about the professors

Departmental Highlights

The Franklin College teacher preparation programs prepare teachers for the many opportunities in education today and in the future. Graduates of the program are expected to demonstrate the qualities of competent, caring practitioners. Completion of the program allows all graduates to be recommended for teacher licensure by the state of Indiana. Indiana has reciprocity agreements with other states including Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Education courses begin in the freshman year, with field experiences beginning in the sophomore year. Field experiences are structured to provide candidates with progressively more teaching responsibility each semester, leading to student teaching. Field experiences cover a variety of grade levels and include diverse school settings as well as diverse ranges of student ability.

Franklin College is one of only 550 teacher education programs in the country that is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Indiana Professional Standards Board. The most recent Title II data showed that Franklin College graduates had a 100% summary pass-rate on all state-required licensure tests

Practical Experience

The Franklin College program in teacher education is known for its many opportunities for students to gain extensive practical experience. Future elementary and secondary teachers will experience over 1,100 hours in actual classroom time. This is accomplished through month-long January Winter Term internships, course-required field experiences, and student teaching.

In addition to field experience in a wide variety of local schools (both public and private), special partnerships exist with urban and diverse school districts for the purpose of better preparing teachers for multicultural settings. The Franklin College program also periodically offers internships in international/intercultural settings.

Opportunities

Franklin College teacher education graduates have an outstanding employment record immediately after graduation. The Education Department works together with the office of Career Services to achieve a high job placement rate. Individual counseling as well as workshops in résumé and portfolio building, career searching, and interviewing skills are provided for education students.

Franklin College participates annually with several central Indiana private colleges and universities in Teacher Candidate Interview Day, a time for Indiana and out-of-state school districts to interview new teachers.