Athletic Training | Elementary Education | Physical Education and Coaching | Secondary Education | Special Education Endorsement | Sport/Fitness Management

Elementary Education; Secondary Education (Content Major); Exercise Science and Coaching; Athletic Training; Sport/Fitness:
The School of Education and Exercise Science at Buena Vista University offers programs that provide the opportunity to combine career preparation with academic enrichment and personal growth. Teacher education students at BVU take a “core” of courses designed to direct them toward becoming effective, licensed elementary or secondary classroom teachers. Buena Vista University is committed to developing quality teacher education graduates within the conceptual framework of the New American College orientation, the teacher as reflective practitioner theme and the principles developed by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC). In addition, the BVU teacher education program adheres to the guidelines developed by the professional associations in education and the Iowa Department of Education.

Elementary Education:
Students pursuing the elementary education major confirm their interest in teaching students in kindergarten through sixth grade. They complete a “core” of education courses, methods courses and field experiences which prepare them for licensure. BVU students may increase employment potential and add dimension to the elementary education major by adding teacher licensure endorsements in Special Education (Instructional Strategist I), Reading, Teaching English as a Second Language or Coaching Authorization.

Secondary Education (Content Major):
The secondary education major requires a content major in a certifiable teaching area. Buena Vista University offers over 20 academic areas, such as English, Spanish, history, science, mathematics, music, art, etc., from which students may choose their content major. These courses are taken in the school that offers the major, and the “core” education courses, methods courses and field experiences are taken in the School of Education and Exercise Science.

Exercise Science and Coaching K-6 and 7-12:
As an exercise science major at Buena Vista University, a student may choose an emphasis in physical education and coaching which allows for licensure to teach K-6 and 7-12 physical education and to coach at all grade levels. Many students combine health education with this exercise science major to increase their employment potential.

Field experiences are the key to completing an education degree at BVU. Through practical application, students learn how to combine the theory of the classroom with the professional practice experienced in the working world. Teacher education students participate in a minimum of four field experiences tailored to their major:

• Directed Observation is the initial field experience. It relates actual classroom experiences to concepts taught and is taken early in the education program to help the student decide if teaching is the most suitable personal career choice. This field experience is met via a minimum of 15 contact hours in a classroom setting.
• Supervised Participation is a clinical experience of at least 80 contact hours. Students serve as full-time associates with one or more classroom teachers. This experience allows one to put educational theory into practice. A second supervised participation experience in an appropriate special education setting is also required.
• Field Experience/Methods is an opportunity to integrate the most current teaching methods, strategies and educational models with real classroom practice. University classroom guidance and support encourage students to reflect on what has been seen and tried. This experience consists of a minimum of 10 contact hours.
• Student Teaching is designed to be the culminating experience in teacher education and provides the opportunity to actually teach in the classroom setting for an entire semester. BVU students teach at elementary and secondary schools in the area. This experience provides the opportunity to incorporate what has been learned with the student teaching experience and to demonstrate skills as a beginning teacher. Standard classroom and special education student teaching experiences are provided.

Athletic Training
Athletic training is an allied healthcare profession dedicated to prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of injuries in physically active people. Athletic trainers work with physicians and other members of the sports medicine team to help injured athletes return safely to their sports. Certification by the Board of Certification is the entry-level credential needed to practice athletic training. Some states also require athletic trainers to be licensed. The mission of Buena Vista University’s program is to prepare professionals for careers in sports medicine as certified athletic trainers.

The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is a four year academic and three year clinical program seeking Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The Athletic Training Educational Program maintains candidacy. The athletic training major provides students with a thorough knowledge of the prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Upon completion of the ATEP, students are eligible to sit for the BOC Certification Exam.

Students interested in the ATEP should contact Buena Vista University’s Athletic Training Program Director to seek early course advising due to the sequential nature of the coursework and to obtain information on admission criteria. Only upon formal admission into the ATEP can students begin clinical rotation as early as their sophomore year. Admission to the ATEP is competitive and limited. Enrollment is dictated by clinical availability.

The athletic training major has two components: academic and clinical experience. See the University catalog for course requirements.

For more information visit the Athletic Training site.

Sport/Fitness Management:
Buena Vista University also offers an emphasis in sport/fitness management to the student majoring in exercise science. This emphasis is for the student who wants a career in administration of sport and fitness programs. It combines the concepts of health promotion and basic business principles.

Students majoring in Physical Education and Coaching take the education core courses. The Sport/Fitness Management major incorporates several business courses into its program.