A total of 33 graduate credit hours beyond a bachelor's degree are needed in order to complete the program. In 1980, the State of Michigan established criteria for an Approval for Teachers of Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities and guidelines were finalized in 1981. The guidelines are published in the Revised Administrative Rules for Special Education Services and Programs. The M.A. in Health, Physical Education and Recreation with an Emphasis in Sports Studies is designed to provide 30 graduate credit hours of classroom and field experiences enabling the student to develop a sound professional philosophy. This program will also allow the student to acquire research skills and increase professional competencies pertinent to career goals in the coaching and athletic profession.
Graduates also pursue advanced degrees in exercise physiology and biomechanics.
Research is strongly emphasized in this Masters degree program. Students are required to complete either a Masters thesis or an independent research project. The program is supported by a state of the art laboratory facility. Coursework stresses the acquisition of management and supervisory skills. The M.A. in Health, Physical Education and Recreation with an Emphasis in Pedagogy is designed for those individuals who wish to improve and expand their professional teaching skills, acquire self-assessment skills and develop supervision competencies.