2025-2026 Seminary & Graduate Catalog

Health and Physical Education (MEd)

Credential:  Master of Education (MEd)

Certification:  Students enrolled in the Certification Track are eligible for PA Instruction I Certification PreK-12 HPE (Pennsylvania Department of Education). Students who are emergency certified in Pennsylvania should contact the Program Director for information on the Intern Certification Program. Students who are emergency certified in Pennsylvania should contact the Program Director for information on the Intern Certification Program.*

Location: Online

Program Director: Angela Becker, EdD

Program Overview:  The Master of Education in Health and Physical Education program offers students with an earned bachelor’s degree the opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills as a professional in their field. The program has been designed to fulfill the professional competencies of The Pennsylvania Department of Education regarding Health and Physical Education programs that meet PA state requirements and the National Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE). This program offers a pathway to Pennsylvania teacher certification for individuals enrolled in the certification track. All coursework is offered in an online format which incorporates field placement opportunities within the student’s community. One semester (Student Teaching, 16 weeks) or one school year (Intern Certification Program) must be completed in person within the state of Pennsylvania, in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements.

Program Mission Statement: The MEd in Health and Physical Education is designed to equip graduate candidates with sound pedagogy that reflects a biblical worldview to work in both public and private educational settings in the content areas of Health, Physical Education, as well as community and ministry sport organizations. 

Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of current trends and technology in health, physical education, and sport.
2. Design appropriate health, physical education and sport teaching and assessment materials for all ages and abilities.
3. Integrate a biblical worldview in designing and teaching content in health, physical education, and sport.
4. Apply knowledge and competence in the delivery of content in health, physical education, and sport.
5. Incorporate practices of safety and equity in meeting the diverse needs of participants in the health, physical education, and sport setting.
6. Analyze the needs of participants and adapt instruction to meet specific needs.
7. Demonstrate professionalism in school and community settings.
8. Develop collaborative relationships with professionals in the field of health, physical education, and sport.

 

*Intern Certification Program: As part of the path towards certification, a student can enroll in the Intern Certification Program established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which is an alternative route to receiving certification through a “professional [intern] certificate that entitles the holder to fill a full-time professional teaching position” (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2025).   

Upon 1) completion of all program requirements and coursework, excluding EDU590, EDU591, HPE680, and HPE690, 2) passing required state certification tests, and 3) receiving the Intern Certificate from PDE, the student will be enrolled in the Intern Program at Lancaster Bible College. This allows the student to teach full-time while receiving monthly formal observations from a college supervisor instead of the traditional path of student teaching. After one school year with satisfactory ratings on all evaluations, the student will be recommended for Pennsylvania Instructional I Certification.

Curricular Structure and Degree Requirements

The MEd in Health and Physical Education has two tracks: Track #1 - MEd with NO Certification and Track #2 - MEd with Certification.

Track #1 - MEd with NO Certification - Curricular Structure Credits 
Biblical and Theological Foundations Course 
Education Core Courses 
HPE Core Courses  21 
HPE Track Courses  12 
 Program Total  45

 

Track #2 MEd with Certification - Curricular Structure  Credits 
Biblical and Theological Foundations Course
Education Core Courses 
HPE Core Courses  21 
HPE Track Courses  12 
HPE Certification Courses  12 
 Program Total 57 

Biblical & Theological Foundation Course (3 credits)

This chart outlines how prior college-level credits in Bible and theology, as represented on a transcript, apply to the Biblical and Theological Foundations course requirement.

29 or less credits of Bible and theology

BTC 503 Foundations for Integration

30 or more credit of Bible and theology

Requirement satisfied


Education Core Courses (9 credits)

EDU 519Foundations & Framework for Learning

3

EDU 523Theoretical Foundations of Development and Learning

3

EDU 550Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Education

3

 

HPE Core Courses (21 credits)

HPE 500Administration, Ethics, and the Law in Health, Physical Education and Sport

3

HPE 510Technology in Health, Physical Education, and Sport

3

HPE 520Adapting and Assessing Student Learning for Diverse Populations in HPE

3

HPE 540Advanced Methods and Motor Learning in Elementary Physical Education

3

HPE 550Advanced Methods in Secondary Physical Education

3

HPE 565Supervision, Evaluation and Development of Students and Teachers

3

HPE 580Collaborative Partnerships

3

 

HPE Track Courses (12 credits)

HPE 530Current Topics in Health Education, Physical Education, and Sport

3

HPE 560Advanced Methods in Health

3

HPE 680Research Design

3

HPE 690Research Project

3

 

Track #2 HPE Certification Courses (12 credits)

HPE 570Instruction and Assessment for the English Learner

3

EDU 590Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience

3

EDU 591Student Teaching

6

Note: If eligible for the Intern Certification Program, EDU591, and potentially EDU590, are not applicable and therefore decrease the credit total by 6 or 9.

Admission, Retention, and Graduation

Admission Requirements

Admission into a post-baccalaureate program is consistent with the general admissions policy and practice of LBC. Admission criteria is located in the Admissions Information section of the catalog. Graduate students with a GPA lower than 3.0 may be admitted to the program under provisional status with Program Coordinator approval. In provisional admittance status, the student must maintain a 3.0 in the first 12 credits of the program and take GWW500 Graduate Writing Workshop in order to be fully admitted into the program and take GWW500 Graduate Writing Workshop in order to be fully admitted into the program.

Specifically, for the HPE MEd program, students must show coursework in 1) Aquatics and 2) Anatomy & Physiology (or Kinesiology or Exercise Physiology).

Students wishing to take courses solely for personal enrichment or Act 48 credits are classified as non-degree students. Permission for enrollment in courses is based on completion of the Non-degree application and the adequacy of class space. If, at a later time, the student wishes to be admitted into the program, that student will need to go through the formal application process. Credit for courses taken while a non-degree student is not automatically applied to the degree program. The Program Coordinator will evaluate course work and count or not count credit on an individual basis.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credit is awarded in accordance with the general transfer policy in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. Transfer credits are reviewed and approved by the Program Director. This program has the following program specific transfer credit information.

 

Graduate Program Program Credits  # of Transfer Credits  Age of Transfer Credits  Min. Grade of Transfer Credits 
 Health & Physical Education (MEd) 45 or 57 cr. 15 graduate credits   No more than 10 years

Academic Advising

Students will be assigned a Global Student Success Coach to monitor student progress and to provide encouragement through their studies. Success Coaches are available for video conference and email meetings. Students will receive and have access to the Handbook for policies and procedures. Additionally, the handbook contains advisement sheets. The Program Director will monitor student progress each semester and alert the student and Success Coach regarding any deficiencies to be addressed and criteria not being met. Prior to field placement, the Program Director will audit the student’s file to ensure completion of necessary requirements for graduation and certification. 

Program Retention

Academic progress in this program is monitored after each term. The Academic Probation policy and Academic Dismissal policy found in this catalog are applied to all LBC | Capital students. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Eligibility to Enter Student Teaching

1. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0
2. Minimum grade of C+ in all courses
3. Renewed Child Abuse, Criminal Record, and Fingerprinting Clearances (within 6 months)
4. TB test (within 6 months)
5. Proof of Liability Insurance 
6. Completion of Aquatics Requirement
7. Completion of Anatomy and Physiology (Kinesiology or Exercise Physiology) Course Requirement
8. Completion of all graduate courses, excluding Action Research (HPE 680/HPE 690)
9. In good standing with Lancaster Bible College

Eligibility to Enter Intern Certificate Program

1. Employed full-time (permanent position or long-term substitute) in the area of certification within the state of Pennsylvania
2. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0
3. Minimum grade of C+ in all courses
4. Completion of Aquatics Requirement
5. Completion of Anatomy and Physiology (Kinesiology or Exercise Physiology) Course Requirement
6. Completion of all graduate courses, excluding Student Teaching (EDU 590/EDU 591) and Action Research (HPE 680/HPE 690)
7. Successful completion of the required certification tests (PRAXIS)
8. In good standing with Lancaster Bible College
9. Approved application in TIMS for Intern Certificate

Exit Criteria - Eligibility to be Recommended for Certification

1. Completion of all program requirements and field placement requirements. EDU 591 Student Teaching or Intern Program must be completed within the state of Pennsylvania in order to be eligible for Pennsylvania Teacher Certification.
2. A minimum of a satisfactory rating (1) in each of the 4 categories on the Pennsylvania Statewide Evaluation Form for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice (PDE 430). There must be 2 final forms. A minimum total of at least 4 points must be achieved on the final summative rating in order to be recommended for certification. The PDE 430 is completed by the college supervisor.
3. Successful completion of the required certification tests (PRAXIS)
4. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0
5. Minimum grade of C+ in all courses
6. Submitted application to TIMS for PA Teacher Certification
7. The recommendation of the LBC Certification Officer

 
 

Graduation Requirements

The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to receive a graduate degree or certificate:

Satisfactory completion of all course work
A minimum cumulative GPA for 3.0
A minimum grade of C+ in all courses
Fulfillment of all financial obligations
Adherence to biblical standards and ethics in living one’s lifestyle

 
Program Completion
The program must be completed in a maximum of five years. If a student wishes to temporarily withdraw from a program, the student must notify the Program Director in writing. If a student needs an extension to continue the program after the five years, a written request must be submitted to the advisor and Program Director.

Faculty

Program Director: Angela Becker, EdD

Dr. Angela Becker is currently an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the MEd and Post-Baccalaureate certification programs in Early Childhood Education and Health & Physical Education. Before coming to LBC, Dr. Becker taught kindergarten and second grade in York County, PA, followed by serving in Kenya as a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators as a Language and Education Consultant. Both experiences are a testament to God's faithfulness when we remain open-handed with a willing heart to follow His leading and have been instrumental in shaping her role within the Education Department as she seeks to be part of the exceptional team mentoring educators for the glory of God.

When not immersed in the world of higher education, Dr. Becker enjoys being with her husband and three children doing whatever fun activities they can explore together inside or outside of the house. They especially enjoy reading, baking, coloring/painting, going for walks and bike rides, swimming, playing at the playground, spending time with family/friends, and being outside as much as possible no matter the weather.

Education:

  EdD in Educational Psychology, Regent University
  MEd in Teaching and Curriculum, Penn State University
  BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Grove City College

 

Faculty:

Angela Becker, EdD
Tom Randolph, EdD
Gwen Shenk, MEd

Adjunct Faculty:

Mark Ashley
Brian Barnhart
Jeff Briggs
Chelsea Cook
Brian Hobbs
Heath Hooper
Scott Long
Jason Molloy
Wesley Smith