Academic Program

Adapted Physical Education

Department of Physical education : We challenge human limits as the platform for elite sports

Department Slogan

“The mecca of Korea's adapted physical education in the 21st century!”

Department Introduction

Korea National Sport University’s Department of Adapted Physical Education was established in 1998, the department is the only department within the university to provide teacher’s licenses (Special Education + Physical Education) acquisition. On February 25, 2000, the department received approval for teachers training courses by the Ministry of Education, and starting new students from 1999, 30% of admission quota has conferred level 2 special education teacher’s certificates. Moreover, since September 2001, the department was transformed into a field of education, beginning with all new students from 2002 received level 2 special education teacher’s certificates; in 2012, middle and high school Physical Education double majoring became feasible, enabling new students from 2011 to acquire up to 2 teacher’s certificates. 

As of 2022, there are 5,255 classes within 192 special schools and 27,979 students attending, and there are 9,056 adapted physical education classes within general school and 57,948 students attending in Korea. As education conditions and support policy improve for those in need of special education, the number of special schools and classes are expected to increase in the future. Most of the students in special schools and classes not only shows differences in mental, physical, and emotional side but also shows difference in their behavior. When teaching these students, it is effective to guide them with an understanding individual’s general characteristics and physical strength. Especially, physical education is an essential subject for people with disabilities to achieve better social interaction and self-assurance, hence it should be taught by instructors who specialize in adapted physical education. However, physical education classes in current special schools (classes) are taught by teachers who are not specifically trained in special physical education, meaning that most classes fail to meet the criteria for proper physical education teaching.  Therefore, the Department of Adapted Physical Education aims to foster special education teachers who can provide exceptional physical education in special schools or classes; simultaneously, we aim to foster general physical education teachers who can consider the diversity of physical activity for each individual student.

Careers after Graduation

Graduates will be able to work as special education teacher (special school and special classe), middle and high school teacher (general middle and high school), Organizations related to people with disability (e.g. Korea Paralympic Committee), adaptive sports instructor, professor, governmental agency researcher and more.

Certification

Certificate Level II (Physical Education) for Special Education teacher (middle and High school), certificate Level II (Physical Education) for middle and high school teacher, Sport Instructor Certification for the Disabled, Sports for All Instructor Certification, Sport Game Instructor Certification, Referee Certification for Sports for the Disabled (boccia, lawn ball, goal ball, etc.) and more.

Key Subjects

Special Education, Physical Education Theory for the Visually Impaired, Physical Education Theory for the Hearing Impaired, Physical Education Theory for the Mentally Retarded, Physical Education Theory for the Physically Disabled, Physical Education Theory for the Emotionally and Behaviorally Impaired, Physical Education Theory for the Learning Disabled, Sports Theories for the Disabled, Physical Programs for the Disabled, Sports for the Disabled, Sports for the Mentally Disabled, and Sport for the Visually and Hearing Impaired, and other subjects required to obtain teacher certification.