Physical Education Diploma

The diploma in Physical Education is a two-year diploma that delivers a broad-based introduction in the areas of kinesiology. Students are introduced to the broad discipline of kinesiology and begin to build their knowledge in sub-disciplines like anatomy, physiology, motor learning, growth and development, nutrition, psychology, exercise prescription and teaching strategies. Students also acquire skills and teaching experience in a minimum of five activity courses. The diploma provides students an exit after their first two years of study if they decide that they do not want to pursue a degree. The diploma provides evidence that the student has completed two years of university study in a variety of core areas within the discipline. When combined with specialized certifications, diploma graduates are employable in areas of health and fitness, community sport, and physical activity programs for youth and adults.

Students must complete 60 semester-credit-hours of coursework with a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.0 (“C”) to be eligible for the diploma. Students who have been awarded advanced credit standing must complete a minimum of 30 semester-credit-hours at VIU, with a Grade Point Average of 2.0 (“C”).

Physical Education Diploma Requirements

Lower-Level Kinesiology Courses Requirement (27 credits)

  • KIN 201 - Human Anatomy (3 credits)
  • KIN 202 - Dynamics of Motor Skills Acquisition (3 credits)
  • KIN 203 - Instructional Strategies for Sport and Physical Education (3 credits)
  • KIN 220 - Human Physiology (3 credits)
  • KIN 232 - Exercise Prescription (3 credits)
  • KIN 253 - Introduction to Nutrition (3 credits)
  • KIN 262 - Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 credits)
  • KIN 280 - Physical Growth and Motor Development (3 credits)
  • KIN 291 - Introduction to Kinesiology (3 credits)
     
  • It is recommended that Kinesiology students enroll in KIN 201 and KIN 291 in their first year if possible.

Kinesiology Activity Courses Requirement (5 Activity Courses required)

  • All Physical Education Diploma students are required to enroll in a minimum of 5 KIN Activity courses in addition to the required KIN 203 – Instructional Strategies for Sport and Physical Education course.

  • All Kinesiology activity courses are numbered in the 100 range.  Each 100-level activity course is a 2-credit course.  

  • In addition to the 100-level activity courses, Kinesiology offers three 200-level courses (KIN 222, KIN 270, KIN 285) that also count towards the 5 activity course requirement.
     
  • It is recommended that Physical Education Diploma students enroll in KIN 203 in their first year and enroll in as many activity courses that they can in the first and second year.

English Requirement (6 credits)

  • All students in undergraduate degree programs at VIU are required to complete the Degree English Requirement.

  • ENGL 204 is not accepted for the Degree English Requirement by the Kinesiology department, but could be used as an elective course.

Elective Courses

  • In addition to the requirements listed above, students are required to take elective courses to meet the diploma requirement of 60 credits. This means that most students will be completing up to 18 elective credits over and above their Kinesiology and English requirements during their first two years. Elective courses can include Kinesiology elective courses or a variety of courses from other programs.