Adapted Physical Education
Sharpen your skills and discover new ways of guiding students with disabilities through movement education, physical activities and toward a healthier lifestyle.
Why Earn an Advanced Certificate in Adapted Physical Education?
Leading students with disabilities in achievement-based physical education opens doors to learning, increased physical activity and healthful habits for a richer life. An advanced certificate in Adapted Physical Education will give you the tools for assessing movement abilities, modifying activities and planning programs for appropriate physical education instruction. You’ll learn how to ensure inclusion in instruction and important skills for intervention and student negotiation in specialized school and community programs. An advanced certificate will make you an expert in helping students with disabilities realize their potential.
Why Choose Adelphi University in New York for Your Advanced Certificate in Adapted Physical Education?
- Night classes and flexible schedules fit around your working schedule.
- Working directly with children with disabilities gives you valuable and practical experience.
- Small class sizes and dedicated advisers ensure you’ll get the attention you deserve.
Advanced Certificate in Adapted Physical Education Program
Adelphi’s 15-credit advanced certificate in Adapted Physical Education program prepares educators who have already completed a master’s degree to teach pre-K–12 adapted physical education. Students in the program engage in coursework tailored to give them the knowledge and skills to recognize characteristics, assess behavior and plan and modify classes in order to give instruction that meets the needs of all students with disabilities.
As an elementary and middle school physical education teacher, I am faced with a variety of learners with many abilities and disabilities. This program not only educated me on specific disabilities and how to best support these individuals, but most importantly taught me empathy toward all.
Exceptional Hands-On Learning
Adelphi students benefit from internships and opportunities to gain real-world experience in the New York area:
- Camp Abilities Long Island: Teaching sports and activities to children who are blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind
- Cross Island YMCA, Bellerose, New York
- Internships in public schools (both elementary and secondary settings
- L.I. Ninjitsu Centers Third Eye Insight: Inclusive for those who are blind and visually impaired
- Long Island Bombers: Beep Baseball team practices
- Nassau County Victory Challenge, Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged
- NYC Special Schools, District 75
- Practicum at Henry Viscardi School
- Rosemary Kennedy School, Nassau County BOCES
Career Outcomes
Our graduates have found rewarding employment in many area schools, including:
- Adapted physical education (APE) teacher, James E. Allen Junior/Senior High School, Western-Suffolk BOCES
- Elementary physical education and APE teacher, New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District
- Physical education and APE teacher, Hillcrest High School, Queens
- Physical education and APE teacher, JHS 194 William H. Carr, Queens
- Physical education teacher, The Charles A. Dorsey Community School P.S. 67, Brooklyn
- Physical education teacher, Emolior Academy, a middle school in the Bronx, and adjunct professor in Physical education at Suffolk County Community College
- Physical education teacher, Great Neck School District
- Physical education teacher, Oyster Bay High School
- Physical education teacher, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy
Program Info
Application Requirements
Your application to this graduate certificate program must include the following materials:
- Graduate application and $60 fee
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal essay
- Official transcripts from all prior institutions and proof of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
- Résumé (preferred)
Frequently Asked Questions About a Master’s Degree in Adapted Physical Education
A graduate certificate in adapted physical education leads to or advances a rewarding career working with students with disabilities in schools, community centers and rehabilitation facilities. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge in the best practices for designing, implementing and evaluating programs for individuals with a wide range of disabilities. On top of that, you’ll know that you’re contributing to building awareness and habits in students that lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
You will be able to complete the advanced certificate in three semesters. Each semester, you do a “deep dive” into a different disability type and learn how to modify movement education specifically for that disability type.
You need to be either in an Adelphi masters’ degree program or have already completed your master’s degree program to enroll in this advanced certificate in Adapted Physical Education. See our full list of master’s degree options or specifically our master’s degree in Adapted Physical Education.
Yes, this advanced certification program provides you with a foundation of knowledge and helps you meet the requirements needed to qualify for the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) exam supported by the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID) to achieve Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE) national certification.
Awards & Recognition
