Physical Education & Sport Sciences Department
The Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences aims to prepare specialists to work in physical education (PE) and sports fields in the Sultanate of Oman. The department provides two programs: Bachelor of Physical Education and Masters of Sports Sciences. The below highlights brief information about these two programs:
1- Bachelor of Physical Education Program:
This program was established in 1990. Since then, it has contributed to the preparation of hundreds of male and female graduates, most of them employed as PE teachers in public schools in the country. The department was continuously keen to evaluate and enhance the program until it gained a distinguished reputation at the local and regional levels. Currently, the program follows the international quality standards guided by the Society for Health & Physical Education's (SHAPE) standards that are approved by the Council for Accreditation of Educators Preparation (CAEP).
According to the latest modified study plan, which is endorsed in the 2019/2020 academic year, the student must study 127 credit hours over 10 semesters, including the first two semesters designated for the foundation program.
In general, the program's curricula are intended to offer students an integrated theoretical and practical background by providing a wide variety of fundamental subjects related to physical education and sports. The academic topics include the following courses: Descriptive and Functional Anatomy, Kinesiology, Physiology, Sports and Health, Sports Training Science, Physique Education, Tests and Measurements in Physical Education, History of Physical Education, Motor Learning, and Organization and Management in Physical Education. The practical subjects that aim to raise the level of physical fitness and motor skills proficiencies besides providing students with technical methods that enable them to teach various teams and individuals sports, which are Football, Handball, Basketball, and Volleyball, in addition to Physical Exercises and Gymnastics, Swimming, Athletics, and Racket sports.
In addition to the above mentioned departmental requirements courses, other departments in the College of Education also have a vital role in preparing PE students, namely the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Educational Foundation and Administration, and the Department of Instructional and Learning Technology, all of which cover relevant courses such as Introduction to education, Teaching methods, Learners' Growth and Guidance, Educational Psychology, Learners with Disability, Technology for Learning … etc. in addition to Practicum Teaching which requires students to train as a pre-service teachers in assigned public schools for one whole semester after fulfilling all program requirements.
2. Master of Sports Sciences Program:
This program was established in 2012. It offers two tracks: Physical and Health Conditioning; and Sports Management and Supervision. The student enrolled in the program is currently required to study 24 credit hours (8 courses), where he or she can submit the thesis proposal after completing 12 credit hours, whereby the thesis itself weighs 6 credit hours.
It is noteworthy that the department is working on providing the option to opt for courses as alternative to the thesis. The program is offered in two plans: full-time (two-year study period) or part-time (three-year study period).
Vision:
The Department of Physical Education & Sports Sciences seeks to achieve academic and research excellence and provide high-quality community services that come as a response to the rapid local and global changes.
Mission:
Work towards activating the strategic plan to improve the educational process and achieve excellence in all areas of physical education specialization. That can be accomplished in light of the scientific research and principles of the sport sciences in order to improve the level of health and sport achievement to meet the requirements of the modern society.
Department objectives:
The department seeks to achieve the following objectives:
- Providing candidates with theoretical knowledge and analytical, practical, and transformative skills, enabling them to contribute efficiently to various sports sectors (educational, recreational, and competitive) at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Prepare qualified candidates who can compete professionally at high-level standards.
- Prepare competent candidates capable of scientific research in physical education and sports sciences, focusing on issues related to Omani society.
- Prepare leaders in the areas of sports supervision and management.
- Enhance the Omani society's awareness of the importance of physical education and sports activities in contemporary life.
- Strengthen partnerships with local and international bodies and institutions that are related to physical education sports sciences