Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.). Physical Education Department

Biography

While training in physical education at Northwestern University began as early as the 1880s coursework for undergraduates, largely exercise instruction, was required only after 1910. After 1919 this instruction was offered through the Department of Physical Education of the College of Liberal Arts. After course offerings in physical education grew progressively more varied, including theory in addition to physical training and exercise, the Department was incorporated into Northwestern's School of Education. Housed in this School physical education became a bona fide academic major, offered mainly for students interested in teaching careers. At the same time and through 1969/1970 physical training, in some form or another, remained a requirement generally for undergraduates in arts and sciences. The University phased out physical education as an academic major beginning in 1978. Students matriculating after June 1 of that year could not major or earn teaching certification in physical, health, or dance education.

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