Most school districts in Minnesota now require physical education teachers to have licensure in Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE) to obtain or retain their teaching positions. In addition to DAPE licensure to teach students with disabilities, a DAPE minor makes prospective teachers better equipped to teach students of all abilities in general physical education classes. Applicant for DAPE licensure must be a Physical Education Teacher Education major as DAPE licensure is an add–on license to the K–12 physical education teaching license. Students in related disciplines who foresee teaching students and individuals with disabilities may pursue the DAPE minor; however, pursuant to Minnesota teacher licensure requirements, only physical education majors can be granted the DAPE teaching license. Prospective teachers will be eligible for DAPE licensure in the State of Minnesota when all competencies have been met. DAPE minor/licensure requirements are as follows:
Descriptions of courses listed below are available on the Undergraduate Bulletins page.
Admission to Minor is granted by the department concurrent with or following admission to physical education teaching major. Minimum department admissions requirements are:
All courses in minor must be taken for grade with the exception of HP 493 (Internship in DAPE), which may be taken the semester prior to or concurrently with student teaching. If student is has a double major in Physical Education Teaching and Health Education, HP 493 should be taken the semester prior to student teaching. Placement for DAPE internship is made through Clinical and Field Experiences office in the College of Education. Cooperating Teachers for HP 493 must be a licensed DAPE teacher. To receive DAPE licensure, student must pass Praxis II exam in Special Education: Core Knowledge.
