NMSUAPE

Faculty

Scott J. Pedersen, Ph.D., CAPE Assistant Professor Director, NMSUAPE Program Human Performance, Dance, & Recreation Department New Mexico State University P.O. Box 30001 MSC-3M Las Cruces, NM 88003 E-mail:          pedersen@nmsu.edu Webpage:       http://education.nmsu.edu/nmsuape

 

Dr. Pedersen received his Ph.D. in Human Performance from Indiana University in 2003. Arriving in Las Cruces that same year he began the New Mexico State University Adapted Physical Education (NMSUAPE) program. This program, based on the Adapted Physical Education National Standards, will lead students to becoming nationally certified adapted physical educators. New Mexico State University students now have the opportunity to learn about the field of adapted physical education through a variety of experiences: traditional lecture, distance education, and numerous practicum opportunities for participating in physical activity programs with local community members with disabilities. In fact, gradate students can earn a minor in adapted physical education by completing three out of four graduate level courses offered by the Human Performance, Dance, & Recreation Department.

 

Dr. Pedersen's passion is to provide individuals with disabilities community-based opportunities to participate in lifetime physical activity. Since arriving in Las Cruces, New Mexico I have established the following campus activities to help achieve my vision:

 

1. NMSUAPE Disability Sport Night - a “Disability Sports Only” open gym for local community members to play/learn various professional sports such as Goalball, Sit Volleyball, and Wheelchair Basketball.

2. NMSUAPE Walk-n-Roll Tennis League - an all-inclusive, lifetime physical activity program that highlights developmentally appropriate tennis games and activities for players of all abilities.

3. Lions Survivor Camp - a week long, overnight summer camp for Deaf/Hard of Hearing children that highlights a variety of lifetime recreational activities such as horseback riding, bowling, dance, and rock climbing. This camp is made possible by the Las Cruces Sunrise Lions Club and other members of the southern New Mexico community.

 

The newest edition to the NMSUAPE program, made available by New Mexico State University’s College of Extended Learning, is an online graduate course titled:

PEP 558 Adapted Physical Education National Standards Professional Preparation

Now adapted physical educators from all over the world can prepare online for the APENS exam!