The State of Physical Education in Higher Education: Inclusion or Exclusion?

Limited opportunities are available for students with disabilities to participate in physical activity on college campuses, particularly for academic credit. Participation in physical activity improves overall health, increases life satisfaction, decreases depressive symptoms, and develops a positive self-identity. Using content analysis, the current study reviewed the online course catalogs of physical education classes offered in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC). Results indicated there are fewer than 50 physical education courses were offered specifically for students with disabilities indicating that administrators and faculty need to be more thoughtful and deliberate to create more opportunities for students with disabilities to participate in physical activity in higher education.