Students in California State University's adapted physical activity program complete the program in the Center of Achievement Through Adapted Physical Activity, which has been helping disabled people for over 40 years. Students and staff use therapy pools and more traditional land exercises to help patients. Students take classes and participate in the care of patients and other aspects of the center. Students also participate in research taking place at the center and network through workshops. The adapted physical activity major consists of 18 units of required courses, including Research Methods and Design and Quantitative Analysis. Six units come from two courses selected from a list, and the final six units are received earned through writing a thesis. An additional 12 units are required from a list of electives.
The Bloomington campus of Indiana University offers students seeking a master of science in kinesiology an emphasis in adapted physical education. This program trains students to help people with disabilities to function more effectively. Thirty-six credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation from this program. Three of those credit hours require students to pass either the National APENS exam or a comprehensive exam. Students are also encouraged to participate in practical experiences, such as observing adaptive physical activity classes, supervising and evaluating undergraduates taking part in practical experiences and working with disabled students' parents.
Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, offers students a master of science degree in adapted physical activity. Students must have an undergraduate degree in an area such as physical education, exercise science, special education or athletic training. The program includes classes that help students learn to use exercise to help those with disabilities live fuller lives. The program requires 30 credit hours of classes, but no thesis. A six-hour internship must also be completed after completion of the classes. Internships are available with NASA in Florida, the Lakeshore Foundation in Alabama and the Special Olympics. In addition to the coursework, students get hands-on experience at the Center on Disability and Health on campus.
A master of arts in physical education with an emphasis on adapted physical education is available at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. Its 36-unit course is designed to prepare students to work with children with disabilities in a school setting. Students who have already attained a master's degree in physical education can take only the specialization credits, which total 18 to 21. Students must have a college grade point average of at least 3.0 and must write a paper detailing their plan of study by the time they complete the first 12 credits. Students who have no prior experience with disabled children must work with their adviser to set up field experience opportunities.