The dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science has agreed to temporarily suspend admission to the Bachelor of Physical and Health Education Program following a recommendation from the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies. The announcement was made at Faculty Board Friday afternoon.

The decision was made in accordance with Queen’s Senate’s Recommended Procedures Concerning the Temporary Suspension of Admissions to Academic Programs. According to the procedure, the dean will advise the Senate of her decision at the March 22 meeting.

“After consultation with a range of stakeholders, I have decided to suspend temporarily new admissions to the Physical and Health Education Program, which will allow us time for a thorough review of the program including additional consultation,” says Susan Mumm, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science. “We are fully committed to the students in the Physical and Health Education Program and to ensuring that current and future students at Queen's University are not negatively impacted by this decision.”

Changes in higher education and the health industry have resulted in a general trend away from physical education programs, with declining interest in the prospective student pool across Canada and the limited teaching pool available due to a decrease in PhD programs in the field. Additionally, many universities are no longer accepting physical education as a “teachable” subject in teacher education programs.

The temporary suspension will become effective in September 2017. Faculty and staff in the program and within the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies will not be adversely affected by this decision and the students currently in the Physical and Health Education Program will be able to complete their studies as intended.  

Incoming students will be able to retain many of the program’s course offerings despite the temporary suspension, through the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies. For further information, visit the page that has been created by the Faculty of Arts and Science related to this decision.