DEPARTMENT OF
PHYSICAL EDUCATION

      Physical  Education  and    sports      have always played an important role in  Kasetsart  University.    Their  development  at  every university level coincides with the founding of  K.U. for over  60 years.

      K.U. was the first university where teach    Physical Education to students of all faculty. At first, students of all faculties participated in learning together. Their activities emphasis on calisthenics.

      In 1967, K.U. realized an importance of Physical Education in both scientific and artistic area. Then, decided to upgrade its status to department and it was finally moved under the Faculty of Science and Arts. Since that time its educational role within the faculty has been standardized.

       In 1969 K.U. established the Faculty of Education. The Board of Education considered that the Physical Education Department should
be placed under the Faculty of Education because it would be good for both organization according to the subject characteristics, and the ability to produce effective and flexible physical education  instructors to many institutes.

         The Physical Education Department was placed under the Faculty of Education according  to the agreement of the Board of Education on October 1, 1970.

      The Physical Education Department was unique because it was established  before the Faculty of Education.  After that it was  still responsible for teaching all students in other faculties or supplementary teaching which was a kind of servicing duty, academic development, and administrative work until today.

      At present, the main duty and work of the Physical   Education   Department   is    the responsibility of carry out university policies. Its responsibilities are administration the respective curricular to many levels besides other activities, as follows:

1. Undergraduate Program (5 years)
         1.1 Bachelor o Education in Physical Education

          1.2 Bachelor of Education in Health Education
     There are three student selection procedures
      -  Entrance examination executed by Ministry of Education
      -  The scholarship promotion program for students in district high school.
      -  The young outstanding athletes.

2.  Graduate Certificate (Sports Coaching)    A student who obtained a Bachelor degree will be selected to one year program.

3.  Master Program
          3.1 Master of Art in Physical Education
          3.2 Master of Art in Physical Education (Special Program)
          3.3  Master of Science in Health Education
          3.4  Master of Science in Health Education (Special Program)
          3.5  Master of Science in Recreation

4.  Doctorate Program
Doctorate Program in Physical Education
     Other duties of the department are implementing along the university policies, such as:

5.  It is responsible of teaching all students according to the general education subject of every faculties

6. Study, to carry   out  research and   produce textbooks, documents, to be distributed to relevant offices both inside and outside the university including the general public.

7.  Set up various academic seminar

8.  Do useful   things and     develop the communities by sending staffs and students to help the organizations that ask for both academic and practical cooperation such as sports coaching, referees, sports officers, and volunteer for upcountry.

      Student who graduated from the Physical Education Department can succeed in studying and performing various kinds of jobs because the curriculum puts emphasis on not only major subjects but also the free elective ones. Advisors suggest what the students should study, which suit their abilities and future employment prospects, placing control and emphasis on practice relevant and taking part in student activities to their future employment while the students are studying to add their knowledge and skill. Students are limited to 150 practical experience hours besides study hours in class included join at least 15 student activities (100 hour units) in order to complete their
education Results of the survey found that students who graduated from the  Physical Education Department  can do any other careers, e.g.,

- Private business               -  Personal clerks                   
- Computer programmer     -  Sport coaches
-  Soldiers and police          -  Training officers
-  Mass media officers         -  Company clerks
-  Recreation leaders           -  Secretaries
-  Stewards, Airhostesses   -  Bank clerks
-  Health center leaders
-  State enterprise officers   -  Public relations representatives        
   
    Success in their careers is not the result of  an ability to study but depend on how their personalities develop and improve during their years as students. All of these are qualities of elite persons from the Physical Education Department, Faculty of Education, Kasetsart University.