What Are the Top Schools with Physical Education Programs?
See how to choose a top school offering physical education programs. Three good schools are discussed in detail below - including programs offered, areas of specialization, and career options after graduation.
What Are Some Characteristics of Top Schools for Physical Education?
Before selecting a school, you might want to consider the criteria recommended by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) or evaluations made by the National Academy of Kinesiology (NAK). Top schools may have special programs and research laboratories. These programs could lead to a career in public or private organizations or school settings.
<h2 id="section---WhatAreThreeTopPhysicalEducationSchools">What Are Three Top Physical Education Schools?</h2><h3 id="section---UniversityOfConnecticutInStorrsCT">University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT</h3><p>In 2019, UConn tied for 63rd among national universities in <i>U.S. News & World Report's</i> rankings (<i>www.usnews.com</i>). You'd have access to the Nayden Rehabilitation Clinic and the Korey Stringer Institute, which researches exertional heat stroke. The 7,800-square-foot Human Performance Laboratory facilitates research on physiology, metabolism, nutrition, strength training and cardiovascular disease risk factors. The following degrees are offered:
</p><ul><li>Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, or Strength and Conditioning
</li><li>Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
</li></ul><h3 id="section---UniversityOfMarylandInCollegeParkMD">University of Maryland in College Park, MD</h3><p>In <i>U.S. News & World Report's</i> 2019 evaluations, UMD tied for 63rd among national universities. Honors students can participate in faculty research.
</p><p>Kinesiology students prepare for physical therapy, sports professions and other activity-related careers. You could pursue the 13-month K-12 Physical Education Master's Certificate, leading to a M.Ed. and teaching certification. Master's and Ph.D. candidates can focus on exercise physiology, cognitive motor neuroscience or physical cultural studies, each supported by a faculty-led research laboratory. These programs are offered:
</p><ul><li>K-12 Physical Education Master's Certification
</li><li>B.S. in Kinesiology
</li><li>Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Physical Activity
</li><li>Master of Arts (M.A.) in Kinesiology
</li><li>Doctor of Philosophy( Ph.D.) in Kinesiology
</li></ul><h3 id="section---UniversityOfVirginiaInCharlottesvilleVA">University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA</h3><p>UVA ranked 25th among <i>U.S. News & World Report's</i> national universities for 2019. As a Curry School of Education kinesiology major, you could focus on sports medicine, exercise physiology or adapted physical education. You could earn both undergraduate and master's degrees in five years, with teaching certification. A condensed post-baccalaureate program for teaching certification is offered in addition to a master's program in teaching. You might complete a practicum with the UVA's Athletic Training Clinic, or benefit from resources of the Exercise and Sport Injury Laboratory.
</p><p>M.Ed. candidates choose among five kinesiology options, including exercise physiology, adapted physical education, pedagogy, athletic training and sports medicine. A special master's in kinesiology program prepares students to teach at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Ph.D. candidates can further pursue most master's level specializations. Youth-Nex, an interdisciplinary center for youth development, physical and health management issues, is one of several Curry research institutes. These degrees are possible:
</p><ul><li>Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) in Kinesiology
</li><li>Master of Teaching in Health and Physical Education
</li><li>B.S.Ed./M.T. in Kinesiology - Health and Physical Education
</li><li>Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Kinesiology
</li><li>Ph.D. in Education - Kinesiology
</li></ul><h2 id="section---TenSchoolsWithPhysicalEducationPrograms">Ten Schools with Physical Education Programs</h2><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th>College/University</th><th>Institution Type</th><th>Location</th><th>Estimated Graduate In-State Tuition*</th></tr>
<tr><td>Baylor University </td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td> Waco, TX</td><td>$34,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Eastern Michigan University </td><td> 4-year, Public </td><td> Ypsilanti, MI</td><td>$18,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>The Ohio State University </td><td> 4-year, Public </td><td> Columbus, OH</td><td>$12,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Miami University-Oxford </td><td> 4-year, Public </td><td> Oxford, OH</td><td>$14,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Purdue Global</td><td> 4-year, Public </td><td> West Lafayette, Indiana</td><td>$10,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Syracuse University</td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td> Syracuse, NY</td><td>$39,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Arkansas</td><td> 4-year, Public </td><td> Fayetteville, Arkansas</td><td>$9,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Louisville </td><td> 4-year, Public </td><td> Louisville, KY</td><td>$13,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Nevada-Las Vegas</td><td> 4-year, Public </td><td> Las Vegas, NV</td><td>$6,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Vermont</td><td> 4-year, Public</td><td> Burlington, VT</td><td>$13,000</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education</i></p>