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Online Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education
Online Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education
Learn more about degree options in physical education, and check the availability of online programs. Explore the typical curriculum in a physical education degree program. Review the employment outlook and salary potential for physical education teachers.
Can I Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education Online?
You typically cannot earn a bachelor's degree in physical education online. Instead, you can pursue this degree on a traditional college campus. However, if you want to continue your education at the graduate level, you can find a number of education-related master's degree programs in distance-learning formats, including physical education degree programs. Online graduate programs in physical education may require you to visit your school's campus occasionally during your tenure to do research, meet with thesis advisors or attend lectures.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td>Bachelor's programs are not available online, though students may be able to earn a master's degree online</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td>Athletic injury care, gymnastics, kinesiology, student assessment, sport science, physiology, strength training; student-teaching experiences typically required</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Admission Requirements</b></td><td>High school diploma, SAT or ACT scores; some schools may require a minimum GPA</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Possible Careers</b></td><td>Physical education teacher in an elementary, middle, or high school</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)*</b></td><td> 4% growth <i>(for kindergarten and elementary school teachers)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanILearn">What Can I Learn?</h3><p>Bachelor's degree programs in physical education combine training in exercise science, biology, nutrition and education. Many curricula also include general education requirements. This course of study may require you to complete student-teaching hours or shadow a physical education professional. The following are examples of classes you might find in the curriculum:
</p><ul><li>Elementary physical education
</li><li>Athletic injury care
</li><li>Gymnastics
</li><li>Technology integration
</li><li>Kinesiology
</li><li>Student assessment
</li><li>Anatomy
</li><li>Sport science
</li><li>Athletic coaching
</li><li>Physiology
</li><li>Strength training
</li></ul><h3 id="section---HowDoIGetAdmitted">How Do I Get Admitted?</h3><p>You need at least a high school diploma to be considered for admission into bachelor's degree programs in physical education. You can also expect to submit ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation, high school transcripts and a personal essay. Some schools may also enforce educational requirements; for example, you may need to have earned a minimum GPA or taken certain classes. Taking classes like biology, anatomy, communication and computer science could help you prepare for this course of study.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatJobsCanIGetWithThisDegree">What Jobs Can I Get with this Degree?</h3><p>As a graduate from a bachelor's degree program in physical education, you could be eligible for a job as a physical education teacher in elementary, middle or high schools. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $60,940, middle school teachers earned $60,810 and high school teachers earned $62,870 as of May 2020. (<i>www.bls.gov</i>).</p>
