Physical Education Colleges and Courses
A physical education degree may be offered at a variety of four-year universities. Get information on the courses and degree programs and see how earning a certification can help you advance in this field.
What You Need to Know
Physical education degree programs are widely available at colleges and universities in the U.S. A bachelor's degree is the most common among aspiring physical education teachers, coaches and other fitness-related professionals.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b> Courses </b> </td><td> Educational theory, training practices, kinesiology, fitness principles</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b> Colleges </b> </td><td> Four-year colleges</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b> Online </b> </td><td> Programs are available online at the master's degree level</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhichUndergraduateDegreeProgramsAreAvailableInPhysicalEducation">Which Undergraduate Degree Programs Are Available in Physical Education?</h3><p>Your choice of a degree program will vary depending on whether you want to work with children in a school setting, with adults or with sports teams. If you want to teach physical education in a public school, you typically need a bachelor's degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Some schools may offer a bachelor's degree in education and allow you to determine which grade levels you will teach. An Associate of Science in Physical Education includes coursework in areas like emergencies, personal and community health and adventure activities. A Bachelor of Science in Physical Education might have required courses in topics like critical health issues, human sexuality and the family and health counseling.
</p><h3 id="section---WhichGraduateCoursesAreAvailable">Which Graduate Courses Are Available?</h3><p>Graduate courses in physical education might include emphasis tracks in areas like K-12 Teacher Certification, Adapted Physical Activity and Athletic Coaching. A four-week summer residency might be required. Thesis and non-thesis options also exist. Coursework may include issues in school and public health, literature in health, fitness and sport and motor learning skills. Additional course topics include:
</p><ul><li>Risk management in physical education
</li><li>Sport skill assessment
</li><li>Sport psychology
</li><li>Supervision in physical education
</li><li>Principles of movement and performance
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhichCollegesOfferCoursesInPhysicalEducation">Which Colleges Offer Courses in Physical Education?</h3><p>Many four-year universities offer courses in physical education. Students might also have the option of taking their degree program online. Additionally, many schools offer concentrations or specialized tracks for degree completion. Students will have plenty of choices for coursework that tailors to their learning requirements. These colleges offer courses in physical education:
</p><ul><li>Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA)
</li><li>University of Arkansas (Fayetteville)
</li><li>Alabama State University (Montgomery)
</li><li>The State University of New York (Watertown)
</li><li>Kent State University (OH)</li></ul>