Physical Education Teacher Programs

(found programs from 789 schools)

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Below is a directory (broken down by state) of all of the Physical Education Teacher programs we could find, from over 1,700 accredited colleges and universities across the US.

Introduction to Health & Physical Education Careers

According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), 16 percent of the nation's children are overweight and a growing number are developing diabetes and high blood pressure. Experts put the blame on two factors - poor nutritional habits and lack of physical activity. As a health and/or physical education teacher, you can play an important role in improving the health of our nation's children by giving them the skills and knowledge necessary to a lead a healthy lifestyle.

Health & Physical Education Job Description

Health and physical education are taught at all grade levels from kindergarten through high school. Health and physical education teachers typically teach five to six classes a day. At the elementary level, physical education programs serve as an introduction to various types of physical activity. The emphasis tends to be on coordination, teamwork and an appreciation for sports. At the secondary level, programs become more specialized and in-depth. For example, a physical education teacher at this level might teach a class in aerobics or rock climbing. Most physical education teachers also teach a health curriculum. This may include topics such as:

  • Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention
  • Nutrition education
  • Personal and community health and safety
  • Lifetime survival skills
  • Healthy lifestyle choices
  • First aid and CPR

Health and physical education teachers frequently are responsible for teaching sex education and human development classes. Many also work as coaches and athletic directors.

Health & Physical Education Requirements

To work as a health and/or physical education teacher in a public school, you will need at least a bachelor's degree in education with an endorsement in health/physical education from an accredited teacher preparation program. In addition to teaching methodology classes, health and physical education majors take classes in exercise physiology, kinesiology, health and wellness and activity courses like tennis, basketball, and aerobics. All 50 states require health and physical education teachers to be licensed. Exact requirements vary but most states require a student teaching internship and a passing score on a comprehensive exam such as the Praxis. Teaching health and physical education is a physically demanding job so candidates should be fit and healthy.

Health & Physical Education Career Outlook

A 2008 study on teacher supply and demand by the American Association for Employment in Education identified health and physical education as a specialty with some surplus of qualified candidates. This means teachers in this category may experience difficulty finding a job and may need to conduct wider job searches.

According to the American Federation of Teachers, a beginning teacher with a bachelor's degree earned an average of $33,227 in the 2005-2006 school year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that median annual wages of kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers ranged from $47,100 to $51,180 in 2008. Many health and physical education teachers boost their earnings by coaching sports.

Health & Physical Education Trends

Tough economic times are putting the squeeze on many schools' physical education budgets. In a survey conducted by NASPE and Polar USA, 36 percent of the K-12 physical education teachers polled said their annual budget had declined. 46 percent of respondents said their budget had stayed the same. Only 11 percent reported budget increases. Overall, 61 percent of physical education teachers report an annual budget of less than $1,000 - a figure the association called "alarming."

PE Teacher Education Online

Are you a physical education teacher looking to further your knowledge in the field at your own pace? Or are you a working professional who would like to make a career change into physical education but can't fit a traditional degree program into your work schedule?

If you fall into either category, an online physical education degree program may be right for you.

Most online physical education programs are offered at the graduate level, so it's best if you already hold an undergraduate degree. In addition to exploring various team sports and recreational activities, you can expect to take courses such as teaching methods in physical education, human growth and development, coaching theory, and assessment in physical education.

Course content is delivered over the Web and students typically can access classes at any time. Class discussions are held via regularly scheduled online chats.

Many online physical education degree programs indicate that they can be completed in two to two-and-a-half years. Some, such as the one offered by Canisius College, can be completed in as little as 15 months. Some components that indicate a high-quality online program include National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation and a student teaching practicum.

Online Physical Education Degrees to Consider:

If you're a professional educator interested in K-12 athletic administration, then you may want to consider Northcentral University's online Master of Education in sports management. This program includes courses such as facilities management, policy development and administration of athletic programs. It is especially suited to individuals already working as coaches in schools.

Do you already hold initial teaching licensure in physical education and would like to further your studies in the field? Canisius College in Buffalo has an NCATE-accredited online Master of Science in physical education degree for currently licensed teachers. The entire curriculum can be completed online.

The University of South Florida offers an online Master of Arts in physical education. It is NCATE-accredited and open to new and veteran teachers as well as career changers. All content is offered online so there is no need to step foot on campus.


Useful Resources


Featured Online Programs:


Northcentral University

Matching Program(s):
(for current teachers only)
EdD - Sports ManagementMaster of Education (MEd) Athletic Administration

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Are we missing any schools or programs? If so, please let us know! We appreciate your help in making this the best directory of Education Degree Programs on the web. You can send us an email at schools@educationdegree.com.