Physical Education Degrees in Utah
When you decide to start a career in education, it’s important to choose the right area of specialized study. This means selecting a field that is relevant to your unique skills, that you feel passionately about, and that you are willing to study extensively.
If you pride yourself on your physical health and you want to help today’s students learn the principles of a healthy lifestyle, you may be interested in learning how to become a PE teacher.
Role of Educators with a Physical Education Degree in Utah
Curious about what it takes to become a teacher and work with Utah students?
Get in touch with local schools to get more information on licensure requirements.
The field of physical education has changed significantly in the last decade, so the physical education of today may be very different from what you remember from your school years. To learn more about the goals of physical education in Utah and the role of physical educators, consider getting involved with other teachers in this field.
The Utah Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance empowers physical educators to reach students. This group works with SHAPE America to help educators promote healthy lifestyle choices, gain access to peer-reviewed research, and follow sound professional practice standards.
Education is a meaningful field in which you can have a positive impact on your community. To learn more about your physical education degree options, reach out to Utah teacher training programs today.
Getting Your Physical Education Degree in Utah
The first step to succeeding in a teacher education program is making sure that you choose the right degree for your current education and experience. If you are a new student and you do not yet have a Bachelor’s degree, the answer to this question is simple. You need a Bachelor’s degree in physical education from an accredited college or university.
In a Bachelor’s degree program, you can look forward to getting a strong, multifaceted education that covers core academic subjects, teaching techniques and pedagogy, and practical classroom experience. When all is said and done, you complete at least 120 credits in general education, teaching education, and physical education.
When you start your teaching courses, you should have the chance to work with students in a local elementary, middle, or high school. The earlier you start getting teaching experience, the more you are able to build practical teaching skills and get comfortable in a classroom setting.
Physical Education Teacher Degrees: UT Courses
- Dance in the Elementary School
- Motor Learning and Control
- Exercise Physiology
- Fitness for Secondary Physical Educators
- Elementary Motor Skill Analysis and Performance
- Team Sports for the Physical Educator
- Foundations of Physical Education
- Physical Education Pedagogy
- Assessment in Physical Education
- Special Populations in Physical Education
The most extensive training experience you get comes in the form of a student teaching internship. For one full semester, you combine everything you have learned and test your ability to put it all together in a local school.
By observing an experienced physical education teacher, getting feedback from them, and spending lots of time with the same students each week, you can transition from undergraduate student to licensed teacher. If you complete your student teaching at a school that is currently hiring, your student teaching performance may help you secure employment before you graduate. However, this is based heavily on the feedback you get from administrators and licensed teachers, so it is crucial to make a good impression.
In Utah, all teachers have to pursue certification via the Utah State Office of Education. When you are a new graduate, you apply for Level 1 Educator certification. This requires a passing score on the Praxis II Physical Education Content Knowledge test.
Working with a Physical Education Degree in Utah
Utah has seen a significant increase in job openings for teachers. This may benefit you, whether you want to teach elementary school or high school. Between 2014 and 2024, demand for elementary school teachers and secondary school teachers is expected to swell 21% in Utah (O*Net, 2016).
Salaries tend to be fairly similar across the board. The average annual income for an elementary school teacher is $53,730 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average income of $53,640 per year for secondary school teachers (2016).
The sooner you complete your training and become licensed, the more quickly you can have a positive impact on Utah students in your school district. If you’re ready to learn how to become a gym teacher, check out the list of Utah schools below.
Compare your options and request information from programs that catch your eye.
