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Physical Education Degrees in South Carolina

Although technology has improved education and life in general in many ways, it has also had some unintended side effects. Today, children in America spend far less time moving and playing than kids did even one decade ago. As this trend has become more widespread, health problems have arisen.

Children have more difficulty focusing, are more likely to have weight problems, and have an increased risk of future health issues. One of the solutions is strengthening physical education.

As a physical education teacher in South Carolina, you can help reverse this trend and teach kids the importance of regular physical activity.

Role of Educators with a Physical Education Degree in South Carolina

If you’ve ever wondered how to become a PE teacher, this is the time to learn more. Education is at a turning point in the United States, and gym teachers are a big part of it.

Compare degree options below and get in touch with local schools.

Throughout your education and career, it’s important to take advantage of the professional resources that come your way. These may include fellow students, instructors, and experienced physical education professionals.

You may also want to join the South Carolina Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.  This group works with SHAPE America to improve fitness levels throughout the state of South Carolina. Members can further their career through networking events, advocacy, continuing education, and leadership opportunities.

With a PE degree, you can get the experience and knowledge you need to motivate and empower your students.

Get started now by requesting information from South Carolina teacher training programs.

Getting Your Physical Education Degree in South Carolina

The first step to becoming a successful teacher is figuring out which degree choice is right for you. For most students, this is a Bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s in physical education prepares students for licensure, offers a comprehensive background in educational psychology and physical education techniques, and gives you plenty of experience in local schools.

At minimum, a Bachelor’s degree program must have 120 credits, but many South Carolina schools require slightly more. As you earn your degree, you aim to meet the learning outcomes of your chosen school. You may develop a strong understanding of human movement, build your knowledge of motor and sports skills, and establish best teaching practices in your field.

The courses required in your program should directly contribute to your improvement in these areas.

Physical Education Courses

  • Teaching Lifetime Fitness
  • Assessment and Technology in Physical Education
  • Elementary School Physical Education Pedagogy
  • Motor Behavior
  • Personal and Community Health
  • Lifetime Fitness and Physical Activity
  • Elementary School PE Pedagogy
  • Middle School PE Pedagogy
  • High School PE Pedagogy
  • Curriculum and Administration
  • History and Philosophy of PE
  • Internship in Student Teaching

In the field of physical education, you become licensed to teach all grades. For that reason, you must be just as confident working with preschoolers as you are working with high school students. You may get experience with all grade levels throughout your degree, since many schools want to expose teaching students to different environments.

The more experience you get, the more effectively you can tailor your skills and techniques to the specific needs of a class. Your final assessment comes in your last semester. Under the guidance of an experienced gym teacher, you spend a full semester working as a student teacher. This means working 40 hours or more per week, developing meaningful connections with students, and leading classes.

With PE teacher degrees, SC students should plan on spending hundreds of hours in local gym classes.

Once you have your degree in hand, you can go to the South Carolina Department of Education to apply for your teaching license. They require all applicants to pass the Praxis II Physical Education Content Knowledge exam prior to certification.

Working with a Physical Education Degree in South Carolina

Your teaching experience and career path may depend on the unique needs of your school district. In large districts, many schools have their own physical education department, which means that you may teach students in a small age range. Rural districts tend to have less funding, so physical education teachers often have to teach at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

The outlook is bright for teachers in South Carolina. By 2024, job openings for elementary school teachers may increase 7% (O*Net, 2016). Statewide demand for secondary school teachers may see a 6% boost between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2016).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average income of $49,250 per year for South Carolina elementary school teachers (2016). Secondary school teachers in this state bring in an average of $51,590 per year (BLS, 2016).

Now that you know more about getting licensed in this field and the benefits of physical education, it’s time to make your move.

Contact South Carolina schools below to find the physical education degree thats right for you.