Whether you are passionate about sports and fitness or love working with children, a Physical Education Degree can help you turn your natural talents into a fulfilling career. Many programs are designed for those wishing to become teachers in K-12 settings, though a bachelor’s or master’s program may also allow you to pursue other opportunities in health and fitness promotion, coaching, and recreation programming or training.
Depending on the program, courses can include specialized topics in athletic training and injury prevention, the structure of human tissues and organs, and methods for teaching physical education to students with different abilities. You may also be required to complete a set number of fieldwork hours, including student teaching in schools or with youth groups.
A bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology or a closely related field is a good choice for aspiring teachers who wish to work with young people in school environments. In addition to studying specialized topics in physics, chemistry, biology, and anatomy, you will need to take teacher education courses, usually with a focus on physical education.
A bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Physical Education or a master’s degree in Education and Teaching will give you the skills to earn state-level certification to teach physical education in grades pre-K through 12. Some colleges also offer specializations or endorsements in specific subjects, such as Health Education and Physical Education for Exceptional Learners. These programs teach you to develop health-related curricula that encourages adolescents and children, with a nonjudgmental approach, to engage in physical activity and healthy lifestyles.