Physical and Health Education Degree Program and Career Education

Physical education classes are usually mandatory for children in elementary school, and often for children in middle and high school. Often referred to as PE or gym class, these classes engage students in team sports, individual sports, swimming, dance, calisthenics, aerobics, or other physical activities. PE teaches children how to develop motor skills, how to work as a team, and how to balance academics with sports and recreation. In addition, students learn the rules and strategies involved in various sports and games.

Health education (which is mandatory in 40 states) teaches students about a variety of health-related issues, including emotional, sexual, and mental health, nutrition, and medicine. It informs students about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use; teaches them about sexually transmitted diseases and safe sex; and promotes emotional health and a positive self-image. Health education includes topics as varied as weight control, disaster preparedness, communicable diseases, and the beneficial effects of exercise.

Physical education and health teachers should be enthusiastic about health and fitness. They should enjoy working with children and be good leaders. They should also be motivating, tolerant, friendly, patient, organized, have great communication and listening skills, and be in good physical shape themselves, to serve as a good example of their area of expertise.

Education, Training and Degrees in Physical and Health Education

Physical education teachers usually must complete a bachelor's degree in health and physical education in order to qualify for teaching positions. Health teachers working in public schools must have at least a four-year (bachelor's) degree, preferably in health and physical education, must have completed an approved teacher-training program, and must be licensed. Some states additionally require a graduate degree in health studies. Health teachers in private schools are not necessarily required to meet these standards.

Coaches of elementary and secondary school sports are often also schoolteachers, so they must have a college degree. (See the section on K-12 Instruction to read the requirements for obtaining a teaching degree and credential.) Coaches in public schools who are not teachers must become state-certified, though coaches at private schools may not need this certification. Coaches of college or university teams usually have master's degrees, and sometimes even Ph.D.'s, in subjects as wide ranging as physical education, sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, sports medicine, or a similar field.

Find more information about online degrees, certificates, and diplomas in Education.

Explore Career Opportunities in Physical and Health Education

Several different career opportunities are available for those individuals interested in a career in physical and/or health education. Below are a few of the most common choices.

Physical Education Teacher
Physical education teachers, also known as PE or gym teachers, teach students the rules and motor skills necessary to participate in individual and team sports. PE teachers at elementary schools usually teach half-hour classes to various groups of students throughout the day, while teachers at secondary schools might teach fewer but longer classes. PE teachers might also be assigned to teach health classes in addition to their physical fitness classes.

Health Teacher
Health teachers teach students about various mental, physical, emotional, and sexual health issues in a classroom setting. They provide information and lead discussions on topics such as nutrition, safe sex, tobacco use, drug and alcohol abuse, and medicine. They plan lessons, administer and grade tests, maintain classroom discipline, and meet with parents and other school staff. They may also teach physical fitness classes.

Athletics Coach
Coaches in elementary and secondary schools teach students the basic rules of team sports, as well as proper form and techniques. They run practice sessions and manage the team during competitions or games with other teams. They devise strategies to win, call plays during games, and motivate the players. Coaches at the university level may also travel to scout and recruit new players. While coaches at the elementary and secondary school level may also teach other classes, university coaches usually coach as their full-time job.

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