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What Does a Career in Health and Physical Education Entail?
While you might imagine a career in physical education-health (PE) to be all about exercising with kids, there is a lot more involved. Teachers in all states must hold a four-year bachelor's education degree and often must hold or be working on their master's education degree or at least earning continuing education credits in order to maintain their license, and those who teach physical education, health and fitness or physical fitness, and health promotion are no different. A health-physical education degree combines academics in teaching, leadership, health, fitness, athletics, a variety of recreation activities, the science of motion and the positive impact it has on the body are quite rigorous as they help current students develop a thorough understanding of all course content and prepare graduates to work as school faculty or staff as a health-physical education teacher after the successful completion of their college education.
Because you'll be working with children as well as interacting with parents and other instructors, you'll need excellent interpersonal skills. In addition, you'll need to be adept at scheduling, report writing, and record-keeping in order to meet the standard requirements of assessing and grading possibly hundreds of children in your health-physical education or health and fitness classes, whether they are at the elementary, middle school, or high school level.
Components of a Successful Career in Health and Physical Education
To enter the field of physical education-health, you should first check the requirements for the state in which you plan to teach so that you can be sure your college program for physical education majors will meet the state standards for testing and provide you opportunities for a position as a physical education teacher. This will help you stay on course and be prepared to complete student teaching at local schools with licensed faculty members, test, and pursue careers as a physical educator as soon as possible. You can request this information from your state board of education or look it up on their website.
Although a four-year education and degree is required for certification, you can likely enter the field as a teaching assistant with an associate degree or after completing the second year of your physical education-health and/or educator preparation bachelor's program. This should be a vital component of your education plan as most states have experience requirements, specifically student teaching, as part of the certification process.
Many teachers hold a master's degree, and some states require you to complete your graduate degree within a specific time frame of becoming certified and successful completion of your general teacher education. This means your long-term plan should include earning your master's degree in physical education-health to ensure you have both job security and flexibility.
Although teaching is a full-time job in itself, many of those who work as a physical education teacher also coach or referee various sports in addition to their teaching duties. These are paid positions and are equivalent to a part-time job in addition to your teaching position.
While teaching is the long-term goal of this degree, you will have other options for employment throughout your life once you graduate. Health and fitness trainers and instructors are employed by many corporations as well as in the private sector.
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How to Become a Health and Physical Education Techer
Typical Online Health and Physical Education Degree Requirements
An online associate physical education degree will require 60 credit hours, approximately half of which are the core requirements in English and mathematics. Your early science courses should reflect your major and be in biology and the kinetic science areas.
An online bachelor of science degree in health or physical education will require an additional 60 hours for a total of 120 hours in four years. You will take courses specific to the skills needed to teach as well as intensive coursework in the health and science groups.
An online master's degree usually requires an additional 40 college credits and will reflect your chosen special concentration, whether that's health and physical education degree or special education with a health focus. If you choose to continue your education and earn a doctorate you can expect it to take three to four years with a full-time class schedule.
Typical Health and Physical Education Certifications Needed
Each state sets its own standards for teacher education and certification, so it's important you are familiar with the requirements in your own state and don't skip any. For example, Ohio requires 100 hours experience and a 12-week internship as well as specific coursework in addition to a bachelor's degree before you can sit for the certification exam. North Carolina requires you to have completed a state approved teacher education program before you can test for an initial certification.
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Academic Standards for a Health and Physical Education Degree
Many states require you to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in order to be eligible to sit for the teaching certification exam. This is the same standard required by most master's degree programs, so you should plan to keep your grades high throughout your education.
Exam/Experience Needed for a Health and Physical Education Degree
As noted before, you must be licensed by the state you teach in, and part of the qualifying process usually includes experience in the classroom. In addition, you'll be required to periodically renew your certification and take continuing education courses throughout your career.
Top 5 Best Online Associate in Physical Education Programs
Seminole State College of Florida
Score: 83.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,227
- Out-of-State: $11,447
- Net Price: $3,144
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 14,323
- Undergrad Students: 14,323
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,100
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
Georgia State University
Score: 77.59
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,478
- Out-of-State: $23,709
- Net Price: $17,589
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 36,516
- Undergrad Students: 28,924
- Graduate Students: 7,592
- Grads Salary: $35,800
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
Western Oklahoma State College
Score: 76.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,446
- Out-of-State: $9,618
- Net Price: $7,981
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 1,338
- Undergrad Students: 1,338
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $36,500
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Score: 73.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,000
- Out-of-State: $5,000
- Net Price: $4,879
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 2,801
- Undergrad Students: 2,801
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $24,600
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Carl Albert State College
Score: 69.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,230
- Out-of-State: $8,707
- Net Price: $6,110
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 1,823
- Undergrad Students: 1,823
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $28,700
- Student-to-faculty: 25:1
Top 5 Best Online Bachelors in Physical Education Programs
Eastern New Mexico University
Score: 80.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,863
- Out-of-State: $8,843
- Net Price: $8,702
- Acceptance Rate: 28%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 5,106
- Undergrad Students: 3,833
- Graduate Students: 1,273
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
William Carey University
Score: 78.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,685
- Out-of-State: $14,685
- Net Price: $15,271
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 5,662
- Undergrad Students: 3,291
- Graduate Students: 2,371
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Kansas
Score: 75.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,700
- Out-of-State: $29,412
- Net Price: $18,950
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 26,708
- Undergrad Students: 19,241
- Graduate Students: 7,467
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Fort Hays State University
Score: 73.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,633
- Out-of-State: $16,811
- Net Price: $13,322
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 12,949
- Undergrad Students: 10,427
- Graduate Students: 2,522
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Score: 73.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,418
- Out-of-State: $24,146
- Net Price: $13,036
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 15,219
- Undergrad Students: 12,950
- Graduate Students: 2,269
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Top 25 Best Online Masters in Physical Education Programs
University of South Florida
Score: 85.05
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,350
- Out-of-State: $19,048
- Net Price: $11,004
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 49,600
- Undergrad Students: 38,047
- Graduate Students: 11,553
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Fresno Pacific University
Score: 79.17
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,140
- Out-of-State: $13,140
- Net Price: $15,255
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 3,032
- Undergrad Students: 1,744
- Graduate Students: 1,288
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
University of Houston
Score: 78.77
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,723
- Out-of-State: $18,083
- Net Price: $14,056
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 46,700
- Undergrad Students: 37,943
- Graduate Students: 8,757
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
West Virginia University
Score: 78.42
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,908
- Out-of-State: $28,260
- Net Price: $12,202
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 24,741
- Undergrad Students: 19,059
- Graduate Students: 5,682
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Wyoming
Score: 77.86
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,460
- Out-of-State: $19,340
- Net Price: $12,819
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 11,100
- Undergrad Students: 8,518
- Graduate Students: 2,582
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Northern Kentucky University
Score: 76.91
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,206
- Out-of-State: $15,660
- Net Price: $7,259
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 15,801
- Undergrad Students: 10,776
- Graduate Students: 5,025
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Arkansas
Score: 76.61
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,500
- Out-of-State: $28,560
- Net Price: $16,208
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 30,936
- Undergrad Students: 26,269
- Graduate Students: 4,667
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Score: 76.34
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,374
- Out-of-State: $29,760
- Net Price: $22,427
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 35,653
- Undergrad Students: 27,343
- Graduate Students: 8,310
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Mary
Score: 75.83
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,620
- Out-of-State: $10,620
- Net Price: $18,369
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,652
- Undergrad Students: 2,506
- Graduate Students: 1,146
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Tennessee Technological University
Score: 75.28
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,480
- Out-of-State: $19,420
- Net Price: $15,188
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 9,902
- Undergrad Students: 8,537
- Graduate Students: 1,365
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
East Carolina University
Score: 75.28
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,749
- Out-of-State: $17,898
- Net Price: $14,410
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 27,151
- Undergrad Students: 21,688
- Graduate Students: 5,463
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Score: 75.21
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,979
- Out-of-State: $20,155
- Net Price: $18,709
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 17,843
- Undergrad Students: 14,294
- Graduate Students: 3,549
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Eastern New Mexico University
Score: 74.74
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,454
- Out-of-State: $7,226
- Net Price: $8,702
- Acceptance Rate: 28%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 5,106
- Undergrad Students: 3,833
- Graduate Students: 1,273
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Canisius University
Score: 74.51
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,930
- Out-of-State: $15,930
- Net Price: $19,635
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 2,492
- Undergrad Students: 1,788
- Graduate Students: 704
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Chicago State University
Score: 73.99
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,282
- Out-of-State: $12,150
- Net Price: $6,446
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 28%
- Total Enrollment: 2,317
- Undergrad Students: 1,450
- Graduate Students: 867
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Score: 73.66
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,424
- Out-of-State: $20,556
- Net Price: $16,834
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 21,639
- Undergrad Students: 13,032
- Graduate Students: 8,607
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Calvin University
Score: 73.66
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,909
- Out-of-State: $10,909
- Net Price: $25,775
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 77%
- Total Enrollment: 3,231
- Undergrad Students: 2,960
- Graduate Students: 271
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Score: 73.47
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,948
- Out-of-State: $14,499
- Net Price: $8,105
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 31,559
- Undergrad Students: 26,434
- Graduate Students: 5,125
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Utah State University
Score: 72.88
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,763
- Out-of-State: $23,176
- Net Price: $14,577
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 27,943
- Undergrad Students: 24,835
- Graduate Students: 3,108
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Central Washington University
Score: 72.69
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,721
- Out-of-State: $25,092
- Net Price: $15,864
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 9,257
- Undergrad Students: 8,743
- Graduate Students: 514
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Jacksonville State University
Score: 72.63
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,128
- Out-of-State: $16,464
- Net Price: $11,953
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 9,632
- Undergrad Students: 8,310
- Graduate Students: 1,322
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of Central Missouri
Score: 72.61
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,544
- Out-of-State: $17,088
- Net Price: $15,117
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 11,637
- Undergrad Students: 7,345
- Graduate Students: 4,292
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Score: 72.61
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,550
- Out-of-State: $8,550
- Net Price: $17,776
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 5,544
- Undergrad Students: 3,071
- Graduate Students: 2,473
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Northwest Missouri State University
Score: 72.35
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,704
- Out-of-State: $6,704
- Net Price: $14,197
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 8,505
- Undergrad Students: 5,308
- Graduate Students: 3,197
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Northern Iowa
Score: 71.95
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,030
- Out-of-State: $21,502
- Net Price: $15,782
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 8,945
- Undergrad Students: 7,735
- Graduate Students: 1,210
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn a Health and Physical Education bachelor's degree online?
If you're taking a full course load you can expect to graduate in four years, and if you have already earned your associate in health and physical education degree, it will take two years of full-time classes at your college or state university of choice. Keep in mind if you can only take half a class load it will take you twice as long to earn your physical education degree.
How much does an Online Health and Physical Education bachelor’s degree cost?
The cost of your degree will depend on where you live and whether you attend a public or a private school. The U.S. Department of Education reports a Bachelor degree to cost between $22,000 and $50,000. However, if you aren’t able to take a full course load each semester, it will take you longer to earn your degree. The longer you take, the more your degree can cost. Keep in mind that at least some of this cost may be covered by scholarships and grants.
Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?
Your primary concern should be whether the online degrees offered meet the state requirements for a major in education. If your school of choice doesn't have a specific major for health and physical education look at the curriculum of a different school to see if the required physical education courses are offered at your school of choice. This may give you a major in education and a minor in health and physical education.
How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?
This is important because it will give you an idea of how much student support is available. If a high percentage of students are graduating in five years instead of four it may indicate the school is more focused on enrollment instead of student success. A quality school will work to help students graduate on time and will use the fact as a recruiting tool for new students.
What kind of accreditation does the online program hold? How is it regarded in the field?
This is a vital point because accreditation is tied to state requirements for certification as well as federal aid and most scholarships and grants. Your school of choice should be regionally accredited, and you should verify this fact before enrolling. You’ll want to look for regional accreditation from one of the 6 regional accreditors within the US that are approved by the US Department of Education. You can find them listed on the DOE website. The other accreditation you want to look for is programmatic accreditation of the education department. This should be provided by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Professional Organizations
As soon as you begin your health and physical education program you should plan to join one or more organization dedicated to your field. Membership in professional associations will give you mentorship, reading and educational resources, access to seminars and conventions, and other valuable tools to help you with your teacher education degree and career.
NASPE
National Association for Sport and Physical Education
with over 15,000 members you'll find information on professionalism, physical education, physical activity, and technology issues relating to your profession.
NATA
National Athletic Trainers Association
dedicated to the athletic training profession on the national, district and local levels.
SHPE
Society of Health and Physical Educators
provides resources such as continuing education, webinars, seminars, and podcasts to help your professional development.
NEA
National Education Association
most popular organization for all types of public-school teachers, offers conferences as well as regional meetings and workshops.