Online Physical & Health Education Degree Programs

With obesity and heart disease on the rise, physical and health education is more important than ever. P.E. and health instructors can make a real difference in the lives of students and the general public. A degree in physical and health education offers comprehensive career training to K-12 teachers, instructors, school and private league coaches, personal trainers, and anyone else committed to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.

Physical and health education degrees are available at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree level, both on campus and online. Online courses in physical education are a good way to prepare for specific concentrations within the field, such as certain sports, exercise techniques, or particular physical education jobs. Many physical education degree programs use online courses to supplement on-campus programs, allowing students more flexibility in earning their degrees.

Bachelor of Science in Physical Education

The four-year degree prepares students for entry-level teaching and coaching positions and includes courses in general education--liberal arts and sciences--as well as specialized training in physical and health education. Sample course titles include:

• Health & PE Theory
• Intercollegiate Sports Coaching
• First Aid and CPR Training
• Kinesiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Teaching Physical and Health Education in Elementary Schools
• Measurement and Evaluation in P.E. Programs

Sports-specific courses may include:

• Racquet Sports
• Physical Fitness
• Gymnastics
• Aquatic Fitness
• Aerobic Fitness
• Team Sports

A bachelor's degree is the standard qualification for P.E. and health education teachers at the K-12 level. In addition, aspiring teachers must seek state licensure by completing a teacher training program and passing an exam. Some states require that teachers pursue a master's degree within the first few years of teaching in order to maintain their license.

Master's Degree in Physical & Health Education

This advanced degree offers a stepping stone to more advanced teaching and coaching positions. Graduates also qualify for specialist careers such as athletic program director. The master's degree program allows students to specialize in a particular area of physical and health education, such as sports psychology and stress management, child health education, kinesiology and biomechanics, exercise physiology, physical activity epidemiology, physical fitness assessment, adapted physical education, and more. Master's degree students also learn research methodology, in preparation for completing an independent capstone project or thesis.

PhD in Physical & Health Education

This highest degree leads to careers such as athletics program director, researcher, and health education professor. The focus of the program is a supervised research project, and courses focus on research methodology and quantitative analysis. In addition, the curriculum includes career training in leadership, program assessment and evaluation, and other courses relevant to high-level administrative roles in physical and health education.

Working in Physical Education

Job outlooks and salaries vary among physical and health education specialties. K-12 teachers face moderate demand, with a 12 percent increase in jobs expected through 2016. 2007 average salaries ranged from $50,040 for elementary school teachers to $52,450 at the high school level. Coaches earned an average salary of $34,720 during the same period.

As national attention turns to public health education, new opportunities for qualified physical and health teachers and trainers should develop.

• Education