Teaching - Physical Education

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's teaching - physical education bachelor's degree prepares you to become a certified physical educator from early childhood to adolescence (pre-K-12). Graduates of the major earn four licenses: a license to teach physical education, a license to teach health education, a license to teach adaptive physical education, and a license in coaching pre-K-12. 

Split into three modules, the program covers a variety of disciplines, ensuring you have the knowledge and expertise to teach multiple subjects related to health and physical education. The PE module focuses on planning, implementing and assessing various activities, including games, dance and sports. The adaptive physical education module teaches you how to tailor a physical education curriculum so that it is appropriate for children with disabilities and/or special needs. And the health module prepares you to teach subjects like nutrition and other health class topics.

Experiential learning and professional development are key focuses of the program. Capstone projects, practicums and student-teaching opportunities will help you to build your leadership skills, identify your preferred teaching style and discover how to best meet the needs of your learners. 

Graduates of UW-Eau Claire's teaching - physical education bachelor's degree program are highly sought after, largely due to the incredible preparation students have in all areas of physical education. Students leave UWEC empowered, inspired and ready to make a positive impact on the lives of others. 

Licensure information

Completion of teacher preparation programs at UW-Eau Claire meets licensure requirements in Wisconsin. Our programs may not meet requirements in other states. It is very important that individuals seeking licensure in another state obtain the most recent certification/licensure information directly from the state in which they seek employment. Find contact information on each state licensure office here.

Licensure requirements can change at any time. UW-Eau Claire’s Teacher Education Program Office ensures that our programs meet the requirements for licensure in Wisconsin. If you seek licensure in another state, be aware that their requirements could change at any time.

The United States Department of Education requires institutions to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure concerning whether each program meets state educational requirements for initial licensure or certification. Please note:

1. Obtaining a Wisconsin Teaching License PRIOR to applying for a teaching license in another state is usually helpful and strongly recommended.
2. "Meets requirements" means that a student is eligible for a license with stipulations, typically for 1-3 years, in that state. The stipulations are likely to be specific testing requirements and/or competency through a course or examination. In some instances, additional stipulations might be added.
3. Licensure grade levels vary from state to state. Students who are eligible for a specific grade range in Wisconsin may be licensed for a narrower grade range in another state. Each state determines grade ranges for licensing differently.
4. State licensure requirements may change at any time. Licensure questions should be referred to the Teacher Education Program Office (tep@uwec.edu).

The requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Texas

The requirements of this program do not meet licensure in the following states: Not Applicable

It has not been determined whether the requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Graduates of the teaching - kinesiology, physical education program are certified to teach physical education, health education and adaptive physical education. Graduates also earn a license in coaching pre-K-12 students. 

Where are teaching - physical education alumni now?

• Physical education teacher, Fall Creek High School, Wisconsin
• Physical education teacher, Aldine Independent School District, Texas
• Physical education teacher, School District of Bloomer, Wisconsin

Curriculum within the teaching - kinesiology, physical education program is rigorous and all-encompassing. Classes explore the musculoskeletal system and its relationship to human movement, changes in motor behavior across the lifespan, programming and assessment in the special physical education environment and health education curriculum design. 

Lab courses and field experience will provide you with hours of student-teaching experience, helping you to learn — and apply — best practices and effective teaching and classroom management techniques. 

What classes do teaching - physical education majors take?

Your classes may cover topics like: 

• Anatomical kinesiology
• Adventure and fitness education for K-12
• Educational psychology 
• Exercise physiology 
• Health education curriculum design 
• Movement education for elementary grades 

Learn more about the teaching - physical education major in the UWEC course catalog.

Thinking about a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology? Here are a few other programs you might be interested in exploring.