Physical Education Teacher Education

A Bachelor of Science (B.S. Ed.) in Physical Education Teacher Education from the University of Idaho will give you the skills to teach games, sports, and movement to children in elementary and secondary schools. As a certified K-12 physical education teacher you'll have the ability to make a positive difference in the health and overall fitness of children of all ages.

The program develops teachers who engage K-12 students to participate in activities related to healthy, active living. You'll take courses related to teaching, programming, administering and evaluating skillful movement in sports, lifetime activities, physical fitness and dance. You also will learn how to help children develop the critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills needed for healthy lifestyle management. The program blends classroom teaching and hands-on learning, giving you excellent opportunities to immediately apply classroom theory and to practice your newly acquired skills in a real school setting.

You will work extensively with children and youth, both through teaching and coaching experiences. You will have opportunities to attend and present at state, regional and national conferences.

Prepare for Success

If you enjoy physical activity and also working with children, you may be interested in a degree in physical education. Experience working with children in physical activity environments can help you know if this degree is a good fit for you.

Your First Year

The course of study for a physical education degree, including the semester-long internship, takes an average of four and a half years to complete. You will take university core requirements during the first year, and continue with skill, movement and foundation courses during the second and third years. Upon completion of the following courses: English 102, University of Idaho Core Mathematics Course, Comm101 and EDCI 201 with a minimum of a C grade and a 2.75 gpa, you may apply for admission to the College of Education Teacher Education program. 

What You Can Do

Nearly all physical education teachers work in public school environments. Graduates of the physical education program may also consider the following graduate degrees:

• Master of Science (M.S.) in Movement Leisure Sciences
• Master of Education (M.Ed.)in Physical Education and Physical Activity Pedagogy
• Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph. D.) in Physical Activity Pedagogy and Character Education

Opportunities

Competitive salaries with full benefits combined with summers off make teaching a desirable career option. With free summers, teachers can pursue professional development opportunities, go on extended vacations, or become involved in community activities.

Current Research

Some of the research being conducted in the Physical Education Program at the University of Idaho is focused on enhancing the quality of instruction to improve physical activity participation in schools and communities. This has resulted in working with local school districts to promote the use of effective curricula in physical education. Other research is focused on providing students with the necessary instructional tools for physical education so they can then transfer quality physical education practices to schools, as well as throughout their communities.

Activities

You might be interested in the University of Idaho chapter of Camp Adventure Youth Services, the Palouse Area Association for the Education of Young Children, or a number of sports and academic clubs also available on campus.

Hands-On Experience

Physical education students work closely with local school children and elementary school teachers to provide programs and activity opportunities. You will have several field experiences, including a semester-long internship in a school setting. Our students attend state conferences and are required to present at the conference. Students also work with the City of Moscow as part of our collaborative program, Safe Routes to School, which fosters walking and biking safely to school.

Facilities

The Physical Education Building (PEB) in Moscow is home to the Movement Science Department. The PEB facility has two full-size basketball courts, two dance studios and the only squash court on campus. The PEB also has a women’s locker room with a sauna (the men’s locker room and sauna are located in the Memorial Gymnasium). The Human Performance Laboratory is also housed in PEB (Room 112).

The program also offers courses at the ASUI Kibbie Dome, the Swim Center, the Student Recreation Center and various outdoor facilities across campus (such as tennis courts, Guy Wicks Field, Kibbie Sprint Turf, and Dan O'Brien Track & Field). For more information about these facilities: 

• Memorial Gymnasium
• ASUI Kibbie Dome
• Swim Center
• Student Recreation Center