Physical education
Master of Education
Inspire active and healthy kids
In a world where screens compete for kids’ attention, schools need leaders who can inspire movement and make physical activity fun again. This program prepares you to become a certified K-12 physical education teacher and a champion for active schools. You’ll go beyond the gym, learning how to design and deliver engaging lessons that build lifelong fitness habits. You’ll also explore whole-of-school physical activity programming strategies that get students, teachers and even families moving before, during and after school.
Through hands-on courses and real-world teaching experiences, you’ll:
- Learn to teach games, sports and activities that make fitness exciting.
- Promote health and wellness across the entire school community.
- Gain the skills to evaluate, plan and lead programs that get kids moving — not just in P.E., but all day long.
Be part of the next generation of educators who make movement a priority for every student.
Physical education M.Ed. highlights:
- This program can be completed in as little as one year.
- Two program options:
- Finish online in one year with the option for certified physical education teachers.
- Finish in three semesters with the on-campus master's plus initial teacher certification.
- Students can enter fall, spring or summer semester.
- Students are involved in problem-based research addressing physical activity pedagogy in their setting.
Overview
Related Topics
Advanced physical education
Application information
Applicants for the M.Ed. in physical education must meet the degree-specific admission requirements below:
- Education level: Bachelor's
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
- Number of references: Three
- Other requirements: Program interview
Program availability
- Concentration: non-thesis
- Semester intake: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Eligible for 4+1 admission
- Eligible for Expedited admission for U of I undergraduates
- Not eligible for international students who require F-1 or J-1 visa status
- Deadlines: general application deadlines
Note: The one-year online physical education pedagogy option is only available for certified teachers.
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Contact information
Movement Sciences contact:
Cate Loiacono
eganca@uidaho.edu
Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001
Tuition and fees
Graduate funding opportunities
Graduate students have funding opportunities specific to Movement Sciences programs in the form of teaching assistantships.
Learn more about teaching assistantships within the Department of Movement Sciences.
To learn about various ways to fund your graduate degree, check out Graduate Funding.
For detailed information about the cost of attendance, visit Financial Aid.
Degree fit
This degree could be a good fit if you:
- Enjoy physical activity and sports.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Work well with children of all ages.
- Are patient and creative.
- Have strong leadership skills.
With research opportunities embedded within the K-12 classroom experiences, graduate students in Master of Education in physical education have extensive opportunities to conduct intensive research and to learn hands-on and teach within the University of Idaho community.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
4,134 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Postsecondary Education Teachers • Postsecondary Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers
$82,694 - Middle School Teachers
$82,257 - Secondary School Teachers
$78,774 - Coaches and Scouts
$46,367 - Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
$47,462
* Career data provided by Lightcast.