Physical Education, B.S.
The course of study for a B.S. in Exercise, Sport, and Health Sciences with an emphasis in physical education teacher education, includes a semester long internship, takes an average of 4½ years to complete, and can be completed in four years by working with your advisor, taking summer coursework and planning your courses well. Those on a 4½ year plan will complete their regular course work in year 4 and perform an internship during the following semester. With 3 additional courses you can gain a teaching minor e.g., health education teaching that will make you more marketable in the competitive job market. Graduates from this program have two career options; an undergraduate degree in Exercise, Sport, and Health Sciences and teacher certification in physical education.
During your first year in the program, you will work to satisfy the University of Idaho’s core educational requirements, be introduced to some of the coursework in Exercise, Sport, and Health Sciences and Physical Education.
The second year, you will begin to focus on individual and community physical activity, health enhancement, movement, skill and foundation courses and Exercise, Sport, and Health Sciences courses. These courses are designed to provide an understanding of how movement affects human physiology and behavior. Upon completion of the first semester of the sophomore year, students can apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program. For your application you will need an initial interview with your academic advisor; GPA average of 2.75 or better; have completed, with a minimum of a C in the following courses: Engl 102, University of Idaho Core Mathematics Course, Comm 101 and EDCI 201 (including 20 hours of service-learning) letter of application, recommendations and completion of background check. Students seeking a minor should take classes in the summer after the second year to stay on track with the added coursework.
Your third year will broaden your scope to include understanding leadership roles as they pertain to education. After acceptance into the Teacher Education program you will begin pedagogy courses, exploring the principles of leadership, program planning and administrative functions of physical education teachers through a service learning project focusing on enhancing healthy active lifestyles within a school environment.
Your fourth year focuses on physical activity pedagogy to develop your understanding of teaching methods, instructional style and curricular models. You also will complete your Praxis exam in Physical Education and apply for an internship to complete your program in the last semester. Find out more about the student teaching internships. During your internship you will apply for your degree and certification to teach K-12 in the state of Idaho.