you with all the skills you need to teach PE at a K-12 level, or perhaps a course that specializes in human performance and movement?
The fact is that if you are passionate about pursuing the role of teaching physical education, there are few degrees that are better suited than PETE.
Over the past few years we’ve seen an increase in the number of universities offering this as its own degree, although it’s often managed by a broader department, such as the department of kinesiology.
Unlike the exercise science and human movement programs, PETE specializes in preparing students for being successful teachers of physical education, usually in the K-12 grade range.
The curriculum for this course will usually involve many of the same subject areas, but will often integrate courses in teaching methodology and helps you to build on the skills needed to teach the subject effectively.
However, it’s important to mention that it won’t always be possible to enroll straight onto a PETE course. In many cases, such as for the Indiana University Bloomington, there will be several possible paths to entry.
This can include maintaining a certain GPA, passing a test, and even being assessed using an application process created by the admissions committee. The cap on new applicants to the PETE program will also differ by university, so it can be useful to find out about any application deadlines and spaces available before you apply.
Some Universities are even taking this a step further. The University of West Florida currently offers a PETE degree, but is also looking to create a Fitness and Conditioning program that includes elements of PETE – such as training students to work with people and a wealth of interpersonal training:
The PETE degree is where one needs to be if there is any future potential of teaching. That is where the cert is achieved and that is where you learn and are trained to be a teacher.
I also think that PE degrees are grossly undervalued. A degree in PETE allows the graduate to teach and do most of the things exercise science or related degrees offer.
I have lots of PETE grads that go into fitness and exercise fields, strength and conditioning, advanced degrees in other related or unrelated areas, etc.
Daniel K. Drost, Department of Exercise Science and Community Health
The University of West Florida
So what should you expect from Physical Education Teacher Education?
The duration and course content will vary between institutions, with some majors running a full 4 years, while others are much shorter at between 12 and 16 months.
The shorter courses we’ve come across have required a Bachelor’s Degree in a discipline such as Exercise and Sport Science as one of their requirements for entry.
In most states, students graduating the PETE program are then qualified to apply for certification, and are eligible to teach in private and public schools for grade ranges K-12.
How to apply for a PE Teacher Education (PETE) program
The information contained in this guide is designed to be a useful resource for anyone that’s interested in pursuing a career as a teacher of Physical Education.
But while we hope this is comprehensive in the topics it covers, we understand that it’s one thing to actually read about the different stages of accreditation, and another to actually take action.
That’s why we’ve also put together a step-by-step guide where we follow the application process through from start to finish for a real college that includes the recommended PETE program as one of its courses. You can find the guide to application here.
Whether you’ve just started your career as a PE teacher, or have been teaching children for many years, it’s always useful to get different perspectives on what makes up an effective lesson plan.
This is why we’ve also included a list of resources that offer detailed lesson plans specifically tailored towards teaching Physical Education to students in the K-12 levels.
5 Useful resources for lesson planning ideas
- 1. SPARK Physical Education Lesson Plans
A collection of free lesson plans designed for a 