2022 Best Online Physical Education Degrees
Online physical education degrees at the bachelor's level equip students with relevant skills to promote physical fitness and well-being. The curriculum covers the mechanics of movement, the physiology of healthy activity, and helps prepare students to work with various abilities and ages. These degree program graduates can become coaches, athletic and fitness trainers, or K-12 physical education teachers. If you're interested in this field, you should also explore our best online degree programs in physical therapy and exercise science.
View our methodology for more details about our list or learn more about OnlineU.
List Of Accredited Online Schools
School | Online Enrollment | Salary Score | Median Starting Salary |
---|---|---|---|
Fort Hays State University | |||
Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus | 2,431 | NA | NA |
Kansas State University | 2,386 | 24 | $25,270 |
Eastern Oregon University | 1,496 | 38 | $27,016 |
William Carey University | 1,155 | 40 | $27,292 |
University of Wisconsin - Superior | 910 | NA | NA |
East Central University | 663 | 44 | $27,783 |
East Central University
- Salary Score: 44
- Median Starting Salary: $27,783
- Locations: Ada (OK)
- Accreditation: HLC
East Central University (ECU) is a medium-sized, public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, which requires 124 credits. This program helps students understand key topics, such as sports nutrition, first aid, strength, conditioning, and motor learning. Some core classes for this major include Theory of Coaching, Fundamentals of Sports Administration, and Health Promotion. This program can be completed in four years with a full-time schedule. Graduates may work as athletic or personal trainers, recreation directors, and wellness directors, to name a few options.
At ECU, students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is fully online and asynchronous.
William Carey University
- Salary Score: 40
- Median Starting Salary: $27,292
- Locations: Hattiesburg (MS)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
William Carey University (WCU) is a medium-sized, private institution. WCU offers both an online Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation and an online Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, the latter of which requires a minor. Minor options include Coaching, Recreation, and Special Education. Each bachelor’s program requires 120 credit hours, and students can complete their degree in four years with a full-time schedule. Some core classes across these majors include Organization & Administration of Physical Education, The Care & Prevention of Sports Injuries, and Leisure Services.
At WCU, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is 100% online and asynchronous.
Eastern Oregon University
- Salary Score: 38
- Median Starting Salary: $27,016
- Locations: La Grande (OR)
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Eastern Oregon University (EOU) is a medium-sized, public institution, which offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Health & Human Performance. EOU’s online degree program — requiring 180 credit hours — has three concentrations: (1) Community Health, (2) Exercise Science, and (3) Physical Education & Sport. All of these concentrations require a capstone course and research project in order to graduate. Overall, students can finish the degree in three years with a full-time schedule. Graduates may become fitness trainers, health educators, physical therapists, and physical education teachers.
At EOU, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online and may be either synchronous or asynchronous.
Kansas State University
- Salary Score: 24
- Median Starting Salary: $25,270
- Locations: Manhattan (KS)
- Accreditation: HLC
Kansas State University (KSU) is a large, public university. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology requiring 120 credit hours. KSU highlights the importance of physical activity and combines biomechanical, physiological, and sociological perspectives. This program can be completed in four years with a full-time schedule, and graduates may work as physicians, health educators, recreation directors, and personal trainers. Some core classes for this major include Biobehavioral Bases of Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Physiology, and Social Structural Determinants of Physical Activity.
At KSU, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online and asynchronous.
Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus
- Salary Score: NA
- Locations: Portales (NM)
- Accreditation: HLC
Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus (ENMU) is a medium-sized, public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. Totaling 120 credit hours, the program has three concentrations to choose from: (1) Sports and Recreation Management, (2) Teaching Physical Education, and (3) Health and Wellness. Example coursework includes Concepts in Physical Education, Sports Finance, and Fundamentals of Sport Management.
ENMU’s online students complete coursework in synchronous and asynchronous format on Blackboard. In addition, online students can access a range of resources, such as academic advising, an online library, tutoring, and more. Admission requirements include a minimum ACT score of 17 or an SAT score of 810 or higher, official transcripts, and an application.
Fort Hays State University
- Salary Score: NA
- Locations: Hays (KS)
- Accreditation: HLC
Fort Hays State University (FHSU), a medium-sized public institution, offers an online Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance. The program requires a minimum of 120 credit hours, and prospective students can expect to learn the fundamentals of a career in physical education, including a well-rounded approach to health, wellness, and nutrition, to name a few. Courses from the curriculum include Concepts of Physical Fitness, Kinesiology, and Care and Prevention of Exercise and Sports Injuries.
At FHSU, online students complete coursework synchronously on the platform Blackboard. In addition, online students can access tech support, academic advising, career development, and more. General admission requirements are a cumulative 2.25 or higher GPA, an ACT score of 21 or higher, or a minimum SAT score of 1060.
University of Wisconsin - Superior
- Salary Score: NA
- Locations: Superior (WI)
- Accreditation: HLC
Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus (ENMU) is a medium-sized, public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. Totaling 120 credit hours, the program has three specializations to choose from: (1) Sports and Recreation Management, (2) Teaching Physical Education, and (3) Health and Wellness. Example coursework includes Concepts in Physical Education, Sports Finance, and Fundamentals of Sport Management.
ENMU’s online students complete coursework in both synchronous and asynchronous formats on Blackboard. In addition, online students can access resources, such as academic advising, an online library, and tutoring. Admission requirements include a minimum ACT score of 17 or an SAT score of 810 or higher, official transcripts, and an application.
Overview of Online Physical Education Degrees
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for becoming a licensed physical education teacher. However, an online teacher licensure program might be a good option for you if you already have a bachelor's degree in another subject and want to go into teaching. For those already working as teachers who wish to add to their skillset or who are looking to make a career switch, online master's degree programs are also available. If teaching is not your career path, you can choose a concentration within the physical education major, such as coaching or sports performance, to work with individuals and teams in various other health and fitness settings.
Online Bachelor's Degrees in Physical Education
A physical education degree program is designed to prepare students to teach others the benefits of physical activity and healthy living. The degree can be completed online with courses covering various health sciences and fitness topics, such as human anatomy, movement, injury prevention, team sport coaching, and nutrition. The curriculum may also explore the mind-body connection, development of motor skills, and the impact of healthy moving on overall well-being. An on-site teaching practicum is required for students pursuing teacher licensure to instruct K-12 physical education programs.
A physical education degree program is designed to prepare students to teach others the benefits of physical activity and healthy living.
Full-time students determined to pursue online physical education bachelor's programs generally expect to take four years to complete approximately 154 credit hours. The program may take five years for students enrolled in programs that also prepare them for K-12 teacher certification. Programs may take longer for part-time students. Upon completing their degree and student teaching experience, graduates can apply for state licensure where they want to teach.
Admission Requirements
Most schools require official high school transcripts or GED test scores to be eligible for enrollment. Many also have a minimum GPA requirement for applicants, generally 2.0 or higher. Prerequisites vary by program but often include English, laboratory science, math, and social sciences.
Other admission requirements for first-year students may include:
- One year of a foreign language or fine arts
- SAT or ACT standardized test scores
- An essay or letter of intent
- A completed application and non-refundable fee of approximately $50
Common Courses in Physical Education Programs
Degree program curriculum blends rigorous academic coursework with experiential learning so students can develop skills to empower others to become physically fit. Students interested in a specialization may also choose a concentration or minor such as health and physical education, athletic coaching, or physical activity and sports performance.
While course titles and electives may change from program to program, outcomes and learning objectives are similar:
Interested in learning about similar programs? Explore online bachelor's degrees in exercise science, personal training, or health education.
Accreditation
Accreditation ensures a school has met quality education standards. It may also be necessary to be able to use federal financial aid or transfer credits to another accredited school to meet additional educational goals. Most non-profit universities are regionally accredited, which is often preferred over national accreditation because it has more regulations to ensure high academic standards and quality.
Programmatic accreditation is often conferred on programs such as teaching to help ensure students enter the workforce prepared to meet industry expectations. Students interested in teaching physical education at the elementary, middle, or high school level should look for programs accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Prospective students can verify school and CAEP accreditation status on the Department of Education's Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs database.
Careers with a Degree in Physical Education
Popular career paths include becoming elementary, middle, or high school teachers, which also requires state teacher certification. Though not necessary, some also earn National Board Certification in physical education to become more competitive in the job market. Licensed physical education teachers work with children of all ages and abilities to teach them about exercising, teamwork, and making healthy choices. They also plan lessons and manage classrooms. Public school K-12 physical education teachers earn an annual median salary of $60,660 with a 7% job outlook through 2030, and those teaching in high schools earn a median annual salary of $62,870 with an 8% job outlook during the same period.
Licensed physical education teachers work with children of all ages and abilities to teach them about exercising, teamwork, and making healthy choices.
High-growth occupations for graduates who do not end up teaching include athletic training, coaching, and fitness training. While two of these occupations make less than the national median annual salary of $41,950, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects all three to have a significantly higher than average job growth rate through 2030. Athletic trainers who assist athletes in training correctly and safely earn the most of these occupations at $49,860 and have a 23% job outlook. Coaches who train and guide athletes to excel at their sport earn the least of the three professions at $36,330 but have a 26% job outlook. Fitness trainers who motivate others in exercise earn $40,510 and have an even higher 39% job outlook than athletic trainers and coaches. These high outlooks may be attributed to an increased awareness of the health benefits of physical activity on sedentary lifestyles.
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By OnlineU Staff | 6/21/2022