Physical Education
What you'll do in college
Physical education majors learn to teach movement, fitness, and lifelong health—usually with an eye toward becoming K-12 PE teachers and coaches. Coursework blends education theory (child development, pedagogy, curriculum, classroom management) with the movement sciences (anatomy, kinesiology, motor learning, exercise physiology) and methods classes for teaching sports, games, and fitness.
Most programs require field observations and a semester of student teaching, and many lead to state teaching licensure in health and physical education. Expect plenty of time in gyms and on fields learning to plan lessons, run activities, and keep a class of restless kids moving.
What you'll do after college
Most graduates become physical education and health teachers, coaches, and athletic directors in elementary, middle, and high schools. Others move into recreation, youth sports, strength and fitness coaching, adapted PE for students with disabilities, or further study in kinesiology and exercise science.
Pay follows the public-school teacher scale—modest but steady, with summers off and a clear path to raises through experience and a master's degree. The work is active and people-centered, and for many PE teachers the payoff is sparking a lifelong love of movement in kids who might otherwise sit it out.
Famous graduates
- Pat Summitt — Legendary Tennessee women's basketball coach; B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin
- Lee Majors — Actor of The Six Million Dollar Man; degree in History and Physical Education from Eastern Kentucky University
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
By SAT median
Earnings by acceptance rate and institution category
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | Earnings | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Education | 382 | 5,592 | 54% / 46% | 2% | $54,807 | 96% |
| Physical Education | 270 | 3,258 | 58% / 42% | 2% | $54,239 | 97% |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 84 | 1,619 | 50% / 50% | 1% | $55,402 | 96% |
| Health Teacher Education | 40 | 553 | 35% / 65% | 1% | $56,197 | 96% |
| Health and Physical Education | 17 | 113 | 51% / 49% | 1% | $54,849 | 94% |
| Physical Education and Health | 1 | 20 | 75% / 25% | 5% | $48,948 | 96% |
| Exercise Science Education | 1 | 17 | 47% / 53% | 0% | $65,074 | 97% |
| Human Kinetics and Sport Studies | 1 | 6 | 67% / 33% | 0% | $56,091 | |
| Physical Education & Health | 1 | 5 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $61,625 | 92% |
| Kinesiology and Physical Education | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $70,205 | 97% |
| Physical Education/Teacher Education | 1 | 0 | $54,450 | 98% |