School of Education & Social Sciences · Bachelor’s degree
Physical Education (K–12)
Teach students to move, play, and live healthy.
Want to coach kids toward lifelong fitness? MVU’s physical education major prepares you to teach PE in grades K–12, with courses in kinesiology, exercise physiology, motor development, coaching, and adapted PE, plus field experience and student teaching.
120+
minimum credit hours to graduate
92
credit hours in the major
Grades K–12
Missouri certification
Student teaching
in real classrooms
Why physical education
Movement, health, and teaching
Learn the science of movement and how to teach it at every grade level.
The science of movement
Study anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, exercise physiology, nutrition, and motor development.
Sports and coaching
Learn skills and activities for primary and intermediate grades, coaching theory, and sports psychology.
Add health certification
Add Health K–12 certification by taking PHYS 340 Techniques of Teaching Health.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Teach physical education in elementary, middle, or high school.
- Coach sports.
- Help students build lifelong healthy habits.
- Earn Missouri K–12 certification.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Explain motor development and efficient movement.
- Teach movement skills, rhythm, and dance.
- Teach individual, team, and outdoor activities.
- Promote fitness, strength, flexibility, and healthy body composition.
- Help students build personal health and activity plans.
How the degree works
Your path to the classroom
Here’s how the degree is built. Your advisor helps you plan each term.
01
General education core
At least 42 credit hours across writing, speaking, math, science, social science, and the humanities.
02
Apply to teacher education
After 30 credit hours, apply to the teacher education program (see the requirements below).
03
Education and content courses
Take education courses, practicums, and clinical experiences, plus your physical education courses.
04
Student teach and get certified
Student teach, pass the Missouri Content Assessment, and apply for your Missouri certificate.
About certification: MVU’s teacher education programs are approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). A degree isn’t a teaching license. After you complete the program and pass the Missouri Content Assessment (MCA) and DESE’s required exit assessment, you apply to Missouri for your certificate. Planning to teach in another state? Check with that state’s education agency.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
You’ll also take four activity or varsity sport courses (PHYS 101–145). PHYS 100 is a prerequisite for PE courses numbered 234 and above.
Physical education courses
- BIOL 275 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- EXSI 230 or PHYS 322 Prevention and Treatment of Athletic Injuries, or Safety and Health Education for the Elementary Child
- EXSI 334 Kinesiology
- EXSI 335 Exercise Physiology
- EXSI 385 Human Nutrition
- PHYS 100 Foundation of Health and Physical Education
- PHYS 221 Lifetime Wellness (2 credits)
- PHYS 233 First Aid/CPR (2 credits)
- PHYS 235 Physical Education Skills and Activities for Primary Grades (2 credits)
- PHYS 236 Physical Education Skills and Activities for Intermediate Grades (2 credits)
- PHYS 238 Tumbling and Rhythmic Movement–Elementary
- PHYS 239 Physical Education for Exceptional Children
- PHYS 240 Motor/Perceptual Motor Development
- PHYS 309 or PHYS 310 Theory and Techniques of Coaching (fall and winter, or winter and spring sports) (2 credits)
- PHYS 311 Theory and Methods of Sports
- PHYS 332 Measurement and Evaluation in Health and Physical Education
- PHYS 333 Psychology and Sociology of Sports
- PSYC 270 Child and Adolescent Psychology
Education courses
- EDUC 100 Introduction to Teaching
- A practicum: EDUC 190 or EDUC 191 (1 credit)
- EDUC 260, 300, 307, 311, 322, and 355
- A clinical experience: EDUC 350, 351, or 352
- EDUC 415 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
- Student teaching: EDUC 490, 491, or 492 (6 credits)
Admission to the teacher education program
- At least 30 credit hours completed
- Passing scores on all sections of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher overall, in your content area, and in education courses, and an ACT score of at least 20
- A C or better in ENGL 160, COMM 100, and EDUC 100
- An application to the Education office by March 15 (for fall) or November 15 (for spring)
- A writing sample, plus any required remediation
- Proof of current CPR certification
- See the teacher education handbook for student teaching standards
General education core (at least 42 credit hours)
- Social and behavioral science (9 hours) from at least two subjects, including one constitution course: HIST 104, HIST 105, or POLS 100
- Written communication (6 hours): ENGL 130 Rhetoric and Composition, plus ENGL 160 or HONR 190
- Oral communication (3 hours), such as COMM 100 Public Speaking & Introduction to Communication
- Natural science: 7 hours from at least two subjects, including a lab (BS); 3 hours (BA and BFA)
- Mathematics (3 hours)
- Humanities and fine arts: 9 hours (BS) or 12 hours (BA and BFA) from at least three subjects, covering the arts and creativity, ethics, and culture and society
- Additional general education from any area, to reach at least 42 hours
- Plus one Writing Intensive (WI) course and one Service Learning (SL) course, which can overlap with other requirements
Graduation requirements
- Complete at least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Earn a major GPA of 2.0 or higher, with no grade below C and no pass/fail grades in the major.
- Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
- Complete your last 30 credit hours, and at least 12 hours of your major, at MVU.
- Complete the major assessment requirement.
- Apply for graduation and pay the $100 graduation fee.
Getting started
Three steps to begin
Applying to MVU is free, and most students finish the application in a few minutes.
02
Send your transcripts
Send your high school transcript, plus official transcripts from any college or dual credit courses. Transferring? See the transfer steps.
03
Plan how you’ll pay
Explore scholarships, grants, and loans on Tuition & Financial Aid, or request information for current tuition.
Can I add health certification?
Yes. Physical education majors can add Health K–12 certification by taking PHYS 340 Techniques of Teaching Health. See Health K–12 Add-On Certification.
What if I don’t want to teach?
MVU also offers a non-certified physical education major for careers outside the classroom.
When do I apply to the teacher education program?
After you’ve completed at least 30 credit hours and met the admission requirements. Applications are due March 15 for fall and November 15 for spring. See “Admission to the teacher education program” in the curriculum section.
Will I be certified to teach?
The program prepares you for Missouri certification. After you finish, pass the Missouri Content Assessment (MCA) and DESE’s exit assessment, you apply to the state for your certificate.
Can I add a minor or a second major?
Yes. A minor is optional and appears on your transcript; it must be in a different subject than your major. You can also double major by completing all the requirements for both majors. You’ll receive one diploma.
What do I need to graduate?
- At least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- A C or higher in every major course.
- At least 36 upper-division credit hours.
- Your last 30 credit hours at MVU.
- An application for graduation and the $100 graduation fee.
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about courses, student teaching, or how to plan your degree? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
Physical Education (K–12)
