School of Education & Social Sciences · Bachelor’s degree
Physical Education (Non-Certified)
Build a career in fitness, recreation, and coaching.
Love sports and fitness but don’t plan to teach in a school? MVU’s non-certified physical education major gives you the same courses in movement, exercise science, coaching, and adapted PE, without the teacher certification track.
120
credit hours to graduate
54
credit hours in the major
On campus
in Marshall, Missouri
4 years
at a full-time pace
Why physical education
Movement, coaching, and wellness
Study how people move and how to lead activity programs.
The science of movement
Study kinesiology, exercise physiology, nutrition, and motor development.
Sports and coaching
Learn coaching theory, sports methods, and the psychology and sociology of sport.
Activity for everyone
Learn adapted physical education and safety, health, and first aid.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Coach or work in recreation or fitness.
- Lead activity programs for children or adults.
- Study movement without the teacher certification track.
- Pair PE with another interest, such as business or nonprofit work.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Explain motor development and efficient movement.
- Lead individual, team, and outdoor activities.
- Promote fitness, strength, and flexibility.
- Adapt activities for people with disabilities.
- Measure and evaluate fitness and performance.
How the degree works
How your 120 credit hours add up
Here’s how the degree is built. Your advisor helps you choose courses each term.
01
General education core
At least 42 credit hours across writing, speaking, math, science, social science, and the humanities.
02
Physical education courses
54 credit hours of exercise science, physical education, coaching, and child development, plus four activity or varsity sport courses.
03
Electives or a minor
Use the rest of your 120 hours for electives, a minor, or even a second major.
Good to know: This major doesn’t lead to teacher certification. If you want to teach PE in a school, see Physical Education K–12.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
You’ll also take four activity or varsity sport courses (PHYS 101–145).
Physical education courses
- EDUC 100 Introduction to Teaching
- 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
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.
Does this lead to teacher certification?
No. For certification, choose Physical Education K–12.
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, careers, or how to plan your degree? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
Physical Education (Non-Certified)
