Physical Education Teaching and Coaching

Our programs blend the deep scientific foundations of human performance with real-world teaching and leadership strategies. Here, your classroom expands into high-performance labs, local public schools, and community sports organizations where you'll gain practical, applied experiences from day one.

We offer a flexible lineup of programs tailored to your specific career goals. When you pursue our BS in Physical Education Teaching and Coaching, you have a few options to choose from:

  • The PE Teaching Emphasis - Built for future educators. This track prepares you for K–12 teaching licensure through immersive coursework, hands-on learning, authentic teaching experiences, and extensive field placements in diverse educational settings.
  • The Athletic Coaching and Leadership Emphasis - Built for future sport coaches, managers, and leaders. This track develops the knowledge and skills to lead athletes and organizations through evidence-based coaching, athlete development, sport administration, leadership, and hands-on experiential learning across all levels of sport.

Not looking for a full major? You can still build your skillset with a minor in:

  • Physical Education
  • Physical Education - Teaching

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Mission

As part of the Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation, our mission is to inspire future professionals by providing a high-quality education through innovative, engaged, and experiential learning opportunities that prepare students to lead in education, coaching, recreation, and sport performance environments.

What You’ll Learn

As a Physical Education Teaching and Coaching student, coursework may include:

  • Curriculum models and development, and instructional strategies
  • Assessment strategies
  • Adapted physical education
  • Structural kinesiology
  • Growth and motor development
  • Exercise physiology
  • Assessment and technology
  • Skill development
  • Sports and fitness teaching and activities
  • Coaching theory and leadership
  • Athlete development and sport psychology
  • Strength and conditioning concepts

What You Can Do

Graduates are prepared for careers in physical education teaching, coaching, athletic leadership, recreation, and sport program administration. Students in the Physical Education Teaching emphasis earn a teaching license through the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and are qualified to teach physical education and coach in K–12 public schools.

Students in the Athletic Coaching and Leadership emphasis are prepared for coaching and leadership opportunities across youth, high school, collegiate, professional, Olympic, recreation, and community sport settings. Career pathways may include athletic coaching, sport performance, athletic administration, youth sport leadership, recreation management, and related roles in the sport industry.

Degrees and Courses
 

Bachelor's Degree

BS Physical Education Teaching and Coaching

The PE Teaching emphasis prepares students for K–12 teaching licensure through hands-on learning and applied teaching experiences.

The Athletic Coaching and Leadership emphasis focuses on coaching, athlete development, leadership, and experiential learning at all levels of sport. 

Bachelor's Degree Information

Minor

Minor in Physical Education or Physical Education Teaching

A minor in physical education introduces you to a variety of activities to stay healthy and active and gives you physical education expertise for your career. You may choose our teaching track to apply your skills in a K–12 school setting.

Minor Information

Activity Courses

Aerobics, martial arts, strength training, pickleball, ice skating and more. Along with its courses for physical education professionals, the physical education program offers a wide range of activity courses for all majors.

Activity Courses