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WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

The physical education and health major prepares students to be effective health and physical education teachers at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels through a strong content and pedagogy curriculum. Students are well prepared to pass state certification exams and to apply for and achieve multi-state teaching certification. During each semester of the junior year and the first semester of the senior year, teacher candidates spend a minimum of 75 hours observing and teaching under the supervision of a certified health and physical education teacher and a university faculty member. During the final semester of the senior year, candidates complete a full semester of student teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Those who enjoy sports and physical activity and are interested in helping children and adolescents stay healthy may find teaching physical education and health to be the ideal major. There continues to be a need for dedicated and effective physical education and health teachers in the schools, especially at a time when the percentage of children and adolescents who are obese in the United States is at an all-time high level. Within the next several years, the “baby boomers” who are currently teaching will be retiring, and the need for new teachers will increase dramatically.

Accreditation

The Physical Education and Health program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).

Program Contact Information

Dr. Carol Ryan
Physical Education and Health Program Director

859-572-5152
ryanc@nku.edu 

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