Health & Physical Education
Major Information
The College of Education’s Department of Middle and Secondary Education in conjunction with the Waters College of Health Professions prepares the student to become a health and physical educator in a traditional school setting. Students learn how to plan and implement the P-12 curriculum for Health and Physical Education. Health and Physical Education instructors teach individuals or groups of students a variety of physical activities, including fitness, gymnastics, rhythms and dance, reducing or corrective exercises, and sport and game skills in schools, universities, and private health clubs. They prescribe individualized exercise and motor skill movements. The goal of the program is to produce teachers who can integrate research and theory into current teaching practices.
General Information
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Degree(s) Offered:
- Bachelor of Science in Education: Health & Physical Education
Sample Occupations
*Requires additional education
- Health and Physical Education Teacher
- Athletic Director
- Coach
- Recreation Therapy
- Dance Instructor
- Occupational Therapy*
- Outdoor Education Instructor
- Weight-Control Counselor
- Sports Medicine Physician*
- Intramural Director
- Sports Psychologist*
- Camp Director
- Protective Service Worker
- Athletic Trainer*
- Sports Official
- Agency Recreation Leader
- Corporate Trainer
- Exercise Physiologist*
Sample Work Settings
- Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Schools
- Public and Private Schools
- Industry (private, public companies)
- Colleges and Universities
- Community Centers and Public Gyms
- Health Spas and Resorts
- Governmental Agencies
- Retirement Communities
Sample Employers
- Bulloch County
- Gwinnett County
- Savannah-Chatham County
- Cobb County
- Fulton County
- Houston County
- DeKalb County
- Columbia County
- Atlanta Public Schools
- Forsyth County
- Henry County
- Clarke County
- Evans County
- Education and Family Centers
- Georgia Cyber Academy
- Georgia Virtual School
Connecting Majors, Skills, and Occupations
- View learning outcomes associated with your major in the Georgia Southern Academic Catalog:
Georgia Southern Academic Catalog
- Explore the connection between occupations and skills in O*Net:
- Use Handshake to upload your résumé and explore internships and jobs. For more information:
Internet Resources
To explore values, interests, and skills:
FOCUS 2
bit.ly/focuscareer
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – $18
To explore occupational outlooks and salaries:
National Compensation Survey
Salary.Com
Professional Organizations
Society of Health & Physical Educators www.shapeamerica.org
Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) www.gae.org
Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) www.pageinc.org
National Education Association (NEA) www.nea.org
Georgia Southern Student Organizations
Health and Physical Education Majors Club (HPEC)
Professional Tips
- Make the most of your field experiences in the schools and maintain a high level of professionalism.
- Gain various volunteer experiences, especially in areas working with children such as Boys/Girls Club, Special Olympics, etc.
- Join student organizations and seek leadership opportunities such as being an FYE Peer Leader.
- Consider partnering with a faculty member for additional research experience.
- Volunteer coaching with the Recreation Department.
Résumé Tips
- Bachelor of Science in Education: Health and Physical Education
- Include either in the Education section or a separate certification section information about passing the GACE. Might also state receiving a T-4 Certification (for undergraduate majors).
- Include field experiences.
- Coaching experience can be listed in a separate section.
- Include volunteer experience, especially anything working with children.
- Include additional certifications such as First Aid/CPR/AED.
- Include technology skills such as Microsoft Office, SmartBoards, InterWrite, Google Docs, etc.
- Include activities, including professional association memberships such as SPAGE (if a member).
- Education résumés can be 2 pages.
Last updated: 6/27/2013