School Health Education – Physical Education

B.S. Degree with a major in School Health Education - Physical Education

Get Fit. Teach Fit. Inspire Life

UMF and UMPI partner to offer a School Health Education bachelor’s degree with a Physical Education concentration, blending wellness education and PE training.

UMF’s Education programs give you hands-on classroom experience that builds both skills and your resume. In your sophomore year, you’ll complete a required teaching practicum, and in your senior year, you’ll spend a whole semester student teaching. These real-world experiences place you directly in school settings, providing the kind of preparation employers value.

Graduates are prepared to apply for licensure in the State of Maine, with resources available to explore requirements in other states and territories.

Questions? Ask a Professor

Save more than $5,500 per year in tuition.

Through the NEBHE Tuition Break program, students from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont receive a $5,670 tuition discount on all UMF degree programs.
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Learn. Lead. Make an Impact

You’ll learn age-appropriate concepts related to health promotion, disease prevention, and physical education.

  • How to access valid health information, services, and products to enhance health
  • How family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors affect health
  • The use of interpersonal communication and advocacy skills to enhance personal, family, and community health
  • Decision-making and goal-setting to enhance health
  • Health-enhancing behaviors to avoid or reduce health risks
  • Fitness concepts
  • The fundamentals of specialized movement skills
  • Responsible personal behavior and responsible social behavior in physical activity settings

Teach Health & PE: Meet the Growing Demand

UMF and UMPI partner to prepare students for the high demand for educators who can teach both Health and Physical Education. In Maine alone, about 50 PE openings are expected in the next five years, and many Health Education teachers are also required to teach PE. This program allows you to earn a UMF degree while completing specialized Physical Education coursework online through UMPI—no need to leave campus—giving you the dual skills and licensure needed to succeed in today’s schools.

About this Program:

What will I learn in UMF’s School Health Education – Physical Education program?

In this program, you will:

  • Develop strong teaching skills in both health and physical education.

  • Gain knowledge in areas such as wellness, fitness, nutrition, and human development.

  • Learn effective strategies to engage students in lifelong healthy practices.

  • Prepare for dual certification, allowing you to teach both subjects at the K–12 level.

What classes will I take at UMF?

At UMF you will get to choose interesting classes specifically tailored to this program, such as:

  • Child and Adolescent Health
  • Diversity Issues in Education
  • Experiences of Schooling
  • Substance Abuse Prevention
  • Social Emotional Well-being/Stress Management
  • Sexuality Education PK-12
  • Curriculum and Methods in Health Education PK-6
  • Curriculum and Methods in Health Education 6-12
  • Motor Learning
  • Teaching Elementary Physical Education
  • Teaching Secondary Physical Education
  • Adapted Physical Education
  • Practicum
  • Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education

You will also take courses in the Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences.

Program Requirements

See requirements in this program

And at UMPI you’ll take online Phys Ed-specific courses, such as:

  • Teaching Elementary Phys Ed
  • Teaching Secondary Phys Ed
  • Motor Learning
  • Adaptive Phys Ed
What jobs can I get with a School Health Education – Physical Education degree?

With dual certification, you can:

Become a Health Education Teacher (K–12).

Work as a Physical Education Teacher (K–12).

Take on roles in community health programs, recreation departments, or youth wellness initiatives.

What experience will I get with a School Health Education – Physical Education degree at UMF?

UMF offers:

  • Hands-on teaching opportunities in local schools.

  • Classroom observations and field placements beginning early in the program.

  • A supportive faculty and community dedicated to preparing effective health and PE educators.

Contact Us to Get Started!

Office of Admissions
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
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