School Health Education and Physical Education

B.S. Degree with a major of School Health Education

Teach Health. Change Lives.

UMF’s School Health Education program focuses on building lifelong wellness habits in children through activity, nutrition, healthcare, and healthy behaviors.

The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) School Health Education bachelor’s program provides hands-on learning experiences that prepare future educators to promote children’s wellness, academic success, and overall quality of life. With an emphasis on teaching-by-doing, students build the skills and confidence to teach health education in Pre-K–12 settings and pursue certification for those grade levels.

UMF also offers a Physical Education concentration through a partnership with the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI). This collaborative program allows students to earn a UMF degree in School Health Education while completing specialized Physical Education coursework online through UMPI—without leaving campus. The result is a streamlined pathway to dual certification in both Health Education and Physical Education, equipping graduates with the skills to support student wellness through both classroom instruction and physical activity.

Person standing in front of class giving a presentation
Person standing in front of class giving a presentation

The Learning Experience

UMF’s School Health Education program trains you to teach Pre-K–12 students about lifelong wellness through hands-on learning and real 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 hands-on placements in school settings allow you to apply what you’ve learned, build confidence in the classroom, and develop the instructional skills needed to succeed as a teacher.

What Makes UMF’s Education Program Unique

Experience and Network

Gain hands-on classroom experience early while building connections with mentors, peers, and local schools.

Extensive Resources

Our on-campus state-of-the-art Sweatt-Winter Early Childhood Lab School, Curriculum Lab, Assistive Technology Center, Everyone’s Resource Depot & more.

Tradition and Excellence

For over 160 years we’ve built a long-standing reputation for preparing exceptional, career-ready teachers.

Quality and Affordability

Receive a high-quality education with strong support, practical experience, and a cost that keeps your future within reach.
UMF student standing in front of UMF athletics logo in Dearborn Gymnasium

Interested in a Minor?

Related minors include:

Coaching Minor is available to undergraduate students in any major aspiring to coach at any level. The minor emphasizes coaching various sports, coaching methods, fitness training assessment, motor development, and anatomy/physiology.

Physical Activity Minor is designed for students from any major who have an interest in physical activity behavior and promotion. Students will learn the fundamentals of physical activity and how it aligns with motivating behavior change.

Child and Adolescent Health Minor is designed for students from any major interested in working with youth.

Nutrition Minor is designed for students from any major interested in nutrition and motivating behavior change. The courses cover relevant topics in nutrition and health behavior change.

83%

UMF students are employed in the field of education

 

85%

Graduates are hired within a year of graduation

 

73%

Students are employed within four months of graduation

 

Experienced Faculty

At UMF, you’ll learn from faculty who’ve been there and who know today’s classrooms. They’ll support you every step of the way, sharing real-world insight and helping you build the skills and confidence to succeed.

Contact Us to Get Started!

Office of Admissions
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
umfadmit@maine.edu
207.778.7050