Health and Physical Education
The Health and Physical Education concentration within the Kinesiology and Physical Education major builds on strong partnerships with school districts locally, statewide and beyond, allowing students to apply the knowledge, expertise and skill developed in the classroom to field experiences in a variety of schools and settings. After graduation, students are certified to teach either health or physical education in K-12 schools in Maine, and can apply for teaching certification in other states.
Program Highlights
About
The University of Maine health and physical education program prepares students to become teachers in K-12 schools and similar settings. Our graduates gain the knowledge and skills needed for a rich and rewarding career of engaging students, schools and communities in physical activity and healthy practices that span all ages, from young children to older adults. We are proud to say that hundreds of our former students have gone on to become longtime role models in their schools and communities.
Within this concentration, students can pursue two options for study:
Health Option: The Health Option focuses on the core pedagogical requirements for teaching health courses in schools. Students that complete the health option fulfill the requirements to receive endorsement in teaching Health Education at the elementary and secondary level in the State of Maine, in addition to their certification to teach elementary and secondary physical education.
Liberal Arts Option: The Liberal Arts Option provides students with the opportunity to take a variety of courses to fulfill a well-rounded education. Students that complete the liberal arts concentration fulfill the requirements to teach elementary and secondary physical education.
Core Courses
The core of the teaching and coaching program provides a foundation of knowledge that prepares our students to become leaders for entire school communities. Teaching and coaching students can take advantage of opportunities in and outside the classroom to gain valuable skills. The coursework includes field experience in the first year, and students continue to receive hands-on experience in each year of the program. The instructional methods and concepts that our students learn in the classroom are applied in multiple settings, ranging from adapted physical education, to elementary and secondary physical education, to health education. A typical program of study includes:
Each student completes a teacher candidacy process, including fingerprinting required by the Maine Department of Education, a 30-hour observation in a public school physical education classroom, evaluation from a supervising teacher and a portfolio documenting their experience. All students finish the program with a 600-hour student-teaching placement in two different schools. Graduates are automatically recommended to the Maine Department of Education for teacher licensure.
Careers in Health and Physical Education
Students who complete the health and physical education program are prepared for careers in a variety of settings, including schools and community recreation programs. Some of the jobs our graduates have gone on to fill include: K-12 physical education teacher, K-12 health education teacher, community health educator, community recreation program director, and sports coaching at all levels of competition.
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) statement
This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, in addition to the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program.
To Apply
Applying for admission to the University of Maine is easy. Just go to go.umaine.edu/apply/