College of Education and Human Development

Health and Physical Education

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.

We offer two options of 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:

• EHD 202 Education in a Multicultural Society
• EHD 203 Educational Psychology
• KPE 262 Methods of Teaching Physical Activity
• KPE 263 Individual Sports and Net Games
• KPE 264 Team Sports and Invasion Games
• KPE 265 Outdoor and Adventure Activities
• KPE 266 Dance Fitness
• KPE 271 History and Philosophy of Kinesiology and Physical Education
• KPE 344 Principles of Coaching
• KPE 364 Elementary School Physical Education
• KPE 365 Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Physical Education
• KPE 425 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• KPE 483 The Comprehensive School Health Program
• KPE 484 Methods of Teaching Health Education
• EHD 498 Seminar for Interns
• EHD 499 Student Teaching K-12

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, passing scores on the Praxis CORE series of exams, and an eFolio documenting this experience. All students finish the program with a 600-hour student-teaching placement in two different schools. Graduates are recommended to the Maine Department of Education for teacher licensure.

Careers
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 (licenced by the Maine Department of Education), K-12 health education teacher (licenced by the Maine Department of Education), community health educator, community recreation program director, sports coaching.

To Apply
Applying for admission to the University of Maine is easy. Just go to go.umaine.edu/apply/

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.