Health and Physical Education Degree

Program Overview

The Health and Physical Education major at UW-River Falls will prepare you to teach in elementary, middle and high schools. As a graduate of the Health and Physical Education major, you will be dual-licensed, allowing you to teach in early childhood through adolescence programs.

Highlights of the Health and Physical Education Major

Experience a unique variety of clinical field experiences in rural, urban and suburban settings.
Students receive regular professional development and networking opportunities through state, national and international conferences.
Students experience 18 weeks of student teaching, split evenly between elementary and secondary-level classrooms. Students will spend that time gaining valuable experience teaching children, adolescents and young adults.
Physical education standards from both SHAPE America and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction serve as the foundation for creating developmentally appropriate lessons for instructing students in the pre-K-12 school environment.
Each student receives a five year membership to the Wisconsin Health and Physical Education organization and a one year membership to SHAPE America.

Skills and Learning Outcomes

As a student in this program, you will learn to:

Understand the human body and how it works, including the functions of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems.
Apply your knowledge of the human body to teach wellness in early childhood and adolescence programs.
Use communication, instructional and managerial skills to enhance learning.
Apply K-12 physical education rules, techniques, strategies and tactics in a classroom setting.
Plan and adapt your lessons for diverse student needs.
Achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of fitness throughout the program.
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of health and physical education in multiple settings.

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of this program, you will be prepared for a career in the health and physical education field. Below is a list of potential job titles and employers that graduates have found employment or internship opportunities with.

Job Titles