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Physical Education, Health Education & Teacher Licensure
Graduates with
a major in Physical Education and Health Education (PHE) will have
the skills and knowledge necessary to become effective Physical
Education and Health Education teachers. Students who earn a major
in physical education and health education, with teacher licensure,
are qualified to teach physical education and health education in
grades K-12 in North Carolina and many other states. North Carolina
currently has reciprocity with approximately 35 other states which
typically allows our graduates to be eligible for immediate employment
in those states. After successfully passing appropriate licensure
tests and completing some additional coursework, graduates frequently
gain employment in the remaining states. Students who earn a major
in physical education and health education without teacher licensure
usually go on to graduate school or seek employment in physical
education, health, or exercise related fields. Click
here for a list of the course requirements for a major in Physical
Education and Health Education.
The Teacher Education Program, with which the Physical Education & Health Education major is associated, requires students to participate in three different field experiences prior to student teaching. Since North Carolina licensure in Physical Education & Health Education is for grades K-12, Physical Education & Health Education majors in the Teacher Education Program complete a field experience in each of three settings: an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Students are allowed to choose the setting in which they complete their full-semester student teaching experience.
Most field experiences take place in the Cumberland County School System, which provides a quality education to over 54,000 students. Cumberland County has over 30 elementary schools, over 10 middle schools, and seven high schools with more schools currently under construction. Students may also choose to do their field experiences and student teaching with the Fort Bragg School System, which is part of the Department of Defense, and nearby communities such as Hoke, Harnett, and Johnston counties. Students are supervised on-site by their cooperating teacher and by a Methodist University Physical and Health Education, or Education Department faculty member.
