Physical Education Teacher Education

The Physical Education Teacher Education option prepares students who are interested in the following (when appropriate coursework is completed):

  • Coaching
  • Health education
  • Other subject areas

Students who are interested in preparation for coaching, health education or other subject areas can do so by completing appropriate coursework. Visit with an academic adviser if you are interested in additional endorsements.

Related degrees: Physical Education graduate degrees

Program components

The Physical Education Teacher Education program incorporates:

  • Kinesiology Department curriculum, teaching age-appropriate educational movement and fitness activities along with a multitude of teaching strategies.
  • Teacher education curriculum from the College of Human Sciences, integrating courses in teaching methodology with professional skills such as the ability to meet the needs of diverse learners.
  • Licensure through the ISU School of Education teacher education program (Educator Preparation Program).

Coursework

Coursework includes:

  • Motor learning and control
  • Bio-mechanical aspects of human movement
  • Physiology of exercise
  • Sport psychology
  • Methods of teaching physical education and dance
  • Adapted physical education
  • Physical education curriculum design and program organization
  • Multicultural awareness and non-sexism in the classroom
  • Professional activity/skills classes including aquatics, outdoor adventure, team sports, individual sports, dance, and more…

School of Education admission and licensure

The ISU School of Education (SOE) Educator Preparation Program monitors the progress of all teacher education students and coordinates the licensure process. Students must apply to the School of Education after they have begun their Physical Education Teacher Education coursework.

The School of Education Teacher Services guides students through three main steps in their teacher education:

  1. Admission to the Educator Preparation program. Students will not be able to progress to student teaching or licensure without first applying and being accepted. More »

  2. Student teaching. Teacher Services works with coordinators and students to arrange practicum and student teaching placements in K-12 settings.  More »

  3. Licensure. Students should submit the Iowa Application for Licensure at the beginning of the student teaching semester when graduating that semester. The forms are processed in the Teacher Services office and then forwarded to the state. More »

The first step toward teacher licensure is to apply and meet the criteria listed for Educator Preparation admission.  Admission is not competitive. Students complete courses in the first stage of their education before applying to the program.

When to apply. You must apply for admission at least one year before the start of your student teaching semester. There is only one admission date per semester; the admission date is the first Friday of the first week of the semester.

Requirements. The School of Education has a list of requirements to meet before applying for admission. The Department of Kinesiology has additional requirements:

  1. Complete KIN 312 with a grade of C or better and pass KIN 280.

  2. Complete two or more of the following fundamentals courses: KIN 230-238 or DANCE 211.

  3. Demonstrate character and desire to be a teacher – faculty will complete an evaluation form. 

  4. Write a letter describing your teaching philosophy.

Field experience

Student teaching is required for all students who wish to prepare as teachers. This field experience, in which the student teaches in real physical education settings under the guidance of a licensed teacher, ranges from 12 to 16 weeks in length with opportunities in both smaller and larger school systems, rural, urban, and overseas settings.

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