Students who study physical education are enthusiastic, physically fit, patient and excellent communicators. They go on to make a difference in the lives of those around them, inspiring a lasting love of fitness and health. Physical educators teach basic motor skills, games, fitness activities and the social skills related to participating in sports. They positively influence their students both physically and mentally, and encourage competition and cooperation.
The Physical Education major is designed for students who have a love of physical education and a special interest in working in sport and exercise activities. The program provides excellent preparation for careers in school physical education programs and other related agencies such as YMCAs, YWCAs, boys and girls clubs, and city or town public and private recreation programs and clubs. The major emphasizes studies in exercise science, instructional philosophy, and pedagogical analysis and techniques. The hallmark of this distinctive program is extensive clinical field experiences in public schools and professional agencies. A Physical Education minor is available to non-PE majors.
Students majoring in Physical Education can take the Pre-K12 concentration in teacher certification, which includes 30 credits required to meet Connecticut State Certification requirements. In addition to the senior year student teaching course, students in the certification concentration are also involved in at least two off-campus practicum/seminar courses taught by physical educators currently teaching in area public schools.
View Physical Education Major: BS Degree Requirements Details
The Physical Education Studies Concentration is designed for students who have a love of physical education and a special interest in working in sport and exercise activities but who are not planning to become physical education teachers. In lieu of student teaching and clinical experiences, students in this Concetration take a minor and an internship.
View Physical Education Major: BS Degree Requirements Details
$72,440
Mean salary, Physical Education Teacher in USA
$79,980
Mean salary, Physical Education Teacher in CT
Eastern’s physical education majors are frequent recipients of state and regional awards for excellence, and many earn scholarships and special recognition at professional conferences.
Faculty mentor students in professional activities such as presentations at state and regional workshops, symposia and conferences.
Students also perform extensive fieldwork as teachers in Connecticut public and private schools, or as interns with local park and recreation departments and teams at the collegiate and professional level.
Recent Eastern students who earned a bachelor’s degree or a minor in physical education are employed in schools and sport-related businesses throughout the country. Alumni have also earned doctoral degrees from many universities including Columbia University, Ohio State University, the University of North Carolina, West Virginia University and the University of Maryland.
Two students from Eastern Connecticut State University recently traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, for the SHAPE America National Convention — the nation’s leading convention for health and physical education professionals. Jessica Pyrek-Bennett ’24 and Isiah Lovell ’24 received the Outstanding Future Professional Award this past fall, qualifying them for recognition as Major of the Year at the national convention.
