Inspire Healthy Habits: Get Your K–12 Teacher Certification MEd in Health and Physical Education
If kids learn healthy life habits when they're young, they're more likely to keep these habits as an adult. Health and physical education teachers are an essential part of establishing regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence to support lifelong health and well-being.
Earning your K–12 Teacher Certification MEd in Health and Physical Education will give you the tools and skills you need to teach school-age children how to be healthy and stay active.
What You'll Learn
You'll study contemporary trends in education, including strategies for using technology in the classroom to support student learning. IUP's master in teacher certification in health and physical education (HPE) is designed to qualify you to become a certified K–12 health and physical education teacher.
Our degree program is ideal if you're a:
- Current teacher in HPE who wants to broaden your knowledge base and teaching skills.
- Current teacher in a different subject area who wants to add another certification.
- Any college graduate in any major who wants to become a health and physical education teacher.
There are two ways to work through the program:
- A hybrid option that combines on-campus classes in the summer with online classes the rest of the year.
- On-campus classes that cater to full-time students.
The K–12 teacher certification in health and physical education, combined with student teaching, can be completed in as little as 18 months so you can start teaching right away.
Imagine Your Future
Pennsylvania Teacher Certification is accepted in nearly every state. This gives you many opportunities to explore K–12 teaching positions anywhere in the US.
The K–12 Teacher Certification MEd in Health and Physical Education program leads to two separate teacher certifications:
- Health Education
- Physical Education
And you can add a safety education/driver’s education teacher certification to your teaching license. IUP is the only institution in Pennsylvania that offers this particular certification opportunity.
Curious where you can apply your master's in health and physical education outside of the classroom? Consider:
- Adapted physical activity
- Adventure tourism
- Aquatics
- Coaching
- Community outreach
- Parks and recreation
- Wellness
- Women’s health
Classes and Requirements
Many of our graduate students are working professionals. That's why the majority of the coursework for the master in K–12 teacher certification in health and physical education program can be done online—so it's convenient for your busy schedule.
To support what you learn in class, you'll attend a four-week summer residency at IUP and complete a 6- to 12-credit student-teaching experience.
If you're a teacher certified in another area but want to add health and physical education to your credentials, you'll complete just six credit hours of student teaching.
If you're certified in another K–12 content area, no student teaching is necessary, but you will have to complete an internship.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
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Program Innovation, Real-World Success Elevate Each Class
The Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science faculty members bring decades of real-world experience to the classroom. Prior to arriving at IUP, they coached athletic teams, operated fitness training centers, and learned first-hand the rigors of working with hospitals to rehabilitate injured athletes and cardiac patients.
Their excellent advisory assistance will help you choose a lasting career in coaching, fitness center management, corporate wellness, or other sports-industry sectors.
- Our professors continue to expand their scholarly achievements by presenting research at regional and national events.
- IUP professors have established innovative programs, such as the home school program and Special Needs Activity Program, which give you opportunities that enhance your résumé.
- Guidance is a key ingredient our professors bring to your graduate program, helping you make the right choices so you can excel as you complete your degree.
- Active participation in academic and professional circles allows our professors to build a network of potential internship sponsors.
Ashley McAteer ’13, Health and Physical Education
IUP was the best overall fit for me academically and athletically. The professors are very knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely care about their students.
Professional Practice for Teacher Certification (6–12 credits)
Are you interested in being certified as a health and physical education teacher? You'll show you're ready to be in front of a classroom through a student-teaching experience (and it's required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education).
You'll be eligible to enroll in the six-credit student teaching courses when you can show acceptable levels of knowledge, skills, and disposition. The Health and Physical Education Graduate Pedagogy Committee will review your graduate record to make sure you've met all requirements to move ahead with certification.
What if you haven't met the requirements? While you won't be allowed to student teach, you'll still earn a degree but without the Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate.
Student Teaching Abroad
If you're interested in what it's like to teach outside of the 50 states, you can pursue student-teaching experiences in other territories and countries.
The K–12 teacher certification in health and physical education program's most recent partnership is with Puerto Rico, where you'll student teach at a school on a US military base.
Add Teacher Certifications
The health and physical education program works with other IUP programs to give you opportunities to earn additional certifications. Common certificates you could add include:
- Safety Education/Driver's Education
- Special Education
Admission Requirements—Teacher Education
To be admitted to the Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science Department, the applicant must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and must fulfill the general requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies and Research for a master's degree.
A minimum TOEFL score of 540 (paper-based) which converts to a computer-based score of 193 is necessary for international students.
Other admission requirements to be admitted to the K-12 Teacher Certification program include:
- Fulfillment of requirements set by the College of Education and Communications.
For more specific information related to the application process, visit the website of the IUP School of Graduate Studies and Research.
Graduate students may be eligible to finance their education through student loan programs, the Federal Work Study Program, state university employment, and/or graduate assistantships. For more information, please visit Financing Your Education.