Bachelor of Science in Physical Education Teacher Education

Physical educators make an impact on the health, well-being, and quality of life of future generations. The Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program at WVU prepares students to teach, motivate, and shape the lives of Pre-K through adult learners in physical education, movement, wellness, and sport-based environments. Students in the PETE program learn to use and integrate technology into their classwork, gain hands-on, real world experience, and learn how to design and deliver physical education programs. Upon program completion, graduates are eligible for dual certification in PreK-adult Physical Education and 5-12 Health Education. Program graduates are physical activity and wellness leaders in their school, communities, and states who promote healthy, active lifestyles for children and adults alike. The WVU PETE faculty is proud of the strong undergraduate PETE program that is nationally accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). Major Learning Goals The goal of the program is for students to possess the skills to teach, motivate, and shape the lives of preK to adult learners in physical education, movement, wellness, and sport-based environments. Content Knowledge - Students will demonstrate knowledge and disciplinary concepts related to the promotion of physical education and physical activity. Reflection and Critical Thinking - Students will demonstrate reflection and critical thinking in order to refine professional practice. Programming and Assessment - Students will demonstrate evidence-based knowledge and skills (and best practices) for assessing student needs and for designing, implementing and evaluating lesson plans and programs. Professionalism and Ethics - Students will demonstrate professional behaviors, including commitment to excellence, valuing diversity and collaboration, service to others, and techniques for lifelong learning. Technology - Students will be able to demonstrate the use of different forms of technology to enhance and assess student learning. Career Profile Graduates teach and coach in schools and colleges across the United States and around the world. Some teach in institutions that offer specialized programming for those with severe impairments and disabilities. Graduates also work in summer camps and resorts, health spas, hospitals, senior citizen centers and other places that offer physical education and physical activity programs. Some physical education teachers become interscholastic sport coaches (middle school and secondary school teams) or youth sport coaches for community-based programs. With additional education and experience, physical education instructors can become school department heads or directors of physical education with school systems, counties or districts. Some physical education teachers become principals and school administrators. Physical education instructors with proven skills and a doctoral degree may become physical education teacher educators in colleges and universities. WVU offers master’s and doctoral degrees in Physical Education Teacher Education.