A healthy body supports a healthy mind, and with a master’s degree in health and physical education, you can help students as they learn to develop healthy habits. This role is crucial to student success, as you’ll give them the tools they need to live active, healthy lives, while also teaching self discipline and teamwork: important skills for life.
How a Master’s Degree in Health and Physical Education Benefits Educators
An advanced degree in health and physical education is a smart move for teachers, as it is a great resource for learning how to better serve students in health education. Often, teachers who have earned a master’s degree in health and physical education find that they receive better pay and opportunities, such as roles in competitive sports positions or athletic administration. You’ll also enjoy increased career flexibility, as a master’s degree will help you stand out and compete for high profile jobs in sports education.
What You’ll Learn in a Health and Physical Education Master’s Degree Program
Graduate-level programs in physical education challenge candidates to dig deeper into research related to human health and fitness. In most cases, schools build a syllabus around core education courses—for example, teaching methods, coaching theory and curriculum development—then focus on a specialty such as sports management, adapted physical education or exercise science. Courses often include:
- Motor Learning
- Human Kinetics
- Sport Skills Assessment
- Sports Psychology
Schools Offering an Online Master’s Degree in Physical Education
Master’s degree programs in physical education fall under several categories, including master of education, master of arts and master of science. Each has its own unique slant. For example:
- The University of Central Missouri offers a master of science in kinesiology with three areas of specialization. Of those, the pedagogy/teaching and sports management options can be completed online. If you choose to specialize in sports management, you even have the choice between an internship and a thesis.
- Physical education teachers and administrators may also want to explore the online master of education in physical education from the University of Houston. In addition to courses on physiology and mechanics, the curriculum includes hot topics such as urban fitness programming and sport finance.
Career Opportunities in Health & Physical Education
In today’s hyper-competitive climate, many public schools will ask you to gain a master’s degree in physical education, often within the first few years of your career, so this degree may help you qualify for work in K-12 health and physical education roles. But there are more opportunities than what’s available inside the classroom, including community health initiatives, corporate roles, and even freelance work in health and fitness. Outside of the classroom, qualified graduates have found work as:
- personal trainers
- community health education coordinators
- rehabilitation specialists
- corporate health promotion managers
- recreational therapists
Sports-based businesses, including media and professional sports organizations, may also be looking for a master’s degree on a candidate’s resume.
