Major/ Career Connections
Major Profile: Physical Education (SER)
School of Physical Education & Tourism Management
Social Interest Cluster
Is Physical Education for me?
Find out by answering the following questions. If you answer yes to most of them, read on to learn more. If not, try
one of the other Major Profiles (http://uc.iupui.edu/students/academics/mccs.asp).
No
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Are you social, enterprising or realistic (see Interest Cluster sheets)?
Do you have good communication and motor skills?
Do you have manual dexterity?
Do you enjoy physical activity and sports?
Do you have leadership ability?
Do you like working with people?
Did you like health and biology courses?
Have you ever coached a team or had a desire to?
Yes
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What is Physical Education?
Physical Education is the study of how the human body is affected by physical activity. The curriculum provides for
movement skill and fitness education, and for early, frequent, and continuous teaching experiences in school and
community settings.
What Courses Will I Take?
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Motor learning
Anatomy & Physiology
Exercise Physiology
Sports/ Activities courses
Measurement and evaluation
Motor Development
Biomechanics
Sports Psychology
Curriculum Development
Methods of Instruction for K-12
Student Teaching/Internship
What are Some Related Majors?
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Air Traffic Controller (SER)
Education, General (SER)
Law Enforcement (SER)
Teaching English as a 2nd Language (SER)
Occupational Therapy (SRE)
Business Marketing (ESR)
Higher Education Administration (ESR)
Public Administration (ESR)
Labor/ Personnel Relations and Studies
(ESR)
Real Estate (ESR)
Sport & Fitness Administration (ERS)
What Skills Will I Develop?
In this major you will learn to teach and supervise physical activity for all age ranges; demonstrate and analyze
techniques; evaluate physical capabilities and needs of students; and administer corrective exercise and physical
conditioning. Students will become capable of analyzing, synthesizing, and applying scientific knowledge to physical
education in practice.
Where Could I Work?
Almost half of all physical education majors work in the primary and secondary education system. A significant portion
of others work in private for-profit businesses. Others are self-employed, work for the government, or in non-profit
organizations (The College Majors Handbook, 2004).
University College, IUPUI
Revised 5/10
What Job Opportunities Exist?
Related Careers
According to a national survey of college graduates most graduates from bachelor’s level physical education programs
work in fields that are somewhat related to their undergraduate studies. Many work as secondary or elementary school
teachers (The College Majors Handbook, 2004). Some pursue one of the following career options. Those with an *
may require an advanced degree.
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Activities Director
Camp Director
Nutrition Specialist
Adventure/Risk Trainer
Cardiovascular Fitness
Instructor
Physical Therapist*
Aquatic Management
Community Recreation
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Protective Service
Operations
Athletic Coach
Corporate Fitness
Instructor
Post-secondary
Professors
Strength & Conditioning
Coach
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Athletic DirectorCollege/ University*
Cruise Recreation
Manager
Real Estate Agent
Athletic Trainer
Elementary Teacher
Secondary Teacher
Employment Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics job opportunities for teachers through 2016 will vary from good to
excellent, depending on the locality, grade level, and subject taught (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09). Most
other occupations that employ physical education graduates are expected to grow at a slow rate (The College Majors
Handbook, 2004).
Salary Expectations
The average starting salary for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in physical education is $32,758 (NACE, 2009).
Median annual earnings of kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers ranged from $43,580 to
$48,690 (OOH, 2008-09).
What Graduate/Professional School Opportunities Exist?
Over 40% of all physical education majors purse post-graduate education (The College Majors Handbook, 2004). Some
pursue studies in one of the following teaching or non-teaching areas:
Teaching Options
Adapted/ Developmental Phys. Education
Athletic Training
Physical Education
Sports/ Athletic Administration
Non-teaching Options
Business
Exercise Physiology
Journalism/ Communications
Physical Therapy/ Sports Medicine
Where Can I Get More Information?
IUPUI School of Physical Education
Academic Advising at IUPUI
Career Counseling at IUPUI
Jobs/ Associations/ Other Resources
American Alliance for Health, PE, Recreation, & Dance
Indiana Association of Health, PE, Recreation, & Dance
National Association for Sport and Physical Education
University College, IUPUI
http://petm.iupui.edu/
Office: PE 250
Phone: 274-0600
http://uc.iupui.edu/students/academics/index.asp
http://uc.iupui.edu/students/career/index.asp
http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/physed.htm
http://www.aahperd.org/
http://www.indiana-ahperd.org/
http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/
Revised 5/10