2025 Best Online Physical Education Degrees
An online physical education degree at the bachelor's level offers flexible learning that covers physical fitness, wellness, and sports management. Students gain knowledge in anatomy, kinesiology, and pedagogy while developing skills in organizing activities and promoting healthy lifestyles. Many programs include practical internships, equipping graduates to excel in various professional roles amid the growing need for qualified physical educators.
Key Takeaways:
- Eastern New Mexico University has a physical education degree online with a Sports and Recreation Management concentration. And overall, it hosts over 2,000 online students, making it a popular choice.
- William Carey University holds the best retention rate on our list of 79%. It also features a physical education online degree.
Our ranking methodology focuses on accredited schools with high online enrollment that each host a physical education degree online. This way you can choose from accredited options that are the most popular among remote students.
List Of Accredited Online Physical Education Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus | $8,843 | |
| Eastern Oregon University | 1,348 | $9,480 |
| Mayville State University | 515 | $8,145 |
| William Carey University | 502 | $14,850 |
| William Penn University | 275 | $13,500 |
2025 Best Online Physical Education Degrees
- Online Enrollment: 2,022 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $8,843
- Location: Portales (NM)
Online degree:
Why we like them: ENMU has a significant enrollment of 2,022 online learners. This achievement places it among the top 23% of institutions excelling in online enrollment, a testament to its appeal and accessibility for remote learners. This is further complemented by a recommendation rate of 91%, suggesting a high level of satisfaction among graduates. ENMU's online physical education degree has a concentration in Sports and Recreation Management and is complemented by internships, equipping students for careers such as athletic director or roles in professional sports organizations.
- Online Enrollment: 1,348 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $9,480
- Location: La Grande (OR)
Online degree:
Why we like them: EOU secures its position as a top choice largely due to its online enrollment numbers, ranking among the top 30% of institutions for online learners. This substantial enrollment underscores its appeal and accessibility for online students. EOU's physical education degree online is designed to prepare you for various roles in health education and sports. This comprehensive program comprises 180 credit hours, with a four-year completion timeline. It emphasizes career-ready skills, including sport psychology and management, through a curriculum featuring courses like Sport Skill Analysis and Teaching Team Sports.
- Online Enrollment: 515 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $8,145
- Location: Mayville (ND)
Online degree:
Why we like them: MSU accommodates online undergraduates with hundreds of distance learners currently enrolled at the school. The online physical education degree at MSU is specifically designed for K-12 teaching certification, featuring asynchronous classes for flexible learning. The curriculum includes First Aid, CPR, lifeguard training, and local teaching practicums, ensuring comprehensive preparation. It requires a minor, with options like Math or Biology.
- Online Enrollment: 502 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $14,850
- Location: Hattiesburg (MS)
Online degree:
Why we like them: WCU achieves a high retention rate of 79%, indicating a supportive environment that fosters academic success. The online physical education degree is designed to equip you with skills for promoting wellness and education, and it requires 128 total credit hours. Delivered entirely online through Canvas, a significant aspect of the program is its dual track in licensure and non-licensure, allowing you to tailor your career path towards teaching physical education and health in schools or becoming a recreational leader or fitness counselor.
- Online Enrollment: 275 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $13,500
- Location: West Des Moines (IA)
Online degree:
Why we like them: WPU has hundreds of students engaged in distance learning at the undergraduate level. The online Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education, Health, and Athletic Coaching is tailored for non-traditional students, and it includes endorsements in Special Education and Reading and strategic programs like Strategist to enhance teaching skills for Iowa educators. Dedicated academic advisors and placement coordinators ensure students receive personalized support throughout their educational journey.
Overview of Online Physical Education Degrees
Online physical education (PE) degrees are designed to prepare you to teach others the benefits of physical activity and healthy living. Courses cover topics in fitness and the health sciences, such as human anatomy, movement, injury prevention, team sport coaching, and nutrition. The curriculum may also explore the mind-body connection, motor skill development, and the impact of exercise on overall well-being.
Even fully online physical education degrees require an on-site student teaching practicum. This takes place at an approved school in your community under the supervision of an experienced teacher. This student teaching period is necessary to get a license to instruct K-12 physical education programs.
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement to become a licensed PE teacher. But an online master's degree in physical education might be a good option for you if you already have a bachelor's degree in another subject and want to launch your teaching career. Certain online teacher licensure programs assume that you're a working professional looking to switch careers, so they're designed with a certain level of flexibility in mind.
You can generally expect to take four years at a full-time pace to complete the 120-154 credit hours needed to graduate. However, an online PE program may take five years if it's designed to prepare you for K-12 teacher certification. Attending college at a part-time pace will also extend the degree.
Admission Requirements
Most schools require official high school transcripts or GED test scores to be eligible for enrollment. Many also have a minimum GPA requirement for college applicants, which is generally 2.0 or higher. Prerequisites vary by program but often include English, laboratory science, math, and social sciences.
Other admission requirements for first-year students may include the following:
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One year of a foreign language or fine arts
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SAT or ACT standardized test scores
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A personal essay or letter of intent
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A completed application and nonrefundable application fee of $30-90
Common Courses in Physical Education Programs
A bachelor's degree curriculum blends academic coursework with experiential learning so students can develop skills to nudge others toward physical fitness. Students interested in a specialization may also choose a minor or concentration, such as health and wellness, athletic coaching, or physical activity and sports performance.
Course titles and electives may change from program to program, but learning outcomes are similar. You're likely to take the following courses or something similar during a PE bachelor's degree.
Philosophy and Psychology of Coaching
This course examines the basic concepts of sports coaching, including creating player development plans and motivating individuals and teams. Enrollees may also study coaching ethics and how to work with populations with diverse backgrounds and physical abilities.
Teaching Assessment and Management of Physical Education
This class explores source materials and assessment tools to use when selecting activities, planning and organizing instruction, and developing physical education teaching plans in elementary school. Coursework may also include some classroom teaching.
Administration and Organization of Physical Education
Faculty aim to equip students with a basic theoretical and practical understanding of developing, organizing, and implementing physical education and athletic programs. Topics may include management and organizational structure, budgeting, and program evaluation.
The Care and Prevention of Sports Injuries
PE teachers need to understand the basic methods used to prevent, care for, and rehabilitate athletic injuries, which is this course's purpose. Instruction may also explain the trainer's role in their relationship with athletes to keep them fit and healthy.
Physical Education for the Exceptional Child
Course content includes the best practices in planning, implementing, and adapting existing physical education and activity programs for young learners with disabilities. Professors may also explore current administrative procedures, policies, and legislation.
Physical Education Careers
Administrators design PE programs with the goal of producing thoughtful, effective PE teachers. But there's some career variety in this field based on the age group that graduates teach. Some PE teachers earn in physical education to become more competitive in the job market, though it's unnecessary.
Besides teaching, PE program graduates may consider a few other careers in which their skills might prove useful. The list below details some of the popular career choices for graduates of PE bachelor's programs. All pay and job outlook data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' .
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
direct and instruct young students on positive lifestyle choices related to physical activity, exercise, and overall health.
Middle School Teachers
help shape the physical fitness of students ages 12-14. These typically teach more advanced sports and exercise skills than elementary students learn.
High School Teachers
means designing curricula and developing academic lesson plans for students to prepare them for entering the job market or secondary education.
Coaches
train and guide athletes to excel at their sport. They do this by developing training exercises and practice drills while preparing strategies for competition.
Fitness Trainers
work to increase the physical strength and stamina of clients through workout techniques, class instruction, and strength training. Most employers require trainers to hold one of many professional certifications for this occupation.
See our list of the most affordable online education degrees to find bachelor's programs suitable for any budget, and review the most affordable online master's degrees in PE to start planning for the future.
FAQs About Physical Education Degrees
Can You Get a Physical Education Degree Online?
Many colleges offer online PE teaching degrees. These programs usually feature asynchronous courses that don't require live class meetings. But all teacher-training degrees also have student teaching requirements, so you'll need to teach at a local school for a few months toward the end of the program to gain classroom experience.
Do You Need a Teaching Degree to Teach Physical Education?
You typically need an education or teaching degree to become a teacher. However, many states have alternative paths to teaching licensure to help them fill gaps in the teacher workforce. In such cases, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in another subject. This can help you qualify for provisional certification that lets you teach while you earn an education degree, such as an affordable master's degree in teaching.
How Long Does an Online Program in Physical Education Take To Complete?
College program pages will tell you that a bachelor's degree takes four years to complete with a full-time schedule. But less than half of undergraduates finish at this pace because many students work, take a part-time course load, or take leaves of absence to attend to personal matters. In addition, some PE teacher-preparation programs last more than four years in some states because student-teaching requirements take longer to satisfy.
Is a Physical Education Degree a BA or a BS?
PE degrees come in both bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS) varieties. The differences between them are minimal when it comes to required courses in the major. BAs may require slightly more humanities courses in the general education portion of a program, whereas BSs may call for a few more math and science classes.
What Else Should You Consider?
You can weigh many factors when deciding on a college path. As you research your options, ask yourself the questions below to help clarify what you want and whether a program might suit you.
Is This College Accredited?
Institutional accreditation helps ensure that a school has met quality education standards set by an independent agency. You typically need to attend an accredited college in order to receive federal financial aid or transfer credits to another accredited school. You can verify a school's accreditation status using the Department of Education's .
Is This Degree Program Accredited?
The (CAEP) evaluates the quality of individual teacher-training programs. It's generally not necessary to attend a CAEP-approved PE program to earn a license, but you should check your state's requirements using resources from the nonprofit .
Do I Want to Teach PE or Work In Another Exercise-related Profession?
It's important to set career goals so you can get the right education to help you meet them. For example, you may prefer to work as an helping injured patients or a who teaches communities about healthy lifestyle choices. In these cases, you might instead opt for a bachelor's degree in exercise science, a kinesiology degree, or a health education degree.
What Would My Dream College Offer?
Use your creativity to answer this question. Perhaps your ideal school provides a high level of financial aid, virtual support for a disability, and a particular professor whose work you respect. Or maybe you're more concerned with attending a hybrid program so you can have a mix of online and on-campus interaction. Think through your most important considerations and see which schools match them most closely.
Do I Want To Enroll In an Online Degree?
Online learning may be more flexible than in-person education, which requires you to be in a certain place at a specific time. Distance programs can help you balance school with work and anything else in your life. However, it's harder to build a professional network with people you never meet face to face, so you need to make sure you establish good working relationships while student teaching.
Student Reviews of Online Physical Education Programs
If you get financial aid, look elsewhere. They will take your money and not give you what they owe you back. Only person worth anything there is Dr. Nesbitt. She cares about your future. The others do not care about your future as a college should. Not worth the hassle to go to school here.
Review Date: 12/19/2023
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
Throughout my time spent at Adelphi I truly enjoyed my program. In regards to my education itself I feel I am fully prepared for the career I am seeking. The amount of support I had when I was enrolled in my university was amazing. However my thoughts and feelings of Adelphi all changed post graduation. I have had NO guidence getting certified as a teacher beyond the exams. I have had NO one reach out to me regarding my next steps in life. This university does not care about you post graduation.
Review Date: 9/15/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus is a place where not only science matter, but the arts and sport are giving great importance. Most commonly known as "El Colegio" the university will teach you your desire mayor area, but also love for your country and yourself. Is a great to evolve as a person and to also become an holistic member of society.
Review Date: 10/4/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Completing my bachelor's degree at Ferrum College was the best decision I could have made when looking for a school. The three and a half years I attended Ferrum were the most fulfilling and exciting years of my life thus far. I chose Ferrum because of the home-like feeling the campus gave me. Professors knew students by name, class sizes were no larger than 28 students, and there were always things to do on campus to have you involved with the school community. As a competitive athlete on the softball... Read More
Review Date: 7/2/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The University of Cincinnati as a whole was a fantastic place to drive personal growth. The Health Education program that I took part in however, lacked transparency in regards to the lack of earning potential. This was of no fault to the professors, they were great and helped me to really understand the sciences behind the human body but I felt that overall the program was lacking in terms of the quantity of those science based courses that truly contributed to the knowledge base that I would need... Read More
Review Date: 11/18/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The Kinesiology department and Physical Education teacher program at Cal State Fullerton were phenomenal. The professors were extremely knowledgable and supportive, providing a high-quality education and preparing us as future educators. Upon earning my degree, I felt extremely well-prepared to go into my career as a physical educator.
Review Date: 7/15/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The University of Florida is an incredible learning opportunity. As a Health education and Behavior major, I found my coursework to be interesting and my professors to be of the highest quality. I was able to partner with a professor my final year to work on a research paper and it has been extremely beneficial after graduation to have that experience.
Review Date: 3/28/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I had a unique experience at Montclair State University. During that time I was exposed to the realm of health and physical education ecosystem. I was taught by very knowledgeable professors who not only helped me academically but also were there during my time of emotional need after my Father passed away. The school did an excellent job in understanding and cooperating during the times of my family hardship.
Review Date: 9/18/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Great program if your goal is to become a physical education teacher, or sports coach. If that is not your goal then it is a pretty pointless degree. The program itself is full of great instructors that prepare you very well for what to expect as a teacher or coach. The university is small, and intimate. Its easy to get to know a lot of people there. The student base is diverse, and the campus is located in beautiful Miami Shores.
Review Date: 3/27/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Barry University is a fine institution. I studied Physical Education, and obtained my Bachelor's degree. The knowledge I gained from the program more than prepared me for the challenges I would face in the work-place. I do, however, believe that the degree I obtained was not the right choice for me. If you want to become a coach, P.E. teacher, or trainer, then it's a perfectly fine program.
Review Date: 3/16/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Love UTM! One of the best decisions I've ever made. I got very involved with different organizations on campus and that really helped me grow into the person I am now. My advisor is now one of my dear friends, and we still keep in contact. I go back every year, mostly for work, but always get to see some of my old teachers and that is just a testament to how much they truly care about you!
Review Date: 8/27/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Upper Iowa University was a great experience for me. it's a small university in which its easy to get extra help for schoolwork. Also, they have exellent programs for anyone would like to become and athletic trainer, coach, or administration. Also, its a great steppingstone for people who would like to pursue graduate school in any health field. For example, I am using my bachelors in fitness/wellness to pursue my doctorate in pharmacy.
Review Date: 6/10/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
It was a cheaper option than most schools. With the price came some compromise in quality of education and the entire experience. there's no such thing as a 4 year degree at this school.
Review Date: 5/31/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Bethel was a great place if you want to feel like you're a part of something bigger than just a University. Many opportunities that welcome newcomers regardless of past experiences. Awesome place to find out where you want your faith to lead you. The advisors were the best I have ever had.
Review Date: 2/6/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
South Carolina State University is a great school in the heart of Orangeburg, South Carolina. The school prepared first year students with campus life and getting acquainted with other students and different ethnicities. The professors help the students and prepare the students for their career paths and enable them with real life situations. What I love most about South Carolina State University is the student life and how supportive they are of sports and showing school spirit. I especially love... Read More
Review Date: 8/31/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Delta State University is an excellent school with a great small school atmosphere. Classes sizes are small and allow for a more personal experience. The instructors are caring and always helpful. The advisors treat you as an individual and help guide you throughout your selected program. I would highly recommend Delta State University!
Review Date: 8/7/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Whitewater is a backpack school surrounded by a great community. The sports programs and facilities are impeccable the business and education programs are the crowned jewels however you can obtain a quality education from whitewater in any field that they offer. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the university. the food the atmosphere, playing football, the bars and restaurants (pumpers and Mitchell's & Gus Pizza and Chicken) many memories and overall a good place worth checking out on your journey... Read More
Review Date: 9/26/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Wonderful time enjoying learning, trying new things and meeting new people. Really loved involving myself into the dance programs my school had to offer. Life long friends have come from school as well as many life experiences.
Review Date: 5/31/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Mississippi State is a great institution. However, I found that minorities tend to not get the same attention as their Caucasian peers. I saw a lot of minority students get caught up in the system. Some were suspended and others were told that they could no longer attend due to academic probation. My experience was not as such, but my downfall came in the form of an adviser who had no regard for my future. Please be attentive and take charge of your destiny. Fact check and don't assume that everything... Read More
Review Date: 6/26/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My college was thorough and did a good job in providing the necessary skills that I needed to become a Physical Education teacher. I did have a problem with some of the instructors. They seemed to have favorites and didn't really take the time to help me through my student teaching process. I did graduate and went on to teach physical education. I stayed home when I had my own little ones and now I am teaching Special Education in Hawaii.
Review Date: 4/29/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes