Is this the career for you?

Brief History

Physical education was introduced in colleges by physicians who were concerned about the health and physical development of the students. Schools added it to their curricula for health and physical development reasons combined with the understanding that play is the child's work and through physically active play children learn about the world around them. Today, regular physical activity and good nutrition are considered to be essential good health and reducing the incidence of major disease. The U.S. Department of Health has identified physical education in the schools as a primary source for providing all children with regular physical activity and information on healthy lifestyles. Physical education is found in schools in every community across the nation and touches virtually every child in the country.

Facilities

The University of Texas provides a variety of excellent facilities in which to study. Gregory Gymnasium, Anna Hiss Gymnasium, Bellmont Hall, the Texas Swim Center, and the Intramural Fields provide outstanding sites for physical activity classes. Classrooms and laboratories for the study of the body and human movement are found in Bellmont Hall (Memorial Stadium). A computer laboratory allows students in biomechanics classes to experiment with changes in forces and angles of projection to understand optimal performance for coaching and teaching applications. The Undergraduate Library and the Perry Castenada Library provide access to the latest journals and books in the field as well as access to computerized data bases on sport, education, health, and medicine.

Career Opportunities

Teacher certification provides the opportunity for employment in virtually every community in the nation as well as a host of overseas opportunities.

Secondary school certification in Texas requires preparation in two subject fields. Graduates are prepared to teach physical education and another field (math, history, etc.) Most positions at the secondary level also provide the opportunity for the teacher to coach one or more sports.

All-level certification provides the opportunity to teach physical education in elementary schools as well as middle and high schools, but does not provide for a second teaching field. For those who enjoy working with enthusiastic children in a subject they love, this is a great career.

In addition to majoring in kinesiology, Applied Learning and Development majors (elementary classroom certification) can elect kinesiology as their academic specialization. They are certified to teach all subjects in the elementary school and often obtain positions as elementary physical education specialists.

Professional positions currently held by our alumni

Recent graduates have gotten jobs in school districts around Austin (Austin ISD, Eanes ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Leander ISD, Del Valle ISD, Manor ISD), across Texas (Irving ISD, Spring Branch, Plano ISD, Laredo ISD, etc.), and around the nation (California, New Mexico, Colorado). They hold a range of positions from teaching elementary physical education to teaching journalism and physical education classes in the high school and being head basketball coach.

Others have moved from teaching to hold positions as physical education coordinators, principals, and college instructors.