The Best Online Physical Education (PE) Degrees
Discover how you can become a physical education teacher by earning your undergraduate or graduate degree through one of today’s best online physical education degree programs. Learn about curriculum, program costs, content delivery methods, and degree completion times.
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Ranking the Best Online Physical Education Degrees
If you have an interest in teaching physical education classes, coaching school sports teams, or pursuing a career in the sports industry, an online degree in physical education can be an excellent fit. But how do you know which programs are best? To help, we researched programs from across the country to identify those with the best combinations of quality, affordability, and learning flexibility. See which colleges scored the most points in our ranking below.
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
Public
Jackson State University
Jackson, Mississippi
Public
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Public
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, New Mexico
Public
University of West Alabama
Livingston, Alabama
Public
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Public
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney, Nebraska
Public
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Public
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, Kansas
Public
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas
Public
Utah State University
Logan, Utah
Public
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
Public
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
Public
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, Alabama
Public
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho
Public
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Public
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, Missouri
Public
SUNY Brockport
Brockport, New York
Public
Westfield State University
Westfield, Massachusetts
Public
Mayville State University
Mayville, North Dakota
Public
Chicago State University
Chicago, Illinois
Public
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California
Private
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California
Private
Faulkner University
Montgomery, Alabama
Private
North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, Iowa
Public
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Wesson, Mississippi
Public
Carl Albert State College
Poteau, Oklahoma
Public
East Mississippi Community College
Scooba, Mississippi
Public
Hudson Valley Community College
Troy, New York
Public
Can You Earn a Physical Education Degree Online?
Online physical education degrees are available with flexible learning options to meet the needs of students. Hybrid or blended course formats are offered where students attend in-person kinesthetically-focused classes and complete remaining academic or theory-heavy classes online. Alternatively, fully online physical education programs are available at associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels. These programs offer coursework delivered through online learning platforms, followed by hands-on training through internships, clinical placements, and service-learning opportunities. In the following sections, we explore the different types of online physical education degrees available.
Online Associate Degree in Physical Education
The two-year associate degree in physical education serves as a stepping stone for students who want to continue their education and pursue a four-year degree. This degree equips students with foundational knowledge in physical sciences, sports studies, physical education, and related fields. In addition to physical education classes, you will also take liberal arts courses such as biology, chemistry, psychology, and health. Many students choose to earn an associate degree to gain a comprehensive introduction to the field before moving on to a more advanced four-year bachelor’s program. Fortunately, credits earned in an accredited associate degree program can usually transfer to a bachelor’s program, particularly those earned in general education classes.
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education
If you’re interested in becoming a physical education teacher or working in education more broadly, a bachelor’s degree in physical education is a great place to start. These programs typically offer coursework in classroom management, effective communication, and leadership skills necessary to succeed as a teacher. In addition to learning about physical education and healthy living, students in these programs also learn how to teach basic to advanced physical education topics. However, a bachelor’s degree in physical education also opens doors to many other careers beyond teaching, including nonprofit work, wellness counseling, and fitness coaching. With this degree, you’ll have a solid foundation to succeed in a variety of fields related to physical education and health.
Online Master’s Degree in Physical Education
If you want to take your physical education career to the next level, consider earning a master’s degree. These programs allow you to refine your teaching skills and gain advanced training in a specialized area of the field, making you a more competitive candidate in the job market and increasing your earning potential. To be eligible for these programs, you typically need an undergraduate degree in physical education, kinesiology, or a related field. A master’s degree in physical education can also qualify you for work outside of the classroom, such as in health consulting, life coaching, sports management, and other related fields.
Online Physical Education Degree Program FAQs
With the recent expansion of online learning opportunities and wealth of information available on the internet, it can be difficult to discern valuable information sources from clever advertising or generally uninformed content. In the section below, we have answered a series of important questions to consider for all prospective online physical education degree seekers.
How do you become a certified physical education teacher?
After completing a bachelor’s degree in physical education or a related field and a student teaching internship in a physical education setting, you will need to take your state’s physical education certification exam. Most states require three Praxis tests on academic skills, subject assessments, and teaching knowledge. This exam ensures that you have obtained the minimum standard of education and knowledge to effectively teach in your subject area. Aspiring physical education teachers can obtain certification in several categories such as early childhood education, K-12 instruction, and special needs populations. After passing the exams, you need to apply for a state teaching license.
How long do you have to go to school to be a PE teacher?
The amount of time you spend in school is significantly related to your desired career path. In most cases, to secure a physical education teaching position in a public or private school, you will need a bachelor’s degree. Your bachelor’s degree, coupled with the required student teaching or internship hours, may take four or more years to complete. If you enroll as a part-time learner, it will take longer to complete all of the required coursework before you can register for student teaching experiences and proceed with state certification exams and licensure.
How much does an online degree in physical education cost?
The cost of your physical education degree depends on the length of the program, type of school, and your availability each semester. Distance students enrolled in self-paced, asynchronous online programs can sometimes get through course materials more quickly than students in cohort learning formats or traditional on-campus classes. Sometimes colleges and universities offer tuition discounts when a student takes more credits per semester than the standard full-time amount. Tuition fees and regulations vary per school, and each program will likely offer some kind of time- or money-saving option. The table below offers a look at the typical number of credits and cost for online college degrees in physical education.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University | 120 (B.S.) | $455 | $54,600 |
| University of Arkansas | 33 (M.Ed.) | $506 (Resident) | $16,721 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | 30 (M.S.) | $550 | $16,500 |
| Coastline Community College | 60 (A.A.) | $46 (resident) / $412 (non-resident) | $2,580 (resident) / $24,720 (non-resident) |
| Allen Community College | 64 (A.A.) | $75 (resident) / $95 (non-resident) | $4,800 (resident) / $6,080 (non-resident) |
What is the salary of a PE teacher?
Your earning potential as a physical education teacher varies by state, position, and your level of experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the lowest 10% of high school teachers earn less than $48,040, while the highest 10% earn more than $106,380 in 2023 while the median salary is $65,220. Similarly, middle school teachers earned comparable wages during the same year, with the lowest 10% earning a median income of $47,490, and the highest 10% earning more than $104,410. The median salary for middle school teachers was $64,890 in 2023. An added bonus of pursuing a career as a physical education teacher is the likelihood of coaching options and related activities to increase your income.
Are physical education teachers in demand?
The outlook for physical education teachers remains steady. According to Projections Central, an employment research site partially funded by a U.S. Department of Labor grant, the number of teaching positions in secondary education institutions should increase by 7.8% by 2030. At this rate, that equates to 78,000 new jobs. Given that the average growth for all other careers in the U.S. is 7.4% by 2026, the career outlook for physical education degree-holders looks promising.