B.S. Physical Education Teacher Education

Create brighter futures through physical education

Physical education teachers transform lives. For many children, they’re the first adults to promote healthy, active lifestyles.

Studying at IU Indianapolis puts you in the nation’s first physical education teacher education program. Knowledge gained is grounded on the guidelines of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education and other professional recommendations. Upon graduation, you’ll meet all standards of the Indiana Department of Education and earn an all-grade Indiana teacher’s license for physical education.

Along the way, you’ll fulfill student teaching and become a member of the nation’s foremost advocates for physical activity.

Meet the faculty in this area

Explore the curriculum

Learn about student teaching

Calculate program costs

Learn how to apply

What jobs can you land after graduating?

  • After school program director
  • Athletic administrator
  • Community health educator
  • Director of school-based physical activity program
  • Director of sports programming
  • Health teacher or educator
  • Interscholastic sports coach
  • Physical education teacher (K–12)
  • Youth camp director
  • Youth sports coach
Curtis Keppel

By studying physical education teacher education [PETE], I hope to strongly impact students to be the best version of themselves physically, emotionally, and cognitively.

Curtis Keppel, PETE student

20%Expected growth rate of coaches & scouts from 2021 to 2031

$57,450U.S. average salary for coaches & scouts

Where are people landing jobs after graduation?

Graduates are landing jobs right out of school at places such as:

  • Grand Park Fieldhouse: Westfield, Ind.
  • Greenfield Central Community Schools: Greenfield, Ind.
  • Indianapolis Public Schools: Indianapolis, Ind.
  • San Manuel Jr. Sr. High School: San Manuel, Ariz.
  • The Oaks Academy: Indianapolis, Ind.
  • Wayne Township Schools, Indianapolis, Ind.

However, you can find our program graduates throughout the state and beyond in a variety of cities and rural destinations. Health and physical education teachers are needed in schools everywhere.