kinesiology majors in group photo
What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Total for the teacher certification and sport coaching programs are 120 semester hours.

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

Students may enter the program in the Fall semester.

  • Fall: March 1

Health and Physical Education, B.S.E.

Georgia State University’s Health and Physical Education B.S.E with a teacher certification concentration prepares teachers to educate pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students about physical and motor skills, individual and team sport skills and tactics, physical fitness, nutrition, and health to encourage active lifestyles across the lifespan. Students complete prerequisite classes and apply to the program in the spring of their sophomore year. After completing a series of activity and content classes in both physical education and health education, students will have the opportunity to complete methods of teaching classes in four settings (elementary, secondary, adapted physical education, and health education). Students gain full-time semester-long student teaching placements at both an elementary and secondary (middle or high school). Students who earn teaching certification can serve in a head coach position in public schools in Georgia.

Sport Coaching is teaching in an athletic venue instead of a classroom.  This program merges theoretical understanding of psychological, scientific, and pedagogical aspects of coaching with practical experiences to prepare students to succeed in coaching at all levels of sport. Students apply to the program in the spring of their sophomore year. Practical experiences in field-based settings with professional and community coaches, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches underlie the application of theory and practice. The curriculum follows the knowledge and skills outlined by The Society of  Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) National Standards for Sport Coaches preparing students to be effective leaders and advocates of athletes regardless of the sport. This concentration does not lead to initial teacher certification. Students graduating with a concentration in sport coaching are not currently eligible to serve as head coach in a public school K-12 setting.

Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.

Program Highlights

Why Study Health and Physical Education at Georgia State?

Listen as Georgia State student Maya Barkley shares why she decided to study Health and Physical Education at Georgia State and what makes Georgia State’s program different than any other program.

Program Details

Admissions Requirements

  • minimum 2.50 overall grade point average on all coursework previously completed recommended for admission to sports coaching concentration — minimum 2.50 overall grade point average on all undergraduate coursework previously completed recommended for admission to Sport Coaching
  • successfully completed all Core IMPACTS and Field of Study courses: apply as you near completion of these courses

As part of the application process for the Teacher Certification concentration, you must also complete or do the following:

  • Take the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (360)
  • Purchase Tort Liability and upload proof of Tort Liability with your application. It is recommended that HPE majors obtain their tort liability from GAHPERD.
  • Complete the online application

As part of the application process for the Sport Coaching, you must also complete or do the following:

  • Order and pass a background check — submit proof as part of the application.
  • Purchase Tort Liability and upload proof of Tort Liability with your application. It is recommended that HPE majors obtain their tort liability from GAHPERD.
  • Complete the online application

Program of Study

Coursework focuses on sport psychology, human movement, principles and philosophy of coaching, long term athlete development, coaching athletes with disabilities, nutrition, conditioning, principles of organization and management of sport programs, safety/injury prevention and internships.

B.S.E. in Health and Physical Education

Core IMPACTS Recommendations

Students must complete 42 semester hours for Core IMPACTS. ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, and MATH 1001 (or higher) must be completed with “C” or higher grades.

Semester hours are shown in parentheses following an entry.

Field of Study (18 hours)

Students must complete Field of Study coursework with a grade of “C-” or higher prior to program admission to teacher education. Courses include KH 2122 Applied Health and Wellness (3), KH 2130 Introduction to Kinesiology and Health (3), and KH 2211 Movement Sciences for Practitioners (3)

Major Courses (53-56 hours)

Teacher Certification and Sport Coaching students will complete content courses including KH 3020 Fitness and Physical Activity (3) and KH 3200 Instructional Skills for Physical Education and Physical Activity Professionals (3).

Teacher Certification students will also complete methods and curriculum courses including KH 3410 Assessment in Health and Physical Education (3) and KH 3420 Curriculum in Health and Physical Education (3).

Sport Coaching students will complete methods and curriculum courses including KH 3630 Principles and Philosophy of Coaching (3) and KH 4210 Current Trends & Issues in Sport Coaching (3).

Internship and Student Teaching (10 hours)

Teacher Certification students will complete student teaching in the final semester of the program while Sport Coaching students will complete an internship.

Students must post passing scores on the GACE Content Assessment, Georgia Educator Ethics – Program Exit (360) Assessment, and edTPA in order to be recommended by Georgia State University for clear, renewable certification.

Teacher Certification students must post passing scores on the GACE Content Assessment, and the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (360) in order to be recommended by Georgia State University for clear, renewable certification.

Total Program Teacher Certification concentration: minimum of 120 semester hours

For complete degree requirements, visit the catalog.

Program Financial Information

B.S.E. majors must pay all tuition and fees charged by the university and the college. A lab fee of $125 will be charged at the time students register for the student teaching/internship experience. Students must be aware that extra cost such as fees for LiveText, tort liability, criminal background check, edTPA,  and transportation will be incurred at various times during the completion of various field experiences, particularly during the students’ senior year. The cost of the edTPA portfolio submission is $300.00, which will be associated with student teaching.

Career Outcomes

Our program merges theoretical understanding of psychological, scientific and pedagogical aspects of coaching with practical experiences to prepare you to succeed in coaching at all levels of sport.

Careers in Teaching Health and Physical Education

We prepare students to be effective health and physical education teachers. Possible teacher certification careers include:

  • Health educator in K-12 public or private schools
  • Physical educator in K-12 public or private schools
  • Head coach in middle and secondary public or private schools
  • School staff wellness team leader

Group of Catchball Teachers

Coach with three student athletes

Careers in Sport Coaching

We prepare students to be effective coaches and recreational programming directors. Possible sport coaching careers include:

  • Recreational youth sport coach
  • Club coach
  • Elite youth development coach
  • Community coaches in K-12 public schools or Head Coaches in selected Private K-12 Schools.
  • Collaborators with strength and conditioning and athletic training staff
  • Summer Camp Directors
  • Boys and Girls Club Directors
  • Pre-physical or occupational therapy
  • Parks and Recreation Directors

Contacts

Kinesiology and Health
[email protected]
404-413-8050

Mailing Address & Office Location
Georgia State Sports Arena
125 Decatur Street SE
Suite 137
Atlanta, GA 30303

College of Education Logo30 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303