What Can I Do With a Physical Education Degree?

EDUCATION

Printable version (11KB)  ( PDF - Download Acrobat Reader )  

AREAS
K-12
Teaching:  Pre-school, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary
Administration:  Principalship, Superintendency
Special Services:  Reading, Title 1, Guidance Counseling, School Psychology, School Social Work, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Audiology and Speech Pathology, Library/Information Services, Special Education, English as a Second Language, Curriculum Supervision, Subject Area

EMPLOYERS
Elementary, middle and secondary schools: public, private, Montessori, etc.
Day care centers and nursery schools
Boards of Education

STRATEGIES
Complete a college level teacher preparation program. Obtain teaching certificate/license for desired subject area and/or grade level.  Requirements for certification/licensure vary by state. Obtain dual certification for better employability. Private schools may not require certification or licensure.  Obtain master's degree in subject area for increased employability. Get involved in student teacher organizations. Acquire teaching experience.  Obtain Ph.D. and certificate in school administration. Graduate study required for "special service" fields.  Obtain master's degree in area to become specialist.  Requirements for certification and/or accreditation vary by state. 

AREAS
HIGHER EDUCATION
Teaching
Research
Administration
Student Affairs
Information/Library Services

EMPLOYERS
Four-year colleges and universities
Two-year and community colleges
Technical schools
Medical and professional schools

STRATEGIES
Earn Ph.D. to teach and research at four-year institutions. Master's or Ph.D. degree is required to teach at two-year schools. Earn a Ph.D. in higher education administration for upper level positions in university administration. Earn master's in student personnel, student development, or counseling for student affairs positions. Obtain master's in library/information sciences. Gain related experience through student positions such as Resident Assistants, Orientation Leaders, etc.  Seek leadership roles in campus organizations.

AREAS
ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
Inservice Education
Staff Development
Professional Development
Leisure-oriented Education
GED Preparation
Literacy Development
English as a Second Language
Consulting

EMPLOYERS
K-12 school systems
Boards of Education
Colleges and universities
Two-year and technical schools
Community organizations:  YMCA, Red Cross, etc.
Correctional institutions
Hospitals
Museums
Professional associations
Nursing homes/Adult day care
Vocational services
Consulting Firms

STRATEGIES
Attain a master's or Ph.D. degree in adult education or a graduate degree in a subject or specialized area. Gain a reputation of expertise and experience in a subject, profession, art, craft or trade. Obtain teaching or instructional experience. Determine certification or accreditation standards for areas of interest.

AREAS
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Corporate Training
Human Resources
Sales
Customer Service
Publishing, Editing, and Technical Writing
Curriculum Development
Consulting

EMPLOYERS
Public and private corporations
Consulting firms
Marketing companies
Bookstores
Publishers: Textbook, newspaper, magazine, book
Test-preparation companies
Software companies
Staffing agencies

STRATEGIES
Take some general business and computer courses. Earn a graduate degree in human resource development. Gain experience in organizational development or marketing. Become current with business and industry literature and news.
Develop strong word processing, editing, and desktop publishing skills.

AREAS
GOVERNMENT
Administration
Planning
Evaluation
Management
Research and Writing
Teaching
Social Work

EMPLOYERS
Federal government agencies: Department of Education, Department of Defense, Overseas schools for military dependents, Department of Labor, Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), Health and Human Services, Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Peace Corps, Americorps, Social service agencies,  State and local government

STRATEGIES
Learn federal, state, and local job application procedures. Gain experience and an advanced, typically Ph.D, degree for high-level positions in government.

AREAS
NONPROFIT
Teaching or Training
Programming
Public Relations
Administration
Fundraising
Case Managing
Lobbying

EMPLOYERS
Adoption agencies
Scouts
Camps
United Way agencies
YMCA/YWCA
Group homes
Mental health clinics
Hospitals
Community recreation centers
Other public or private social service organizations
State/national professional associations

STRATEGIES
Gain experience through volunteer work or internships. Develop writing and public speaking skills. Learn to work with people of various backgrounds. Add additional coursework in area of interest such as human services, counseling or psychology. Consider certification in special education for greater employability.  Seek grant writing experience to increase opportunities.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Develop excellent communication skills, verbal and written. 

Develop good computer skills. 

Demonstrate enthusiasm and energy for the field. 

Need desire to work with and help people. 

Obtain part-time, summer, internship, or volunteer experience with the age group you intend to work with in various settings:  pre-schools, daycares, camps, community agencies, adult centers, YMCA's, etc. 

Participate in co-curricular activities and related organizations to broaden skills, interests, and opportunities.  

Bachelor's degree is sufficient for certification/licensure to teach K-12 in most states. Obtain a master's degree for advancement and increased earning potential.  Advanced degree required for specialists, education administration, college teaching and other professional positions. 

Maintain current knowledge of state and national legislation regarding teacher licensure.

Identify transferable skills learned in teaching applicable to alternative careers:  effective communication with people, verbal and written, teaching and instruction, program planning, organization and record-keeping, working under pressure and meeting deadlines, motivational skills, creativity, working autonomously, decision-making, problem solving, and research skills. 

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  (1996, Revised 2002, 2007)  UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer

Printable version (11KB)  ( PDF - Download Acrobat Reader )