Castleton University will join with Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College to become Vermont State University on July 1, 2023.
Visit VermontState.edu to learn more about Physical Education for fall 2023.
Learn More and Apply
Current information appears on Castleton University pages for students entering in and prior to the 2022-2023 academic year.
Castleton University’s Physical Education program has a long history of preparing educators to deliver quality physical education in our schools. It is also known for teaching professionals to provide health, recreation, and fitness opportunities within our communities.
Students who wish to teach in schools apply for admittance into our rigorous teacher preparation program, which prepares candidates for teacher licensure. The program culminates with a semester-long student teaching experience.
Area employers are aware of the University’s enduring reputation and commitment to producing exceptional health and physical education teachers.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Phil Hall used his Physical Education degree to enter school administration
Highlights of the Program
- Physical Education majors gain quality off-campus experience throughout the program. Starting in your first year, you can begin working with students in local schools across a variety of age groups
- As a student, you can take advantage of professional development opportunities by attending state, regional, and national conferences, and by participating in a workshop series organized by faculty
Physical Education Concentrations
Elementary and Secondary Education
You will earn Physical Education Teacher Licensure for grades pre- K-12. Standards for the program are aligned with the teacher education guidelines of the Society of Health and Physical Educators of America and the Vermont Agency of Education.
Health and Physical Activity Promotion
Health and Physical Activity Promotion will prepare for careers in non- school settings such as public health departments, government agencies, hospitals, and medical centers, youth programs and camps, fitness centers, recreation departments, and non- profit community organizations.
You can choose minors in Adventure Recreation, Coaching, Fitness Science or Health
Career Opportunities With a Physical Education Degree
Graduates of our program work all over New England, New York, and beyond. A Physical Education Degree can set you on a path for a career as:
- Adaptive physical education specialist
- Adventure education leader
- Allied health services
- Athletic coach
- Athletic director
- Athletic trainer
- Business relations director
- College professor
- Compliance coordinator
- Curriculum coordinator
- Dance instructor
- Early childhood motor skills instructor
- Elementary school teacher
- Exercise physiologist
- Exercise psychologist
- Facilities and operations director
- Fan relations
- Fitness instructor
- Geriatric fitness and rehabilitation specialist
- Health education teacher
- Health promotion specialist
- High school sports coach
- High school teacher
- Middle school teacher
- Movement education specialist
- Nutritionist
- Occupational therapist
- Outdoor recreation specialist
- Para-educator
- Physical activities specialist
- Physical education specialist
- Physical education teacher
- Physical therapist
- Physician’s assistant
- Post-secondary school teacher
- Pre-school teacher
- Professional athlete
- Public health professional
- Recreation manager
- Referee
- Sales representative
- School principal
- Ski instructor
- Sports announcer
- Sports information director
- Sports team manager
- Strength & conditioning coach
- Summer camp director
- Teacher assistant
- Youth sports camp director
- Youth sports coach
- Ticket operations manager
- Umpire
- Water sports director
Physical Education Outside the Classroom
You will gain early, frequent, and continuous teaching experiences in both school and community settings including:
- Observation in local schools
- Semester-long student teaching
- Working directly with special populations of students
- Opportunities in coaching youth sports and activity programs
Physical Education majors sponsor community events with groups such as Vermont Special Olympics, Castleton Lions Club, and the Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE-VT). Our students also take opportunities to network with our physical education alumni at state and regional conferences.