BS in Physical Education
Are you physically active with a passion to help others be active and value the benefits of an active lifestyle? Do you have an interest in a career that will have a positive lifelong effect on children?
The bachelor of science in physical education degree at East Carolina University is a teaching licensure program intended to prepare tomorrow's physical educators to teach fundamental motor skills, movement concepts, and health-related fitness concepts in elementary, middle, and high-school settings. The program combines rigorous academic course work with carefully designed clinical experiences to produce highly competent educational leaders with the knowledge, skills, and commitment to promote lifetime physical activity and fitness and empower learners to develop their full potential.
The program provides students the opportunity to learn discipline specific content such as: biomechanics, children's movement patterns, sport and games, dance, elementary gymnastics, motor behavior and exercise physiology. The content knowledge is applied in a variety of specific teaching practicum and clinical settings including peer teachings, adapted physical education, and elementary, middle, and high school instruction within the local school systems. The program concludes with a student-selected fifteen week internship placement within the thirty-six school district Walter and Daisy Carson Latham Clinical Schools Network. Upon completion of the program and satisfactory accordance with East Carolina University and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requirements, students will receive a four year degree and a North Carolina Teaching License in Health and Physical Education.
2020 Spring PETE Newsletter
2019 Fall PETE Newsletter
2019 Spring PETE Newsletter
Admission Requirements
To declare a major in the Teacher Preparation Degree the student must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Be within 10 hours of completing General Education Requirements
- Pass the majors’ fitness test. Students must pass all four components of the fitness test which include a running component (the PACER Test), curl-up, trunk lift and modified pull-up. To learn more about the components on the fitness test click here.
- Documented scores for Praxis CORE, or SAT(1170 math and reading) or ACT(24 composite)
- Pass the Computer Competency Test
In addition to the above requirements, admission to Upper Division status requires the successful completion of the following:
- 2.7 cumulative GPA
- Upper division essay
- Upper division interview
- Minimum grade of “C” in Early Experiences course
Program Requirements
Delivery Methods
This program is only offered in an on-campus, Face to Face format.
Additional Information
A minimum grade of C is required in all KINE courses and at least 126 s.h. for successful completion of the degree. A minimum grade of C (2.0) for interdisciplinary human studies concentration courses is required for licensure.
The following information applies to all ECU programs that lead to a license to work in any level in public schools, i.e. teachers, principals, librarians, social workers, school counselors, superintendents, etc.
Upon successful completion of educator preparation program degree requirements and licensure requirements for the State of North Carolina, such as, but not limited to, testing and national assessments, candidates will be eligible for an ECU recommendation for a NC license. However, final licensure granting decisions are the sole responsibility of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction not ECU. Candidates who graduate and seek out of state employment will have to meet the receiving state’s requirements for licensure. There is no automatic licensure reciprocity between states. ECU will verify the completion of an approved, accredited program for candidates who seek employment out of state, and those candidates will be responsible for working with the receiving state to complete any additional requirements needed to obtain the license for employment.