Program Overview

As a physical and health education major you’ll take courses to prepare you to teach physical education, health education and adapted physical education to students in grades Pre-K-12. Because of the requirements for the program, all physical and health education majors also pursue a major in secondary education. You’ll study exercise physiology, fundamental motor development, team sports and officiating, nutrition and community health, which will prepare you for licensing by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. When you complete our program you’ll also have all of the licenses required to be successful in your career as a teacher.

You’ll gain skills through a wide variety of experiences, including education classes that feature activities such as hiking, archery and indoor rock climbing. Every season in Wisconsin offers an opportunity to build your fundamental knowledge as you explore the Waukesha area, from Lapham Peak State Park to Retzer Nature Center.

You’ll gain practical understanding when you work in groups to create lesson plans for sports and games, which you’ll then share with classes. You’ll also observe and participate in physical and health education classes at local schools, leading physical education classes or presenting lessons on health topics such as alcohol education and bullying prevention. These assignments will help you build a set of lesson plans to work from before you begin your student-teaching hours.

Coaches inspire, teach and motivate their players to perform at their very best. This emphasis prepares you to become an effective coach on and off the field. Students have the opportunity to gain basic knowledge of coaching in any athletic or sport setting and actively participate in coaching experiences under the guidance of a qualified coach.

The curriculum explores human anatomy and physiology, critical thinking, athletic training, healthcare skills, team sports, officiating and much more. You’ll be prepared with a well-rounded background as you apply your newly learned skills to real-life experiences working directly with a team and coach. During your hands-on learning experience, you’ll participate in the planning of an athletic season and see coaching in action.