Program highlights

• Choose from four concentration options
• Complete the master’s degree in less than 2 years
• Designed to meet the Model Core Teaching Standards defined by the Michigan Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (MI InTASC)
• Complete your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just 5 years with our AGRADE option
• No GRE required for admission

What will you learn in the M.S. in health and physical education teaching program?

Through the program, you’ll learn to develop school health and physical education programs, implement developmentally appropriate instruction for all learners, assess health and physical education content knowledge and skill proficiency, use instructional technology effectively, and demonstrate the qualities of a professional Health and Physical Educator.

Program curriculum and course requirements

The M.S. in health and physical education teaching requires a minimum of 30 credit hours, with the total required credit hours varying by concentration. Flexibility in choice of courses also depends on concentration — the Continuing Education concentration has only two required courses, while Initial K-12 Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification has 19. 

Each concentration requires at least two courses in the health and physical education department, but you may also choose electives that suit your interests in other departments, such as Kinesiology, Health and Physical Education, and Sports Administration.

Review the program curriculum.

Total for degree: 30

Four concentration options

Tailor your education to suit your specific interests and career goals by choosing one of four concentrations:

Continuing Education

Designed for students who already have teacher certification and are seeking to earn a master’s degree and gain additional professional skills, this concentration requires at least 30 credit hours — two required courses and 24 credit hours of electives.

Continuing Education seeking K-12: Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification

This concentration is for students who are already certified in another subject area and want to add Health and Physical Education Teaching as an endorsement to their teacher licensure. This program requires at least 30 credit hours, but depending on your previous coursework it could take up to 51 credit hours to complete.

Initial K-12 Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification

If you want to become a teacher and have a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field, this program is for you. This program requires at least 30 credit hours, but depending on your previous coursework it could take up to 64 credit hours to complete. 

K-12 Adapted Physical Education with Certification

This program is designed for students with teacher certification in Health and Physical Education or Special Education who would like to add Adapted Physical Education K-12 to their State of Michigan teaching license.

The concentration requires 30 credit hours, including 19 required courses and 11 credit hours of electives. All applicants must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) content area exams in either Health and Physical Education or Special Education.

AGRADE program (4+1)

Save time and money by enrolling in a health and physical education master’s program while you’re still in college. As a junior or senior at Wayne State, you may qualify for the Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) program, which allows you to apply up to 16 credits to both degrees. We even offer scholarships for qualified participants.

• Learn more about AGRADE
• Apply for AGRADE

Master’s degree in physical education careers

Wayne State’s health and physical education master’s program helps you launch or advance your PE teaching career. It also qualifies you for jobs in health promotion and related fields. Upon graduation, you’ll have specialized knowledge and skills that make you a valuable candidate for a wide range of positions. For instance:

• Health and physical education teacher (K-12)
• Physical education department head 
• Adapted physical education specialist
• Athletic coach
• Wellness coordinator 
• Physical education program coordinator
• Community health advocate
• Fitness instructor or personal trainer

Tuition and financial aid     

Save money through Wayne State University's affordable master’s in physical education. Our tuition and fees are lower than comparable degrees from other major research universities in Michigan. You can also take advantage of our robust financial aid opportunities, including private scholarships.

Try our net price calculator to estimate your costs and savings at WSU.

Admission requirements

Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School and the Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies. To be considered for regular admission, you must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. If your GPA is between 2.80 and 2.99, you could still be considered for qualified admission.

To apply, please submit the following:

• The online application
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
• A personal statement addressing your professional and academic goals

We do not require GRE scores for admission.

Learn more about the M.S. in health and physical education teaching program

Are you dedicated to promoting health and fitness? Our master’s in health and physical education teaching program prepares you to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of students and communities.

• Want to find out more about health and physical education teaching at Wayne State? Request more information
• Eager to get started? Apply now

Professional Licensure Program Disclosure

The University has determined that the curriculum of the initial teacher certification and endorsement programs at Wayne State University in the College of Education, leading to a credential as a certified teacher, meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states. However, there may be specific state requirements beyond the reciprocity agreement.

Accreditation

CAEP_Accreditation

The College of Education educator preparation programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).  

Accreditation means that a program meets the standards set by the academic and professional community. It’s a seal of approval indicating that the program prepares new educators to teach effectively.