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CIP 13.1314 Education

Physical Education Teaching and Coaching

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

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Total graduates

6,587

2025 · 387 schools

International share

2.4%

159 international students

Bachelor's degrees

4,721

1.5% international

Master's degrees

1,660

4.5% international

Overview

Physical Education Teaching and Coaching is a dynamic field that focuses on the development and delivery of physical education programs in schools and other educational settings. This major prepares students to become effective educators and coaches who can inspire and motivate individuals to engage in physical activity, promote fitness, and enhance overall well-being.

The curriculum typically includes courses in kinesiology, exercise science, sports psychology, and pedagogy, alongside practical coaching techniques. Students learn about various sports, fitness training, and health education, which are essential for designing comprehensive programs that cater to diverse populations. Additionally, the program emphasizes the importance of understanding the physical, emotional, and social aspects of sport and exercise, enabling future educators to create inclusive environments that encourage participation.

Moreover, students often have opportunities for hands-on experiences through internships, practicums, and student-teaching placements. These experiences are crucial in developing the skills needed to manage classrooms effectively, motivate students, and assess their progress in physical activities.

Graduates of this program can pursue careers as physical education teachers, coaches at various levels, athletic directors, and fitness program coordinators. They play a vital role in promoting physical health, teaching lifelong skills, and fostering a love for movement in their students. Overall, Physical Education Teaching and Coaching is a rewarding profession that contributes significantly to the development of healthy habits and active lifestyles in individuals of all ages.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates fell 57% and the international share went from 2.5% to 2.4%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
65.5%
Asian
1.7%
Hispanic
9.5%
Black
14.2%
Other
6.7%
Intl.
2.4%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 387 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#34 The University of Texas at Austin Texas 49 4
#34 University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin 17 0
#44 Ohio State University-Main Campus Ohio 96 2
#59 Florida State University Florida 32 1
#59 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minnesota 12 4
#59 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pennsylvania 15 1
#69 Michigan State University Michigan 13 1
#72 Syracuse University New York 1 0
#73 University of Connecticut Connecticut 40 1
#80 Drexel University Pennsylvania 4 0
#85 Southern Methodist University Texas 13 3
#90 Baylor University Texas 9 0
#90 Texas Christian University Texas 3 0
#100 Florida International University Florida 43 2
#100 University of South Florida-Main Campus Florida 62 3
#116 Brigham Young University-Provo Utah 21 0
#121 Arizona State University-Tempe Arizona 15 1
#121 University of Central Florida Florida 1 0
#121 University of South Carolina-Columbia South Carolina 52 0
#121 George Mason University Virginia 7 0
#133 University of Vermont Vermont 6 0
#137 University of Alabama at Birmingham Alabama 139 1
#137 California State University--Long Beach California 54 0
#148 University of Kansas Kansas 56 6
#148 University of Kentucky Kentucky 167 2
#156 Montclair State University New Jersey 54 2
#156 Oregon State University Oregon 7 0
#156 Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia 9 1
#169 DePaul University Illinois 14 0
#179 University of Louisville Kentucky 2 0
#179 University of Mississippi Mississippi 6 0
#186 Wayne State University Michigan 4 0
#191 University of Arkansas Arkansas 48 1
#191 Georgia State University Georgia 20 3
#191 Rowan University New Jersey 50 0
#191 Adelphi University New York 78 1
#191 Hofstra University New York 25 2
#202 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Louisiana 409 0
#202 East Carolina University North Carolina 10 0
#202 Ohio University-Main Campus Ohio 63 9
#208 University of Idaho Idaho 10 0
#219 Illinois State University Illinois 88 0
#227 Ball State University Indiana 32 1
#227 Russell Sage College New York 36 0
#227 West Virginia University West Virginia 135 13
#236 University of New Mexico-Main Campus New Mexico 23 4
#236 North Dakota State University-Main Campus North Dakota 18 0
#236 Kent State University at Kent Ohio 21 2
#250 Oakland City University Indiana 12 2
#250 South Dakota State University South Dakota 5 0
#250 University of Wyoming Wyoming 10 0
#262 Aurora University Illinois 18 0
#262 University of Maine Maine 54 2
#276 Northern Arizona University Arizona 6 0
#276 Harding University Arkansas 6 0
#276 Western Michigan University Michigan 2 1
#276 University of Missouri--St. Louis Missouri 6 0
#276 Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Ohio 6 0
#288 Wichita State University Kansas 8 0
#288 University of Memphis Tennessee 18 0
#288 Utah State University Utah 2 0
#288 Shenandoah University Virginia 6 0
#299 Azusa Pacific University California 21 0
#299 Southern Connecticut State University Connecticut 23 0
#299 Boise State University Idaho 17 0
#299 Utica University New York 40 0
#299 Concordia University Wisconsin Wisconsin 9 1
#308 Northern Illinois University Illinois 52 1
#308 University of Southern Mississippi Mississippi 14 0
#317 Morgan State University Maryland 9 0
#317 Kean University New Jersey 46 0
#317 University of Mary North Dakota 7 1
#317 Prairie View A&M University Texas 3 0
#317 Emory & Henry University Virginia 3 0
#317 Marshall University West Virginia 5 0
#328 Georgia Southern University Georgia 11 0
#328 Old Dominion University Virginia 27 0
#332 Point Park University Pennsylvania 23 0
#342 Mississippi College Mississippi 4 0
#342 Kennesaw State University Georgia 19 1
#353 Jacksonville State University Alabama 41 0
#353 Arkansas State University Arkansas 13 0
#353 University of West Georgia Georgia 52 0
#353 University of Louisiana--Lafayette Louisiana 141 3
#353 University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Puerto Rico 6 0
#365 University of Central Arkansas Arkansas 21 0
#365 Indiana State University Indiana 11 0
#365 Northern Kentucky University Kentucky 6 0
#365 Jackson State University Mississippi 30 0
#365 William Carey University Mississippi 76 5
#365 Gardner-Webb University North Carolina 2 0
#365 Liberty University Virginia 5 0
#376 University of Arkansas--Little Rock Arkansas 4 0
#376 Concordia University-Saint Paul Minnesota 6 0
#382 Grand Canyon University Arizona 19 0
#382 Columbus State University Georgia 6 0
#382 Valdosta State University Georgia 113 0
#382 Idaho State University Idaho 43 3
#382 Chicago State University Illinois 10 0
#382 Concordia University-Chicago Illinois 11 0
#382 Northeastern State University Oklahoma 15 0
#382 Southwestern Oklahoma State University Oklahoma 10 1
#382 Dallas Baptist University Texas 1 0
#382 Texas Wesleyan University Texas 2 0
#382 Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Puerto Rico 4 0
#382 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Puerto Rico 6 0
LAC #62 Berea College Kentucky 2 0
LAC #78 Hope College Michigan 11 1
LAC #97 Austin College Texas 1 0
LAC #111 Saint Vincent College Pennsylvania 1 0
LAC #116 Roanoke College Virginia 3 0
LAC #119 Ripon College Wisconsin 5 0
LAC #138 Truman State University Missouri 7 0
LAC #142 Eastern Connecticut State University Connecticut 14 0
LAC #160 University of Puerto Rico at Cayey Puerto Rico 3 0
LAC #166 Fort Valley State University Georgia 6 0
LAC #177 Grambling State University Louisiana 38 0
LAC #180 Alabama State University Alabama 12 1
LAC #181 Bethany College West Virginia 27 6
LAC #184 Williams Baptist University Arkansas 1 0
LAC #184 Lane College Tennessee 10 0
— State University of New York at Cortland New York 224 0
— Fort Hays State University Kansas 125 0
— SUNY Brockport New York 107 0
— Northwest Missouri State University Missouri 87 0
— University of West Alabama Alabama 81 4
— Emporia State University Kansas 72 0
— Delta State University Mississippi 63 0
— Bridgewater State University Massachusetts 62 1
— Springfield College Massachusetts 61 2
— Virginia State University Virginia 57 0
— Manhattanville University New York 56 0
— University of Wisconsin-River Falls Wisconsin 55 0
— CUNY Brooklyn College New York 52 0
— University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Wisconsin 47 0
— Copiah-Lincoln Community College Mississippi 44 0
— University of Wisconsin-Superior Wisconsin 41 6
— University of Nebraska at Kearney Nebraska 40 0
— Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus New Mexico 39 3
— CUNY Queens College New York 39 0
— McKendree University Illinois 34 0
— University of Northern Iowa Iowa 33 0
— Pittsburg State University Kansas 33 0
— Salisbury University Maryland 29 0
— University of Wisconsin--Oshkosh Wisconsin 29 0
— Langston University Oklahoma 27 0
— Central Connecticut State University Connecticut 26 0
— University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Wisconsin 26 0
— East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 25 1
— Ferrum College Virginia 25 2
— New Mexico Highlands University New Mexico 24 3

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 1,065,210 — $76,320
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 620,090 — $72,030
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors 322,930 $25.20 $52,420
Coaches and Scouts 248,950 — $60,160
Education Teachers, Postsecondary 60,830 — $79,350
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 12,630 — $86,620

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2002–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.