Education, M.S.; Health and Physical Education

Increase your skills and marketability by earning a master’s degree in Education (Health and Physical Education). Our fully online program can be completed in one year of full-time study or two to five years of part-time enrollment. Our program is ideal for working adults or those interested in advancing their careers without wanting to travel or have on-campus requirements. This is not an initial licensure program. Applicants must have a teaching license to complete this program.

Your Schedule, Your Pace

All of your courses are online, so you can structure the program to fit your schedule. If you're seeking professional development you may take classes at your own pace and transfer up to nine credits into the program if you wish to apply to the program at a later date.

Work toward completing your graduate degree while satisfying your state’s teacher licensure requirements.

Provisionally licensed HPE teachers may need coursework that our program offers to satisfy official teaching license requirements.

Once officially licensed, non-degree students can apply to the program and transfer the completed HPE coursework to the master’s degree.

Classes are offered throughout the year, including summer, fall, and spring.

Internships

Students complete a five-credit community health internship in a school or community setting of their choice, and in their specific area of interest. You can stay where you are and complete a local internship while offering opportunities for children and adults in your community. 

• Community Health
• Health Education
• Physical Education
• Adapted Physical Education

In addition, you will work with a school or community agency and submit a grant proposal to fund a community/school initiative that will positively impact health and wellness.

License

Graduates of the program meet current eligibility requirements for the Virginia Postgraduate Professional License. Those who elect to pursue the adapted P.E. internship will meet all requirements to register for the national examination to become a Certified Adapted P.E. Specialist. If you complete the community health internship you will be eligible to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

Career Paths

• Teaching in K-12 schools
• Coaching and/or teaching at the college level
• Working with community health organizations, non-profit agencies and health coalitions
• Managing city/County Parks and Recreation departments
• Serving as a health advocate
• Teaching adaptive physical education