Health and Physical Education Major in Pennsylvania
Explore the Health and Physical Education program designed for students passionate about fitness and wellness in a Christian environment. This program opens doors to careers in teaching, coaching and health promotion, integrating faith with a commitment to nurturing healthy lifestyles.
100%
of first-year
students receive financial aid
students receive financial aid
98%
of the class of 2025 were
employed or in a graduate program
within 6 - 9 months after graduation
employed or in a graduate program
within 6 - 9 months after graduation
12:1
student to faculty ratio
Study Health and Physical Education at a Christian University
With health and physical fitness becoming a major focus of health care across the U.S., there has never been a more important time to consider a major in health and physical education. Messiah’s Bachelor of Art (B.A.) degree in health and physical education will prepare you to complete the state requirements needed to take the exam that certifies you to teach health and physical education for grades K-12 in Pennsylvania.
As a health and physical education major at Messiah, you will learn how physical activity affects mental, physical and spiritual well-being. Participation in a variety of cooperative and/or competitive experiences will deepen your understanding about the appropriate stewardship of the physical body and the value of healthful behavior for daily living. Training for the health and physical education major, both in and outside of the classroom, includes access to the proven faculty, coaching staff and facilities of Messiah’s championship-winning NCAA Division III athletics program.
As a health and physical education teaching major, you'll be able to:
- Gain a dual certification in health and physical education. Pennsylvania is one of the few states to offer dual certification
- Experience student teaching in elementary and secondary placements, in addition to many other classroom observations and experiences
- Have access to facilities that include: a human performance lab, swimming pool, athletic training lab, nutrition lab and the Falcon Fitness Center
- Benefit from advisor assistance and counseling from your first year through the process of seeking employment
- Participate in early and continuing field experiences which provide opportunities to observe and participate in local schools prior to student teaching
- Teach your peers in Wellness courses
Messiah’s health and physical education degree curriculum is certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is valid for both health and physical education in public schools. Your Pennsylvania teaching certification is transferable to many other states, too, through reciprocity agreements. Our graduates are also well-prepared to enter graduate school.
As a graduate of the health and physical education program, you will be equipped to secure positions such as:
- Health education teacher
- Physical education teacher
- Personal trainer
- Graduate student
For more information on career planning for the health and physical education program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah helps place students in a variety of health and physical education field placements. A few examples include:
- Observation in local schools
- Student teaching experience
- Teaching in rural or urban settings with diverse populations
The mission of the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science is to educate students as developing professionals, challenge students to communicate effectively and think critically, and mentor students as Christian servant-leaders.
- You will research, critique and effectively communicate an understanding of various philosophies, principles and practices associated with their specific area of study.
- You will begin to integrate faith and learning through a commitment to Christ and the application of Biblical truths.
- You will develop abilities common to the liberally educated, including locating and managing information, solving problems and making decisions.
- You will develop and apply knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for appropriate stewardship of the body and a lifetime commitment to overall wellness.
Policy for Health and Physical Education (teacher certification majors)
You MUST meet the requirements for the Basic Skills Assessment by Aug. 15 prior to your junior year (or for non-traditional students, the fall in which you enroll in TEP 310 and EDSP 307). This enables you to enter the Teacher Education Program (TEP) and enroll in your Junior Field Experience and courses that are required to be taken concurrently (EDSP 307 and EDUC 330). If you fail to complete the requirement by Aug. 15, you will be required to either 1) change majors or 2) stay at Messiah an additional year to complete the curriculum as it is designed. There will be NO exceptions.
Programs related to Health and Physical Education
In the Health and Physical Education program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Health and Physical Education:
Health and Physical Education (B.A.) with PK-12 Teaching Certification
Careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of this program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
Where they work
- Providence Middle School
- Littlestown School District
- Centerville Middle School (Hempfield School District)
- Cumberland Valley School District
- Carlisle School District
- New Life Youth and Family Services
- North Penn School District
- Anne Arundel County Public School
- Region One School
- Pelham Union Free School District
- Montgomery County Public Schools
- Mechanicsburg School District
- Ephrata School District
- Hollidaysburg Area School District
- Manheim Township High School
- Linglestown Middle School
- Fickles High School
- Northern High School
- Hershey High School
What they do
- Grad Student - Health Education
- Elementary Physical Education Teacher
- Teacher
- Health and Physical Education Teacher
- Physical Education Teacher
- Computer & Life Skills Teacher
- Long-term Substitute for HPED
- Physical Education Teacher K-5
- HPE Teacher and Softball Coach
- Ninth Grade Health Teacher
Graduate school
- West Virginia University
- Penn State University
98% of the Class of 2025 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
MEET ALUMNI FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, NUTRITION, AND EXERCISE SCIENCE
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.
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