Explore Physical Education Bachelor’s Degrees in NYC
Pursuing a degree in Physical Education in New York City opens the door to a dynamic field where health, fitness, and education converge. Whether your goal is to inspire young minds as a school-based physical educator, become a fitness coach, or advance into sports management and kinesiology, NYC offers an array of top-notch programs to help you succeed. With access to cutting-edge facilities, diverse internship opportunities, and a thriving urban environment, studying Physical Education in the city provides both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. Embark on a rewarding career that promotes wellness and fosters lifelong physical activity in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
CUNY Graduate School and University Center
The CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers a variety of programs and resources designed to promote academic excellence in education-related fields, including Physical Education. With state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative academic community, this institution prepares students for impactful careers in teaching and fitness.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Focuses on human movement, sports, and exercise science, preparing students for New York State Initial Certification to teach Physical Education from Pre-K through 12th grade.
- Practical Experience: Includes field experiences in schools, culminating in a semester of student teaching, equipping graduates to become movement specialists in primary grades and sports instructors in middle and upper grades.
- Contact: 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016 | (212) 817-7000
- Website: www.gc.cuny.edu
- Directions: Easily accessible via subway, take the B/D/F/M lines to 42nd Street/Bryant Park station. From there, it’s a short walk along Fifth Avenue heading north to the entrance located at 365 Fifth Avenue.
CUNY Hunter College
CUNY Hunter College boasts a robust Physical Education program focused on equipping students with the skills to teach and promote active lifestyles. Its proximity to Central Park provides additional opportunities for practical training.
Curriculum Details:
- Physical Education: Structured progression from foundational skills in 7th grade to specialized electives in 11th and 12th grades, covering activities like racquetball, strength training, and various team sports. hunterschools.org
- Health Education: Focuses on understanding the relationship between mental and physical health, covering topics such as sexual anatomy, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections, with the “Baby Program” integrated into the 10th-grade curriculum. hunterschools.org
- Contact: 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065 | (212) 772-4000
- Website: www.hunter.cuny.edu
- Directions: Take the 6 train to Hunter College/68th Street station. Once you exit, walk one block south along Lexington Avenue, then turn left onto 68th Street to reach the main campus entrance.
St. Francis College
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, St. Francis College emphasizes a personalized approach to education. Their Physical Education program integrates hands-on training and theoretical learning to prepare graduates for diverse career paths.
Curriculum Details:
- Degree Program: Offers a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education (K-12 Certification), preparing students for New York State Initial Certification to teach physical education from kindergarten through 12th grade.
- Course Offerings: Includes specialized PE courses covering teaching methods for various sports such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, floor hockey, and track & field.
- Contact: 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (718) 522-2300
- Website: www.sfc.edu
- Directions: Take the R train to Court Street station or the 2/3 trains to Borough Hall station. From either stop, walk along Remsen Street heading west. The college is located between Clinton Street and Court Street.
CUNY City College
CUNY City College offers a well-rounded Physical Education curriculum that includes exercise science, sports coaching, and teaching strategies. Students benefit from a diverse learning environment and access to NYC’s athletic community.
Curriculum Details:
- Course Offerings: A variety of courses focusing on health education and physical education, including topics such as personal physical fitness, cardiovascular fitness, aquatics, self-defense, and stress management.
- Program Structure: Courses are designed to promote physical well-being and health literacy, integrating practical physical activities with theoretical knowledge to prepare students for healthy lifestyles.
- Contact: 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031 | (212) 650-7000
- Website: www.ccny.cuny.edu
- Directions: Take the 1 train to 137th Street/City College station. Exit the station and walk east along 138th Street. Continue up the hill to Convent Avenue, where the main campus is located.
CUNY Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is known for its comprehensive Physical Education degree, which integrates modern fitness techniques with educational pedagogy. Students are supported by a dedicated faculty and modern facilities.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Students engage in courses covering anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and teaching methods, emphasizing health, human movement, and instructional strategies for diverse student populations.
- Practical Experience: The program incorporates field experiences and a culminating student teaching semester across various grade levels, preparing graduates for New York State initial teacher certification in physical education.
- Contact: 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210 | (718) 951-5000
- Website: www.brooklyn.cuny.edu
- Directions: Take the 2 or 5 trains to Flatbush Avenue/Brooklyn College station. Walk southeast along Flatbush Avenue, and the campus entrance is clearly marked at the intersection with Bedford Avenue.
CUNY Queens College
Queens College provides a vibrant academic environment for Physical Education majors, focusing on practical teaching strategies and wellness promotion. The campus boasts extensive recreational and athletic facilities.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Focuses on human movement, sports, and exercise science, preparing students for New York State Initial Certification to teach physical education from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
- Practical Experience: Incorporates field experiences in schools, culminating in a semester of student teaching, equipping graduates to become movement specialists in primary grades and sports instructors in middle and upper grades.
- Contact: 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Queens, NY 11367 | (718) 997-5000
- Website: www.qc.cuny.edu
- Directions: Accessible via the Q25 or Q34 buses to Kissena Boulevard. Alternatively, take the E or F trains to Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike, and transfer to the Q25 bus heading toward Queens College.
CUNY Lehman College
Lehman College’s Physical Education program emphasizes health education, fitness training, and coaching, tailored to meet the demands of diverse communities. Students gain practical experience through local partnerships.
Curriculum Details:
- Undergraduate Programs: Provides a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with options in Exercise and Movement Science, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Pre-Occupational Therapy, focusing on the study of physiological and functional adaptations to movement.
- Graduate Programs: Offers a Master of Science in Human Performance and Fitness, equipping students with skills for careers in exercise science, physical fitness, and wellness, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities like the Human Performance Laboratory.
- Contact: 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468 | (718) 960-8000
- Website: www.lehman.cuny.edu
- Directions: Take the 4 or D trains to Bedford Park Boulevard station. Walk along Bedford Park Boulevard heading west toward the main campus, located near Goulden Avenue.
CUNY York College
York College offers a specialized Physical Education program with a focus on urban health challenges and community engagement. The curriculum is designed for aspiring educators and trainers.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Equips candidates with knowledge, teaching methods, physical abilities, and professional attitudes to create learning environments that foster development across psychomotor, cognitive, and affective domains, aligning with state and national standards.
- Degree Requirements: Requires completion of 97 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0, including courses in human biology, motor development, exercise physiology, and teaching methodologies for various sports and activities.
- Contact: 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11451 | (718) 262-2000
- Website: www.york.cuny.edu
- Directions: Take the E train to Jamaica Center/Parsons-Archer station. Walk southeast along Archer Avenue, then turn onto Guy R. Brewer Boulevard to reach the campus.
Manhattan College
Manhattan College combines rigorous academics with a strong foundation in Physical Education and health sciences. The campus is nestled in a serene area of the Bronx, fostering focused learning.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Combines professional courses in physical education with liberal arts and sciences, covering scientific principles of human movement, teaching methodologies, motor learning, adapted physical activity, exercise physiology, anatomical kinesiology, and biomechanics.
- Practical Experience: Requires completion of 100 hours of fieldwork in K-12 schools, serving as a teacher’s assistant and planning physical activities, followed by 60 full-time days of supervised student teaching, leading to New York State teaching certification in physical education for grades K-12.
- Contact: 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10471 | (718) 862-8000
- Website: www.manhattan.edu
- Directions: Take the 1 train to the 242nd Street/Van Cortlandt Park station. From there, walk northwest along Manhattan College Parkway to the main entrance of the campus.
Montclair State University
Montclair State University offers a dynamic Physical Education program that balances modern training methods with traditional teaching approaches. The campus features cutting-edge athletic facilities.
Curriculum Details:
- Degree Options: Offers concentrations in Physical Activity in Educational Settings and Teacher Certification in Health and Physical Education (Preschool-Grade 12), preparing students for roles in educational and community settings or for teaching certification.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Emphasizes scientific and practical applications of physical education, including human movement studies, instructional strategies, and health education, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to promote physical activity and wellness.
- Contact: 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043 | (973) 655-4000
- Website: www.montclair.edu
- Directions: Take NJ Transit to the Montclair-Boonton line and alight at Montclair State University station. From there, follow signs for the campus shuttle or walk to the main administrative building.
Kean University
Kean University’s Physical Education program is renowned for its focus on holistic student development. The program prepares graduates for careers in teaching, coaching, and fitness management.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Combines coursework in physical education and health, preparing students for New Jersey’s Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) license with certification in Health Education. Kean University
- Extensive Fieldwork: Provides over 750 hours of hands-on learning experiences in K-12 settings, starting in the second year, integrating social and emotional learning competencies.
- Contact: 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083 | (908) 737-5326
- Website: www.kean.edu
- Directions: Take NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley line to Union Station. From there, use the campus shuttle service or walk south along Morris Avenue to reach the main campus entrance.
Adelphi University
Adelphi University provides a Physical Education degree with a unique emphasis on technology integration in fitness and education. Its suburban campus offers a peaceful environment for study.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Prepares students to use exercise, sports, games, and dance in age-appropriate programs for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors, leading to New York State teacher certification for grades Pre-K through 12.
- Hands-On Experience: Provides practical teaching experiences in diverse school settings, ensuring graduates are ready to promote fitness and wellness effectively.
- Contact: 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 | (516) 877-3000
- Website: www.adelphi.edu
- Directions: Take the LIRR from Penn Station to Nassau Boulevard station. From there, it’s a short walk north along South Avenue to the university entrance.
William Paterson University of New Jersey
William Paterson University’s Physical Education program emphasizes practical learning through internships and community involvement. Students benefit from small class sizes and dedicated faculty.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Prepares students to become professional educators, mentors, and leaders, focusing on shaping physically active lifestyles for school-aged children. The program covers a variety of topics, including adventure education, adapted sports, fitness, wellness, nutrition, coaching, dance, racket sports, and elementary games.
- Licensure Pathways: Offers both traditional and alternate routes to New Jersey’s Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) license, with optional certifications in Health Education and Driver’s Education.
- Contact: 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, NJ 07470 | (973) 720-2000
- Website: www.wpunj.edu
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit by taking a bus or train to Wayne. From the station, local transportation services, including campus shuttles, can take you to the main campus.
Long Island University
LIU’s Physical Education program integrates modern techniques in fitness training with educational methodologies. The campus is surrounded by a picturesque suburban landscape.
Curriculum Details:
- Dual Certification: A 127-credit, four-year program leading to New York State Initial Teaching Certification in both health education and physical education for grades K-12, enhancing career flexibility.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Combines classroom management, curriculum design, and lesson planning with liberal arts courses in biology, covering topics like nutrition, human sexuality, personal well-being, and strategies to promote physical fitness among children and adolescents.
- Contact: 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville, NY 11548 | (516) 299-2900
- Website: www.liu.edu
- Directions: From New York City, take the LIRR to Hicksville station. From there, transfer to a local bus or taxi heading east to Northern Boulevard and the university’s main entrance.
Hofstra University
Hofstra University offers a Physical Education degree with a focus on preparing students for leadership roles in fitness and education. Students benefit from extensive fieldwork opportunities.
Curriculum Details:
- Core Coursework: Covers sports, fitness, and movement sciences, including Adapted Physical Education, Coaching Methods, and Kinesiology.
- Hands-on Training: Requires two semesters of student teaching and a coaching internship for real-world experience.
- Contact: 1000 Hempstead Turnpike, Hempstead, NY 11549 | (516) 463-6600
- Website: www.hofstra.edu
- Directions: Take the LIRR from Penn Station to Hempstead station. From there, use Hofstra’s shuttle service or a short cab ride to reach the campus on Hempstead Turnpike.