Christian Physical Education University

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Most people remember P.E. class. Whether from elementary school, middle school, or high school, P.E. classes were part of the day. Perhaps your most poignant memory from P.E. class is running a mile, or playing sport and learning that you love it, or possibly being forced to exercise and learning that you don’t love it. Whatever your memories, physical education serves an important purpose: teaching students about their bodies and how to care for them. The lessons that you learn have lasting impacts on your future and your health as a whole.

Choosing to major in physical education at a Christian college gives you the unique chance to study movement, the body, and joy from the perspective that acknowledges the One who created all of it. You’ll have Biblical truth tied into all your learning, showing you precise and careful attention behind our bodies, and giving you an appreciation for people of all talents, skill levels, shapes and sizes. You’ll have the environment to grow both in your academics and your faith, preparing you for your career and life beyond it.

List of potential careers for someone who chooses to major in physical education:

• P.E. Teacher: A physical education teacher teaches students how to play different sports, healthy lifestyle skills and tips, and how to take care of their bodies. P.E. encourages students to build teamwork skills, sportsmanship, healthy habits, and basic safety when playing games, sports, or exercising.
• Coach: A coach is a professional who teaches students, athletes, or first-time learners how to play a sport, the strategies involved, the rules and regulations, and also helps sharpen their individual skills and strength. They plan out practices, team events, logistics for travel and training, and make decisions for competitions and tournaments. Aside from technical aspects, Coaches also aim for character growth in their athletes, in areas of confidence, leadership, and sportsmanship.
• Strength and Conditioning Coach: A strength and conditioning coach in the field of athletic training designs and implements strategies and workouts that are meant to bring athletes to peak physical condition while also reducing their risk of injury. They will often tailor the workout regimes to the athletes’ assessed strengths and weaknesses to bring about improvement and physical stability. Strength and conditioning coaches work closely with coaches, athletic trainers, and medical professionals to provide the best and safest possible practices for the benefit of the athlete(s).
• Personal Trainer: Personal trainers work with clients to help them achieve their personal health and fitness goals through workout plans, nutrition advice, and accountability and encouragement. They assess clients’ fitness and health levels and work with them to create a workout and dietary plan that is personalized to their situation and goals. They work in gyms, private studios, or online with clients of all fitness levels.
• Outdoor Education Instructor: Outdoor education instructors teach lessons and skills in natural settings through experience-based learning. They may use activities like camping, climbing, hiking, or other outdoor activities to emphasize safety, instill leadership and teamwork values, and sharpen survival skills. They may work with different age groups and with different class structures (individuals or groups).

Placement rates for the physical education degree are not available on a general or national scale, so it is difficult to determine how likely success is for those who major in physical education. The average annual salary for professionals with a physical education degree is around $46,180. While the pay may not necessarily be considered high, the value of the work is often quite rewarding. So, what should you do while in college to give yourself the best chance of success with a physical education degree?

A physical education degree is perhaps most commonly translated into a career teaching P.E. but there are other avenues. Depending on where you want to go with your physical education degree, you’ll want to expand your education to include health-based science classes, like anatomy, some kinesiology courses, nutrition, and perhaps even biochemistry. Having a better understanding of the body, how it works, how it moves, and how it is affected by what you put in it can open doors to careers in personal training, influencing, and other training and nutrition related careers.

In the world of careers, experience is king. What does that look like for a physical education degree? Things like coaching, teachers’ aid for P.E. classes, working at a gym, interning at the YMCA or with personal trainers or nutritionists. The kind of experience that will be best for you depends largely on your personal career goals. The important thing is that you gain experience working with children or clients, seeing how the work is done, determining if it’s a good fit for you, and learning good habits to take with you. This kind of hands-on experience is ideal for future employers looking at your resume. Be sure to network and keep connections with those you work with, peers, and professors. These connections can be great references for future employers, or they can be an inside track to a job vacancy needing to be filled.

Some careers stemming from a physical education degree require certification or licensure, such as a teaching license. Additionally, different schools will have different requirements, possibly even requiring first aid and CPR training. These can be handy to have in hand, even if it is not required, as it will show a level of preparation that is above average. Research what sort of certifications and licenses may be required for the career you want and start preparing so that you can take care of that in time for graduation, making the transition from class to career as seamless as possible.

Communication, patience, and strong leadership skills are a necessity for careers stemming from a physical education degree. Whether you’re going to be working with children or adults, you’ll need to be able to explain different movements, rules, and health facts clearly, so that they can understand. It can take time for students or clients to understand certain movements, form, rules, and get the hang of new skills, so you’ll need to be encouraging, willing to explain things multiple times, and offer constructive criticism with positivity. Clients and children can become easily discouraged, so the better you are at lifting others up, showing compassion, and motivating them, the stronger your impact and the better they learn. Organization is key, as you’ll be working with different skill levels, different lessons, and need to keep track of progress, concern, paperwork, and your schedule. Being passionate about fitness and health is a must, as you’ll want to keep people engaged and having fun, which is easier to do when you enjoy what you do. Someone with this combination of characteristics would be well suited to a career with a physical education degree, whether working in education, private health, or in ministry.

Work Cited:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Fitness Trainers and Instructors, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm (visited February 03, 2026).

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:31
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (NIV)

Whether a church, a Christian camp, or a Christian school, there is always a need for someone who can promote healthy living and fun activity. Someone with a physical education degree can be a valuable part of teaching others how to honor the body that God has given them and to engage in fun activities in a way that glorifies the Lord and encourages relationships and teamwork. A physical education degree will prepare someone to teach others how to play sports, eat healthily, exercise, and care for their bodies. They can be an activities coordinator, a Christian camp counselor, a coach, or a teacher and have the privilege to combine Biblical lessons and truth with activity and exercise.

There are also many ways that someone who chooses to major in physical education can use their gifts for ministry. Many ministries combine activity and evangelism, one prominent example being FCA. Traveling to other countries to work with kids or adults, and teaching them how to care for their bodies while also teaching them the gospel is another option for someone with a physical education degree. Health is important, and the Lord calls us to care for the bodies that he has given us, so there is plenty of use for someone who can teach others how to live healthy lifestyles in either the church or ministry.

There are many doors open to those who choose to major in physical education, not just teaching P.E. to students. If you are passionate about health and fitness, are a strong communicator, are patient, compassionate, and a good leader, then perhaps the Lord is leading you toward a path with a physical education degree!