You can be empowered to make a positive impact on the health of younger generations, all through movement and fun! The Kinesiology Teacher Certification degree is approved by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board to prepare graduates to seek a state teaching certificate in P-12 physical education. This degree is offered as a single major with a University-approved minor or a double major in physical education and health education. For the highest job placement opportunities upon graduation, we strongly encourage our students to complete degrees in both physical education and health education.
What makes our program stand out:
Our graduates get jobs! In the past 10 years, 100 percent of our students who have sought teaching positions have been hired.
Career opportunities include:
"I've been teaching for four and a half years, and I still feel like I am in the KHP program at the University of Kentucky. The coursework helped me build a solid foundation of skills, but the relationships that I created while attending UK have lasted and thrived. Each year I spend time learning more from current professors and preservice teachers in the KHP program."
Wellness Teacher at STEAM Academy
To apply to the program, students must complete an undergraduate admissions application and declare interest in Physical Education. This program requires admission to the Teacher Education Program after completing 30 hours. Students must have a 2.75 or higher GPA, complete an application, submit a portfolio, and complete the interview process. Following successful completion of coursework, students complete a semester of student teaching. Completion of this degree qualifies students to pursue a state teaching certificate in physical education, grades P-12.
Physical Education and Health Education: The complete double major requires completion of the UK Core requirements along with requirements in program related studies, performance, core content, professional education courses and the health education courses.
Physical Education: The single major requires completion of the UK Core requirements along with requirements in program related studies, performance, core content, and professional education courses. Students are required to also choose a University-approved minor.
For both options the coursework focuses on teaching methods. Professional education courses equip students with the knowledge and skills to become efficient educators through observation and field work. Students who graduate from this program will have more than 200 hours of teaching experience.
The B.S. in Kinesiology requires completion of: (1) the UK Core requirements; (2) specified course work in Program Related Studies and Professional Education; and (3) one of the kinesiology plans. All kinesiology students are encouraged to complete Plan 1, which includes majors in kinesiology and health promotion, so that on graduating they will be qualified to pursue state teaching certification in physical education and health, grades P-12. In addition, students who choose to major in either kinesiology or health promotion only, must pick up a university-approved minor, and are only certified to teach in the single discipline selected.
The B.S. in Kinesiology program is approved by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
In addition to automatic and competitive scholarships from the University of Kentucky, our students are also eligible for a variety of scholarship awards from the College of Education.
For incoming freshmen the scholarship application deadline is February 1.
For transfer and current students the scholarship application deadline is April 1.
Students can find many opportunities to join organizations. Many of our physical education students are involved in:
Kinesiology and Health Promotion Club
If you are interested in promoting a healthy lifestyle, physical, health education or interested in exercise science, physical therapy, physicians assistant, occupational therapy, athletic training, sports psychology, or sports medicine this is the student organization for you!
If you plan to complete a University of Kentucky online program while living outside of Kentucky, you should check the Out-of-State Students page to determine if the University of Kentucky is authorized to provide this program in your state of residence. If you plan to use the degree to seek licensure, you should also determine if the degree meets the educational requirements for licensure in your state.
You can find tuition refund policies, deadlines, amounts, and other important information on the UK Student Account Services website.
College of Education
128 Taylor Education Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0001
859-218-2698
