A typical four-year bachelor's degree program in physical education prepares students to qualify for teaching certification. In addition to physical education, typical undergraduate coursework involves health and science, such as anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Maintaining a high GPA in a selection of classes relevant to your desired career will help you qualify for a master's-level program.
There are a variety of master's-level degrees in physical education, including master of arts in teaching, master of arts in education, master of arts and master of science programs. Students in master's degrees programs typically study both exercise science and teaching, but your choice of programs will influence how much of each and what specific skills are taught.
The most basic admission requirement is typically a bachelor's degree in physical education or a related field. Admission requirements vary according to the goals of the chosen program. Some programs are designed for licensed teachers, while others are for students with no professional experience. Even programs that require prior experience, licensing or certification may make exceptions for applicants who excel in other areas. For specific admission requirements, refer directly to the college website in question.
Most master's level physical education programs require a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for admissions. Maintaining good grades in undergraduate academics can significantly increase a student's chances of acceptance into graduate programs. Programs typically require one or more letters of recommendation as part of the admissions application. Most often these are academic references from professors relevant to the desired physical education program. A stellar letter of recommendation will reflect a responsible, knowledgeable and focused student.