Health And Physical Education

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Health and Physical Education leads to licensure to teach health and physical education in grades K-12. Our program is based within the liberal arts tradition; it is rigorous, field-centered and highly personalized.

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One University Parkway High Point, NC 27268

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(336) 841-9216

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The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Health and Physical Education leads to licensure to teach health and physical education in grades K-12. Undergraduate courses focus on nutrition, health issues, motor development, individual and team sports skill development and analyses. Emphasis is placed on the application of methodologies to the elementary and middle/secondary settings. The major in Health/Physical Education requires 41 hours of coursework in teacher education. Minors in Health Education and Athletic Coaching are also available.

Effective Fall 2019:
Students pursuing degrees in the School of Education will have the option of selecting between the Licensure-Track and Non-Licensure Track programs of study within the Elementary Education, Special Education, Middle Grades Education or Health/Physical Education programs of study.

Licensure Track:
Student Teaching with N.C. licensure will become an optional track that students may pursue at the end of the program. Choosing this track requires completion of the mandatory 16-week student teaching, all related licensure tests, and the edTPA portfolio. These credits will be included in the required 128 to graduate.

Degree ONLY (Non-Licensure Track):
Students who choose (or who are moved to) the non-licensure track in the degree program will earn a B.A. degree in Elementary Education, Special Education, Middle Grades Education or Health/Physical Education. Instead of student teaching students will complete other university electives to reach the required 128 credits for graduation and a four credit internship that is not student teaching. The School of Education does not apply for North Carolina license as the required student teaching, edTPA portfolio, and teacher exams are not part of this track.

The School of Education is housed in a LEED-Certified facility which includes an expansive Teacher Resource Center, a simulated elementary classroom methods lab and $250,000 in state-of-the-art educational technology
HPU offers programs of study that reflect the latest research on best practices in teaching
Experiential learning opportunities in the community allow for HPU students to become deeply connected with the area, including Literacy Nights and LEGO Education Workshops
Opportunities to engage in study course material on trips to various venues, including the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL
Students have a choice of many opportunities including service learning, undergraduate research and B.A. to M.Ed. program
Faculty includes former school superintendents, classroom teachers, school psychologists, principals and curriculum specialists, all of whom are currently engaged in scholarship and public school K-12 initiatives

HPU education students had the opportunity to travel to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. to gain new knowledge and teaching tactics surrounding STEM-science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This trip prepared education majors to help their future students understand the relevance of space, space exploration and STEM-related fields in their daily lives.

Dr. Shirley Disseler, HPU assistant professor of education and chairperson of the Global LEGO Education Advisory Panel, created the LEGO Education Project at HPU. LEGO Education offers unique solutions for educators who want to incorporate innovation, creativity and hands-on learning into the classroom. Education students at HPU visit local elementary schools to introduce LEGO Education. They also host students, teachers and parents on HPU’s campus for LEGO Education showcase events. Disseler says LEGO Education gives her students a unique opportunity to act as educational leaders. When students go into schools, they’re instructing other teachers on how to implement projects.

Kappa Delta Pi (International Honor Society in Education)
North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators
Teachers of Tomorrow
Student Council for Exceptional Children

Course Requirements 2025/2026

Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education

Degree Requirements	Credits
Major Requirements	65
University Core Requirements	36-44
Licensure Requirements	11
Electives	8-16
Total	128

Minor in Health Education

Minor Requirements	Credits
Course Requirements	20
Total	20

Requirements for B.A. in Health and Physical Education

Course	Course Title	Credits
EDU 1200	Introduction to Teaching	2*
EDU 2100	Educational Psychology	4*
EDU 2200	Critical Perspectives on Teaching and Learning	4*
EDU 3100	Students with Disabilities: Characteristics and Service Delivery Models	4
EDU 3110	Educational Technology for Teachers	2
EDU 3280	Literacy in the Content Areas	4
EDU 4008	Technology Integration for Middle, Secondary, and Special Students	2
EDU 4166	Using Data to Access Student Impact in K-12 Classrooms	2
EDU 4173	Methods of Teaching Health and Physical Education K-12	4
EDU 4174 or EDU 4811	Introduction to Student Teaching or Internship in Education	4
EDU 4200	Diverse Learners and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy	4
EDU 4280	Classroom Management for Middle Grade and Secondary Teachers	2
ANA 2070/2071	Human Anatomy/Lab (3/1)	4
HED 1200	Nutrition and Healthy Living	4
HED 2100	Prevention and Substance Abuse	2
HED 2200	Human Sexuality and Relationships	2
HED 3100	Contemporary Health Issues	2
PEC 1331	Social Dance	1
PEC 2100	Motor Development and Learning	2
PEC 2101	Team Sports: Skill Development and Analysis	4
PEC 2201	Individual Sports: Skill Development and Analysis	4
PEC 3100	Trends and Issues of Teaching Physical Education	4
PEC 3101	The Application of Physical Education in the Elementary Setting	2
PHS 2060/2061	Human Physiology/Lab (3/1)	4
*These courses are prerequisites for admission to the Educator Preparation Program. The following courses are required for licensure:
EDU 4000	Investigation in Teacher Performance Assessment I	1
EDU 4001	Investigation in Teacher Performance Assessment II	4
EDU 4270	Student Teaching Continuation	6

Note: Students may receive only one C- grade in a supporting course. Any subsequent course with a grade of C- or lower must be repeated. A grade of D+ or lower in a supporting course will not be accepted.

Requirements for Minor in Health Education

Course	Course Title	Credits
HED 1200	Nutrition and Healthy Living	4
HED 3100	Contemporary Health Issues	2
EDU 4811	Internship in Education	4*
*This course should be taken at the end of the course sequence. A minimum of 10 credits from the following list:
HED 2100	Prevention and Substance Abuse	2
HED 2200	Human Sexuality and Relationships	2
HED 3300	Aging & Life Choices	4*
PEC 2130	Healthy Living for the Elementary Child	4
PSY 3610	Health Psychology	4**
WEL 1010	Stress Management	4
WEL 4400	Healthe Behavior Change	4
Prerequisite: HED 1200 *Prerequisite: PSY 2000.

Program of Study-Major in Health Education

Program of Study-Minor in Health Education

Career Opportunities

High Point University is proud of its graduates. In the last five years, the School of Education has graduated more than 300 students in teacher education and 150 graduate students who have gone on to become classroom teachers and school principals, thereby impacting the lives of thousands of school-aged children. Recent graduates from High Point University’s School of Education have received many honors and distinctions including:

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Study Abroad

At High Point University, our emphasis on global perspectives is designed to provide students with opportunities to enhance their international awareness and to develop their cross-cultural communication skills. Study abroad is strongly encouraged as a part of this emphasis on global studies. With a variety of extraordinary options at some of the most prestigious universities in the world, students at High Point University are encouraged to study abroad as early as the summer after their freshman year. Employers are looking for more than just a degree; they want well-rounded individuals who have familiarity with diverse cultures, special skills, and knowledge of the world around them.

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