Welcome to the Graduate Program in Physical Education Teaching

Individuals interested in the off-campus Physical Education Teaching program (held in other areas throughout the state of Wisconsin) and would like more information and application materials please use the following link: Request Information & Application Materials.

The Exercise and Sport Science-Physical Education Teaching option is a practitioner-oriented program for professionals seeking additional expertise in physical education teaching. Emphasis is placed on current national trends and issues throughout the curriculum.

The teaching option offers emphases in Adventure Education, Health as a Lifestyle, and Adapted Physical Education Teaching (Special Populations).

  • The Adventure Education emphasis is designed as a practitioner-oriented program for physical educators seeking specific expertise in the area of adventure/outdoor pursuits. Click here for more information.
  • The Health as a Lifestyle emphasis is practitioner-oriented for physical educators interested in increasing their expertise in the area of health education curricula in the school setting.
  • The Adapted Physical Education/Special Populations emphasis is designed for educators interested in teaching, leadership, and supervisory roles in adapted physical education. Click here for more information.

BULLETIN: New funding opportunities available for APE Graduate Students

Students may select a thesis or non-thesis option. The thesis option includes courses in research methods and statistics and a six-credit thesis project. The non-thesis option requires a current research interpretation course and an assessment course. Students choosing the non-thesis option must also successfully complete comprehensive written exams.

Assistantships are available for qualified students to teach physical education in area schools and in basic physical activity courses at UW-L. Additional funding opportunities are available for students interested in pursuing graduate study in Adapted Physical Education.

Tuition Information

Minnesota and Wisconsin have a reciprocity agreement whereby Minnesota residents pay the same tuition as Wisconsin residents. Wisconsin recently entered into an agreement with the states of Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and North Dakota called the Midwest Student Exchange Program. Students from these states pay 150% of the tuition of a Wisconsin resident rather than full out-of-state tuition. There is no separate application required to be considered for this program. To learn more about the Midwest Student Exchange Program click here.

Steffen I'm Dr. Jeff Steffen, advisor to graduate students in the Physical Education Teaching program. You can find out more about me by clicking here.

Physical Education Teaching Graduates are Prepared to:

  • enrich and provide leadership for school physical education curriculum and instructional process
  • teach/coach in K-12 settings
  • teach/coach at the college/university level
  • pursue advanced degrees in physical education and pedagogy
  • increase instructional effectiveness
  • apply research related to effective teaching and instructional program development
  • lead outdoor adventure trips
  • direct challenge courses

Physical Education Teaching Graduates Are Employed As:

  • college/university teachers and coaches
  • college/university student teacher supervisors
  • K-12 department chairpersons
  • physical education teachers/coaches
  • adventure guides
  • ropes course directors

Rolling admissions in this program.