Careers in Physical Education

Physical education is one of the most demanding fields in this era. It offers a wide range of career options in physical education. In physical education, you have the option of becoming an educator, coach, medical person, media person, and director. This article is an introduction to the teaching careers in physical education.

Physical Education Teacher

The role of a Physical Education Teacher is to organize games and challenges and promote physical activity among children and young adults from kindergarten to high school. It also involves to educate children and adolescents on the many aspects of leading healthy lifestyles, from physical activity to nutrition.

To be a Physical Education Teacher, the basic eligibility criteria is to pass a Diploma course and to get into that the candidate should have passed minimum 12th with any stream from a recognized institution. Candidates should have a minimum aggregate mark of 50%-60% in 12thgrade. Candidates who qualify for the sports quota criteria are also eligible for this course as this will give them an additional benefit or relaxation in qualifying criteria in some institutions.

Candidates who have passed a Diploma in Physical Education are eligible for recruitment in various primary schools. Candidates who have passed B.P. Ed (Bachelor’s in Physical Education) are eligible for recruitment as Physical Education Teachers in various schools and colleges across the country.

Some of the Universities that offer courses are:

Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai- P. Ed., (Master of Physical Education), M. B.P. Ed., (Bachelor of Physical Education), M.Phil., (Physical Education), Ph.D., (Physical Education)

Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior- B.P. Ed., (Bachelor of Physical Education), M.P. Ed., (Master of Physical Education)

Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram – Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P. Ed.), MPhil Course (Physical Education), Research (Ph.D.) Full Time and Part Time,

Short term Refresher Course for Physical Education teachers of various other institutions

Swarnim Gujarat Sports University, Sports, Youth and Culture Activities Department, Gujarat- B.A.Ed. (Bachelor of Physical Education), M.A.Ed. (Master of Physical Education), M.Phil. + Ph.D. (Master of Philosophy +Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education)

Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior- Ph.D. in Physical Education

Adaptive Physical Education Specialist

The job of an Adaptive Physical Education Specialist is to provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs  or other impairments. Adapted Physical Education (also called specially designed instruction) is an instruction in physical education that is designed on an individual basis to meet the needs of a child with a disability.

The person who aspires for the job should possess a bachelor’s degree with a major in physical education or kinesiology, sport science, etc. Possess a valid and current teaching certificate and complete a 12-credit hour course in Adapted Physical education specialist.

Some of the Universities that offer courses are:

National Sports University Society, Imphal, Manipur- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. in Sports Coaching)

Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai- B.Sc., Exercise Physiology & Nutrition, M.Phil. Advance Training and Coaching, M.Phil., Sports Biomechanics and Kinesiology

Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior- M.Sc. in Biomechanics

Institute of Sports Science & Technology, Pune- Distance Masters Programme in Sports Sciences (DMPSS)

Aerobics Instructor

Aerobics instructors are required to choreograph exercise moves and lead classes in an aerobic exercise.

To be eligible for this course one should have an associate or Bachelor’s Degree. Bachelor Degree is a minimum requirement for the study in Exercise science, kinesiology, physical education, or a related fitness field.

Some of the Universities that offer courses are:

Institute of Sports Science & Technology, Pune- Distance Diploma in Sports Sciences (DDSS), Distance Diploma in Sports &Exercise Psychology (DDSEP), Distance Diploma in Sports &Exercise Nutrition (DCSEN), Distance Diploma in Sports Photography (DDSP), Distance Diploma in Sports Medicine (DDSM)

Adventure/Outdoor Educator

The Outdoor Educator will be directly responsible for supporting curriculum development, academic planning, preparing for educational programs, delivering educational programs, and will be working with administering program evaluation tools as needed.

There’s no set entry route for studying to become an outdoor activity instructor but it may be useful to study a relevant qualification like a one-year course of Level 2 certificate in sports.

 Some of the Universities that offer courses are:

Institute of Sports Science & Technology, Pune- Distance Diploma in Sports Sciences (DDSS)

Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai- B.P. Ed., (Bachelor of Physical Education),

Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram- Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P. Ed.)

Special Education Aide

A Special Education Aide works alongside with special education teachers /or therapists in teaching children with emotional and behavior disorders, intellectual disabilities, problems with communication, or physical disabilities.

Qualifications required to be a special needs teaching assistant: Bachelor degree

Place to study : IGNOU – Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE)

The above are a few examples of career options in teaching one can make in the field of physical Education. This article is first in the series of Career options in Physical Education. The next article of this series will feature “Coaching careers in physical education”. Wait for the same !

Complied by Anjali Sukumaran