Edited by PE Teacher EDU Editorial Staff
Last Updated:
Compare online PE programs by credential outcome, state eligibility, clinical placements, and total cost. Online delivery describes coursework; it does not by itself establish eligibility for a school teaching license.
Choose the Program for Your Starting Point
| Your situation | Program type to investigate | Read next |
|---|---|---|
| No bachelor’s degree | A bachelor’s with approved teacher preparation | Bachelor’s programs |
| Bachelor’s outside education | Approved post-baccalaureate, alternative, or initial-certification master’s | MAT programs |
| Already a licensed teacher | Added PE endorsement or advanced graduate study | Endorsement options |
| Related kinesiology degree | Transcript review and remaining teacher preparation | Kinesiology route |
Distinguish Initial Licensure From Advanced Study
Ask the program to state whether it leads to an initial PE teaching credential, serves already licensed teachers, or provides academic study without a teaching recommendation. Program names such as MAT, MEd, or MS are clues, not guarantees.
WVU’s online PE master’s, for example, explicitly does not lead to initial certification. Campbellsville describes a health and PE MAT with different preparation options. Confirm the specific route, location eligibility, and credential outcome directly with the institution.
PROS
The first program in the nation combining preparation for both the health & wellness coaching and fitness science fields Three academic tracks — Fitness Science / Health and Wellness Coaching / Health Promotion — allow students to align coursework with specific career or certification goals The Health and Wellness Coaching track prepares students to sit for the National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBHWC) exam through the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching Backed by ASU's College of Health Solutions and supported by a large faculty base and significant ongoing partnerships with organizations including Mayo Clinic / Banner Health / and HonorHealth ASU has been widely recognized for innovation in higher education with #1 rankings from U.S. News and World Report Coursework includes hands-on experiential learning Curriculum covers healthy eating / behavior change / coaching communication / fitness programming / diabetes prevention / social determinants of health and more Graduates receive a standard ASU diploma that does not indicate whether the degree was earned online or in personCONS
ASU's academic programs that prepare students for professional licensure or certification are designed to meet Arizona's requirements; completing this program may not fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states This is a health sciences degree program and does not confer K-12 teacher certification or lead to an educator preparation credentialPROS
Liberty's online B.Ed. / M.A.T. / M.Ed. / Ed.S. / and Ed.D. degrees are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); the university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) 8-week course format with 8 start dates per year and no set login times for most courses to provide significant schedule flexibility for working adults Online programs backed by a respected brick-and-mortar campus Can be completed in as few as 1.5 years — transfer up to 50% of a graduate degree Discounted tuition rates are available for eligible active duty / Reserve / Guard / and veteran service members and their spouses Nonprofit Christian university with more than 600 online degree programs at every level from associate's through doctoral Pioneer in distance education since 1985 No standardized tests required for admission (exceptions may apply to certain doctoral programs)CONS
This is a non-licensure program and is not a state-approved educator preparation program; it will not lead to initial teacher certification in any state All coursework is developed from a biblical worldview which may be a consideration for some prospective studentsPROS
Curriculum is designed around the Eight Areas of Responsibility for Health Educators (NCHEC) and prepares students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exams Three specializations allow students to direct their doctoral work toward specific professional goals — Health Outcomes Research / Online Teaching in Higher Education / Self-Designed Two program entry tracks accommodate students with a master's in the field and those with a master's in a different field Streamlined admissions with no GRE requirement and no application essay required Doctoral Degree Coach tool provides structured milestone tracking with shared advisor access to help students stay on track through the dissertation process Military-supportive institution with tuition reductions available for eligible service members / veterans / VA employees and their spouses HLC accredited since 1990 / accreditation reaffirmed 2023 / more than 50 years supporting working adult learners in online distance educationCONS
Doctoral programs require an original dissertation; typical completion extends beyond minimum coursework terms / Walden allows up to 8 years to complete the program / students are strongly encouraged to work continuously to avoid extending their timeline Four PhD residencies (virtual and in-person) are required with some involving additional travel and lodging costsExamples of Online PE Program Types
These examples show different credential outcomes, not a ranking or an exhaustive school list. Verify admission, location eligibility, and the current licensure disclosure directly with each institution.
| Program | Published purpose | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Campbellsville University: MAT Health and Physical Education | Online graduate teacher preparation with school-based experience; traditional and Kentucky Option 6 routes | The route for your state, subject prerequisites, and student teaching or mentoring requirements |
| West Virginia University: MS Physical Education Teacher Education | Advanced study; not an initial PE licensure program | Whether the curriculum fits your professional goals and any employer recognition you seek |
| Eastern Washington University: Health and Physical Education options | Online MEd or graduate certificate; endorsement opportunity for already certified teachers, not initial certification | Existing-license conditions, endorsement applicability, and required practical work |
For a bachelor’s route, ask whether the degree includes teacher preparation or must be followed by a separate program. An online physical education concentration and an initial teaching license are not interchangeable qualifications.
Separate Online Coursework From School Experience
Ask exactly which components are online, scheduled live, hybrid, or in person. Movement labs, campus sessions, observations, student teaching, or employment-based clinical work can affect where and when you must attend. Obtain the placement plan for your location before enrollment.
- Who secures the school placement and mentor?
- Which grade levels and settings must the placement cover?
- What clearances are required before entry?
- Can the placement fit your work and travel schedule?
- Who confirms that the placement meets the licensing route?
A program’s ability to enroll residents in a state and its ability to meet that state’s professional licensing requirements are different questions. Read the school’s licensure disclosure and verify unresolved issues with the certifying agency.
Compare Approval, Accreditation, and Costs
Institutional accreditation, educator preparation accreditation, and state program approval serve different purposes. Ask the school to identify each relevant status rather than accepting a single “accredited” label as the full answer.
Request a total cost estimate after transcript review. Include prerequisites, tuition, technology and program fees, assessment and licensing costs, placement travel, and any reduction in paid work. Compare program costs and scholarship and aid options without treating loans as discounts.
Use a course-by-course schedule to compare timelines. Placement availability and course rotation may determine completion dates even when the coursework is online. The timeline guide explains what to include.
Match Your Education and Pay Goals to the Program
If you have no bachelor’s yet, read Can You Become a PE Teacher Without a Degree? before comparing graduate certificates. If you are already licensed and considering a master’s for a pay increase, use our master’s-degree salary guide and obtain employer approval for the exact degree before enrolling.
Request Useful Information From Schools
Describe your completed degree, current license if any, location, intended teaching state, and work schedule. Ask each provider the same questions so its response can be compared with other programs. A school information request is a starting point for discussion, not admission or certification approval.
Use our state guides and requirements checklist before committing to a program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an online PE program lead to teaching?
Some programs include initial preparation; others serve licensed teachers or do not lead to licensure. Confirm the specific program and intended state.
Does every online program arrange a local placement?
No. Ask who arranges it, whether the location is approved, and what happens if a placement is unavailable.
What is the best online physical education degree?
Start with your intended credential, state, and placement needs. A program that works for an experienced licensed teacher may not suit a first-time applicant; compare outcomes and full costs rather than a single ranking.
Is national accreditation the same as state approval?
No. Ask the institution to explain both the accreditation and the professional-licensure outcome.
- Choose by credential outcome and location eligibility.
- Get the clinical placement plan in writing.
- Compare the full cost after transcript review.