Physical Education
Welcome to the online home of the Physical Education program at USC Upstate. Our mission is to prepare our students to be highly competent and thoughtful professional educators or practitioners in their chosen field, using the most effective classroom and hands-on learning experiences. We encourage students to 'Be PROFESSIONAL' in all aspects of their academic careers.
The Physical
Education major has two areas of concentration. The Physical Education Teacher
Education (PETE) concentration prepares students to teach physical education in
grades K-12. In addition to a core program in the liberal arts, students
undertake studies in the professional education area as well as in-depth study
in physical education. Directed teaching for PETE majors is arranged at both
the elementary and secondary levels. Requirements for acceptance into the Teacher Education program can be found here.
Students choosing the Exercise and Sport
Science concentration are trained for a variety of careers, including fitness
specialist, personal training, and strength and conditioning specialist. With graduate training, students can pursue
careers in sport nutrition, exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, and
physical therapy. Preparation for both
the NSCA’s Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam and the ACSM’s
Health Fitness Specialist exam is built into the curriculum, and students
passing one of these national exams can expect enhanced job opportunities.