Physical Education Degree

Description

The Physical Activity Department provides opportunities for students to participate in activity classes, pursue a professional career, and transfer and compete in intercollegiate athletics. The Physical Education Program provides an introduction to the profession with the ability to utilize principles of human anatomy, physiology, and behavioral processes. Additional physical activity courses and/or intercollegiate athletic courses include selections from a wide range, including baseball, basketball, golf, low impact aerobics, soccer, softball, volleyball, walking, water aerobics, and weight lifting, among others. Some courses are not available online.

This Program is designed to confer an Associate in Arts in Physical Education degree upon successful completion of all requirements. 

Earnings Potential

An associate degree in physical education offers you the salary potential of $23,561 two years after graduation from Taft College, with expected increases to $42,479 by five years, based on five-year studies of graduates by California Community Colleges. These do not reflect salaries with a four-year degree.1

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, career options include community health workers with a median annual wage of $46,590; and coaches and scouts at $38,970, which require extensive knowledge of specific sport(s). Although a degree is not required for athletes and sports competitors, earning one in physical education is an asset for moving into coaching and scouting upon retirement from competition in organized, officiated sporting events. A career in intercollegiate athletics, such as administrative director or manager, typically requires a minimum of a four-year degree, and the median annual wage is $96,910 for post-secondary education administrators. For other careers requiring a minimum of a four-year degree or additional training, the median annual wage is $40,700 for fitness trainers; and $61,829 for high school teachers. The 2019 to 2029 projected job growth for high school teachers is four percent, about 15% for fitness training and instructors, and a remarkable 20% for coaches and scouts.2

1 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Salary Surfer. 2021. https://salarysurfer.cccco.edu. Accessed 19 April 2023.

2 “Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 8 Sept. 2022. www.bls.gov/ooh. Accessed 19 April 2023.

Program Requirements

To earn an Associate in Arts in Physical Education, students must complete: (1) all course requirements with a minimum grade of “C” in each course; and (2) complete General Education Graduation Requirements with an overall GPA of 2.0 or better.

See the degree requirements in the Taft College Catalog. Please note: This links to an external website.

Program Learning Outcomes

After completing the Physical Education major, a student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the skills necessary to participate, perform, and progress in a variety of sport and/or exercise classes.
  2. Identify and explain the rules, concepts, and vocabulary used in the Physical Education curriculum.
  3. Apply the cognitive and/or movement experiences from the Physical Education curriculum in order to participate in lifelong fitness.

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