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Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Physical Education Concentration

Inspire Students to Reach Their Full Potential

Turn your passion for fitness and sports into a rewarding career that allows you to inspire students to build character through athletics. Camps, schools, and churches all need well-trained athletic directors, physical education teachers, and coaches who can promote a biblical view of exercise while encouraging students to pursue health and physical fitness. By pursuing this degree, you will be equipped to fill a critical need in the education sector and to influence upcoming generations for Christ.

Students will never forget the influence of a good teacher or inspiring coach. A bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a physical education (PE) concentration prepares you to lead by example. You’ll be able to teach high school students about health and fitness or become a sports coach. If you are a natural leader or athlete with the desire to motivate and mentor Christian athletes through sports, the physical education program may be the perfect spot for you.

PCC offers a PE concentration that will provide the biblical and technical foundation you need to excel as a PE teacher or coach. You’ll not only learn the basics of team sports and coaching methods, but you’ll also be challenged by practical classes like Kinesiology and Care of Athletic Injuries. Through Bible and teaching classes, you’ll learn how to incorporate a biblical worldview in the classroom and on the court. To give you more opportunities for employment, you’ll choose a second teaching field in addition to your major concentration. The leadership, classroom management, and coaching skills you’ll gain will open countless opportunities after graduation.


Faith-Based Physical Education

PCC’s distinctively Christian physical education concentration focuses on God’s Word and proven teaching methods as the foundation for effectively communicating in the classroom and on the field. Your classes will integrate faith, excellent secondary school teaching methods, and practical classroom experience. With advanced training in first aid, sports physiology, and athletic administration, you’ll have the knowledge and skills needed to be a PE educator who trains and motivates Christian athletes in the gym and on the field. You’ll graduate fully prepared to lead and coach students in team sports, physical activity, health, and fitness.

teaching PE

Secondary Education Learning Outcomes

As a secondary education graduate, you will be equipped to

  • apply a Christian-traditional philosophy of education to purposes, content, and methods of teaching.
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of subject content unique to your selected concentration and second teaching field.
  • demonstrate proficiency in the use of methods and materials appropriate for the traditional secondary classroom.
  • organize, establish, and manage an effective learning environment.
  • demonstrate knowledge of the learner with ability to teach him.
  • teach effectively in a Christian junior high or high school.
  • integrate biblical Christian values in teaching.
  • exhibit the professional qualities required of successful teachers.

Program Highlight

Secondary Teaching Internship

Throughout your time in the secondary education program at Pensacola Christian College, you will study proven teaching methods by observing master teachers, teaching your peers, and presenting lessons at Pensacola Christian Academy. In your senior year, you’ll take the final step toward preparing for a successful teaching career: leading your own classes during your Secondary Teaching Internship (SE 420).

Mentored by an experienced PCA teacher, you’ll gain experience as you participate in every aspect of teaching—eventually becoming fully responsible for your own class. Teaching in both your primary concentration and your second teaching field, you’ll refine the skills you need to become an excellent teacher and lead your first class with confidence.

Your Physical Education Future

What can you do with a secondary education degree, physical education concentration?

You’ll be prepared to work in a variety of roles, whether you’re seeking a career as a PE teacher, gym instructor, coach, or athletic director. You’ll be equipped to teach in a Christian school—or continue your education by pursuing a graduate degree. Although the education degree programs do not lead to state licensure or teacher certification, graduates are qualified to receive teacher certification through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and are eligible for a complementary one-year Professional Teaching Certificate from the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS).

Here are a few of the countless career opportunities available to you.

  • Athletic Director
  • Christian School Teacher
  • Church Ministry Leader
  • Homeschool Teacher
  • Missionary
  • Personal Trainer
  • Public Speaker
  • School Administrator
  • Sports Coach

Here are a few of the grad schools our physical education alumni have attended.

  • Fayetteville State University
  • Florida State University
  • Grand Canyon University
  • Logan University
  • Western Governors University

Here are a few of the many places that our physical education alumni have worked.

  • Athens Christian School, Athens, GA
  • Central Fellowship Christian Academy, Macon, GA
  • Emmanuel Christian School, Toledo, OH
  • Multnomah University
  • Old Suwanee Christian School, Buford, GA
  • Providence Christian School, Riverview, FL
  • Rocky Bayou Christian School, Niceville, FL
  • Vacaville Christian Academy, Vacaville, CA
  • Westwood Baptist Academy, Poplar Bluff, MO
  • Wilson Christian Academy, Wilson, NC

Faculty Highlight

Adrienne Wilson

Mrs. Adrienne Wilson

B.S., Pensacola Christian College
M.S.S., U.S. Sports Academy


“My heart and goal for my students is that they would develop a love for their field and a desire to use their talents for God’s glory in whatever avenue they pursue after graduation. I want them to grow in their chosen field, learn practical aspects, develop critical thinking, and have the chance to immediately apply the things they’ve learned in my classes. Each teacher in our department strives to be knowledgeable, practical, and excellent in the classes we teach—we want your education experience to be something you can enjoy. ”

Meet more faculty

Alumni Spotlight

Brennan Roberts
Brennan Roberts ’19

Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Dean of Students (Grades 7–12), Pensacola Christian Academy, Pensacola, FL


“I have always enjoyed sports, and the influence that many of my coaches had on me throughout the years was a driving force. I felt God was calling me to influence others through sports as well. The P.E. concentration grew my knowledge and practice in the sport-specific/technical aspect of coaching and teaching. I think God was preparing me long before my college years, but I certainly had many opportunities in college to build and practice skills that I use daily.

In a ministry as large and multi-faceted as Pensacola Christian College, students (especially in education) have so many opportunities to apply what they’re learning in classes and practice their craft before they graduate and move on to whatever God has for them.”

Meet more alumni

Physical Education Concentration Course Schedule

Second Teaching Fields

Music

Second teaching field requirements: Students with a Music second teaching field must demonstrate sufficient ability in one area of applied music and will take instruction in this area for six semesters. Students in their fourth semester of private music lessons must pass a platform to be approved for a music second teaching field. After passing the platform, students are required to enroll in Music Repertoire each semester they are enrolled in private lessons. Students with a vocal or instrumental emphasis must participate in a performing ensemble two semesters sometime during sophomore, junior, or senior years. Performing ensembles that meet requirements for each emphasis are as follows: Instrumental: Orchestra, Symphonic Band; Vocal: Chamber Ensemble, Symphonic Choir.
Teaching Elementary Music
Music Theory I
Music Theory II
Choral Methods
Proficiency Materials and Methods
Private Lessons
Ensemble/Hymnplaying

Physical Education

Fitness Test: Students in this second teaching field must pass the Physical Fitness Test or take PE 283/273 Physical Fitness or PE 160/170 Swimming/Physical Fitness (minimum grade of “C-” required).
Extracurricular Activity Requirement: Students in this second teaching field must participate in several semesters of intercollegiate or intramural sports or an approved alternative.
Fall Team Sports
Spring Team Sports
Sports Physiology
Introduction to Coaching
First Aid
Organization and Administration of Physical Education
Kinesiology
Care of Athletic Injuries
Coaching Electives
Teaching Physical Education

Speech

Second teaching field requirements: Second-semester sophomores must pass a speech platform evaluation to be approved for a second teaching field in speech. Students are required to enroll in SP 999 Speech Repertoire each semester they register for a private speech lesson. All students with a second teaching field in speech must perform at least one role in a college play while a student at PCC. A speaking role in a dramatic production play will satisfy this requirement.
Teaching Speech
Introduction to Interpretive Speech
Voice and Diction
Oral Interpretation of Poetry
Oral Interpretation of Dramatic and Narrative Literature
Stagecraft
Stage Movement
Introduction to Dramatic Production
Assemblies and Productions Practicum
Private Speech Lessons

kinesiology class

About the Physical Education Concentration

The purpose of the secondary education major is to prepare students to teach in a Christian school by equipping them with a Christian-traditional philosophy of subject content and teaching methods, practical teaching skills, and a servant’s heart.

Students in this concentration, minor, or second teaching field must pass the Physical Fitness Test or take either PE 160/170 Swimming/Physical Fitness or PE 283/273 Physical Fitness (minimum grade of “C-” required).

Students in this concentration, minor, or second teaching field must participate in several semesters of intercollegiate or intramural sports or an approved alternative.

Secondary education students can apply for scholarships to receive financial aid.

Teacher Education Scholarship (up to $12,000)

  • Available to a qualified applicant who has declared an education major.
  • Applicants must have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.00 or higher.
  • Recipients must maintain a 2.00 GPA each year (not cumulative) at Pensacola Christian College in order to receive the benefit of the scholarship. Students who forfeit the scholarship because of grade point average will forfeit the benefit for future years.
  • Recipients receive a tuition benefit up to $12,000 (approximately $3,000 annually; 20% of total tuition) over the first eight consecutive semesters of attendance as a full-time student after approval. If the student is enrolled in the Fourth Year Tuition-Free program, scholarship payments will not be applied during semesters the student is receiving the Fourth Year Tuition-Free benefit.

Dr. Barbara Bradley Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 scholarships each awarded to continuing juniors or seniors with a secondary education major who have a financial need, to be applied over one semester.

Kathy Irwin Scholarship
$1,000 scholarships awarded to students with secondary, elementary, and music education majors, to be applied over one semester.

Rosann Petermeyer Memorial Scholarship
$500 scholarship awarded to a continuing sophomore or junior with a secondary education major who has a financial need, to be applied over one semester.

Melvin and Mabel Teuscher Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 scholarships each awarded to continuing sophomores, juniors, or seniors who have a financial need, to be applied over one semester. Priority will be given to education majors.

See More Scholarships
girl at career fair

Secondary Education Career Support

With Career Services and Career Link, students can start making connections with employers while on campus during Career Fair events. These services provide tools and resources designed to empower you for your secondary education calling.

Every year, an average of 96 schools attend Educator Recruitment, seeking to hire PCC graduates.

Need help? Career Services staff are ready to assist you in researching employment opportunities, exploring job qualifications, and providing mock interviews and résumé support.