Physical Education Studies

Teach future generations healthy habits through physical fitness.

Start your journey to become a certified physical education teacher at any level from kindergarten through high school. Learn tricks of the trade in our extensive state-of-the-art facilities, and gain hands-on experience in real-life situations with community partners. You can go right to work with an associate degree, or transfer to a bachelor’s program in physical education or recreation and sports facilities management.

If you love to be active and work with youth teaching sports and physical education, this program is designed for you. Our coursework includes anatomy and physiology, lifeguard training, personal training, adaptive sports, field sports, track and field, and much more. 

The Delhi Difference

• Our comprehensive recreation and athletic facilities include a fitness center, field house, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor tracks, athletic fields, and 18-hole golf course.
• Our talented, dedicated faculty are experts in their field.
• Small class sizes create a supportive learning environment that allows you to build strong relationships with your peers and professors.
• Enjoy four-season access to the Catskill and Adirondack Parks and facilities such as the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown.
• You can earn multiple certifications while studying for your degree, including American Red Cross certifications in First Aid and CPR, Lifeguard Training, Water Safety Instruction, and personal training certificate through the National Association of Sports Medicine.
• Find opportunities for volunteering, participation, or employment in our NCAA Division III athletics and college intramurals.
• Get real-world teaching experience by shadowing a local PE teacher with our two-credit practicum course.
• The job outlook for fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow faster than average through 2029. 

Read About our Adaptive Sports Program

What Can You Do With This Degree?

• Physical education teacher (K-12, special education) 
• Personal fitness trainer
• Instructor at a community recreation program (YM/YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, municipal recreation program, etc.)
• Coach for youth groups, high schools, camps, or college teams
• Athletic trainer 

Alumni Highlights

• Alison McConnell ’15, Physical Education Teacher – Marathon Central School, Marathon, NY 
• Charlie Rice ’14, Physical Education Teacher – PS/MS 29 The Melrose School, Bronx, NY 
• James Hart ’06, Physical Education Teacher – Stamford Public Schools, Stamford, NY 
• Justin Wood ’04, Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Coach – University of La Verne, La Verne, California