Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership BS

Major

Format

In-Person

Location

Greeley

Concentration

Licensure: Physical Education (Grades K-12)

Estimated Completion Time

4 Years

Start Date

Fall, Spring

Tuition Rate

Tuition & Fees

Department(s)

Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics (KiND)

Credits

120

Area of Study

Apply Request Information

Program Overview

Become a leader who inspires healthy, active lives in schools and communities. Through classroom learning and hands-on field experiences, you’ll build expertise in motor skill development, physical activity and health promotion, program design, coaching pedagogy, instructional technology, sport and activity administration, and facility and event management.

You’ll graduate as a reflective, culturally responsive professional, ready to lead meaningful physical activity experiences for children and youth across schools, community programs and beyond.

Choose the Licensure: Physical Education (Grades K-12) concentration to prepare for a career teaching physical education in Colorado’s K-12 schools.

Major Requirements

All PEPAL B.S. students build a foundation in motor skill development, exercise physiology, biomechanics, coaching and program design. From there, you can add the Licensure: Physical Education (Grades K-12) concentration to prepare for a career teaching in Colorado schools.

The PEPAL B.S. at UNC requires 120 credits, including:

Liberal Arts Curriculum (31 credits):
General education courses in writing, math, arts and humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Many science courses also count toward the major.
Required Major Courses (85 credits):
Coursework in exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning, coaching, sport administration and event and facility management, plus a required internship. Prepares you for careers leading physical activity and sport programs in schools, community organizations and youth sport settings.
- Licensure: Physical Education (Grades K-12) Concentration (88 credits: 49 major + 39 professional teacher education credits):
  Adds required education coursework, teaching methods courses and a supervised student-teaching experience. Prepares you to earn a Colorado teaching license in physical education. Requires a minimum 2.5 GPA, a background check, an oath and consent form, and current First Aid/CPR certification before student teaching.
University-Wide Credits (1-11 credits):
Additional courses to reach the 120-credit minimum. Students who apply recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum and major requirements may have extra electives.

Students work closely with an advisor each semester to plan coursework and stay on track for graduation. View full degree requirements in the academic catalog using the buttons below.

Degree Requirements – PEPAL B.S.

Degree Requirements – Licensure: Physical Education (Grades K-12) Concentration

Four-Year Plan

This plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor’s degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance.

Four-Year Plan – PEPAL B.S.

Four-Year Plan – Licensure: Physical Education (Grades K-12) Concentration

Why UNC for PEPAL?

Practicum Experiences

Apply what you learn in real schools and community settings well before your final internship or student teaching. Hands-on practicum work builds your confidence and skills as a future physical activity leader or teacher.

UNC Active Schools Institute

Learn from a program that's shaped school physical activity research since 2016. You'll gain access to real research, professional development and community partnerships focused on building active, healthy school cultures across Colorado.

Active Schools Institute

Student Teaching

Complete a supervised student-teaching experience at both the elementary and secondary levels, working directly with students and mentor teachers to prepare you for a licensed teaching career from day one.

Path to K-12 Teacher Licensure

Students who choose the Licensure: Physical Education (Grades K-12) concentration complete UNC’s Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) alongside their major coursework. This adds 39 credits of education courses, teaching methods training and a supervised student-teaching experience, preparing you to earn a Colorado teaching license upon graduation.

To stay on track for licensure, you’ll need to:

Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA throughout the program
Complete a background check and fingerprint clearance
Sign an annual oath and consent form
Hold current First Aid/CPR certification before student teaching
Demonstrate professional readiness to PEPAL faculty through reviews and interviews
Complete student teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels

Three checkpoints guide your progress through PTEP:

Initial Admission to PTEP: Completed after meeting GPA and coursework requirements, alongside a background check.
Full Admission to PTEP: Confirms you’re ready to move into methods coursework and field experiences.
Application for Student Teaching: The final step before your supervised teaching placement.

Skills and Outcomes