Contact information
Steve Palmer, Program Director
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- Steve.Palmer@nau.edu
- 928-523-6164
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Get your teaching credential through our Physical Education Pathway to Certification program.
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Why physical education?
Pursuing a career in physical education can be extremely rewarding. If you care about physical fitness, enjoy working with others, and want a career that will keep you on your toes (literally!) learn more about our Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program.Students in the PETE program may be eligible for the Arizona Teachers Academy, which provides a scholarship to cover remaining tuition and mandatory student fees after other aid is applied. Graduate with little to no debt, secure an in-demand job, and find a lifelong career you’ll love.
About our program Accordion Closed
Mission and vision
The NAU Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program prepares students to become competent and effective PreK-12 physical education instructors. Further, our PETE students graduate from the program prepared to make a positive and lasting impact on student lives.
Physical Education majors at NAU are given the opportunity to have rich, hands-on field experiences interacting with children in the surrounding PreK-12 schools starting the first year in the program. These experiences continue throughout the entire program, culminating with a practicum-based class which is largely spent implementing the teaching skills learned throughout the PETE program in the elementary, middle, and high schools. Students will then go on to have a robust 16-week student teaching experience.
The NAU PETE Program is the only nationally recognized physical education program in the state of Arizona aligned with the Shape America National Standards.
- Developing educational leaders who create tomorrow's opportunities.
- Developing competent and committed professionals who will make positive differences for children, young adults, and others in schools.
The NAU Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program prepares students to become competent and effective PreK-12 physical education instructors. Further, our PETE students graduate from the program prepared to make a positive and lasting impact on student lives.
Physical Education majors at NAU are given the opportunity to have rich, hands-on field experiences interacting with children in the surrounding PreK-12 schools starting the first year in the program. These experiences continue throughout the entire program, culminating with a practicum-based class which is largely spent implementing the teaching skills learned throughout the PETE program in the elementary, middle, and high schools. Students will then go on to have a robust 16-week student teaching experience.
The NAU PETE Program is the only nationally recognized physical education program in the state of Arizona aligned with the Shape America National Standards.
View the complete Physical Education Teacher Preparation PETE Standards (National Association for Sport and Physical Education - NASPE).
Once you decide to become a PE teacher, follow these steps to fill out the Professional Education Program Application.
Students will complete the Professional Education Program Application after they have completed PE 315. Thus, depending upon when they complete PE 315, they will submit their applications between September 1 - 15 or February 1 - 15 to their program advisor.
Students will complete the "Student Teaching Application" one year prior to the semester in which they intend to do their student teaching (i.e., PE 495C).
You can also earn a minor in Physical Education.
Meet a PE student Accordion Closed
Meet Madison Fisher, graduate of the PETE program. She says, "I grew up dancing and really appreciating physical activity. I also love working with kids, and my first job was in a preschool teacher position. I loved that job and knew that the teacher path was the one I wanted to take." Learn more about Madison's experience in the program.
Professional licensure Accordion Closed
This program was intentionally designed to lead to licensure or certification in the state of Arizona. For information regarding how the curricular requirements for this degree program align to licensure or certification requirements in other states, see professional licensure by state. PETE students will be certified with a PreK-12 certificate.
Students may choose to take: Professional Knowledge Exam - Elementary or Professional Knowledge Exam - Secondary and PE Exam for AZ Certification students.
Students may choose to take: Professional Knowledge Exam - Elementary or Professional Knowledge Exam - Secondary and PE Exam for AZ Certification students.