Physical Education, MS
- Azusa, USA
- San Diego, USA
Master degree
DURATION
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 22,350 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* base cost | cost per unit: $745
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Study Physical Education at Azusa Pacific University
You’ll graduate ready to make a difference through physical fitness with a Master of Science in Physical Education. With the option to pursue a Sport Management Emphasis, you’ll delve into holistic health for modern students, preparing for roles like teaching, coaching, or administration. Faculty-mentors will help you gain the skills and knowledge to lead PE classes, manage athletic programs, and coach at different education levels. We’ll empower you to be a catalyst for change, blending teaching, coaching, and athletic administrative techniques. This degree positions you as a leader in higher education or K-12 districts, shaping 21st-century college sports and physical education programs.
Gain Hands-on Experience
- Learn to teach physical education concepts to K-12, junior college, and university students.
- Build practical skills to coach at different education levels.
- Prepare for management and administration in athletic programs.
- Learn about 21st-century holistic health strategies for student well-being.
- Learn to develop tailored physical education initiatives and make a real difference.
Program Details
The Master of Science in Physical Education equips candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to instruct physical education, administrate athletic programs, and coach at the K-12, community college, and four-year university levels. The goal of this academic program is to develop candidates’ awareness of the process involved in effecting change in the lives of people they will serve. This is achieved through the mastery of professional skills and knowledge and the integration of teaching, coaching, and administrative techniques and strategies. This program caters to working professionals with full-time schedules, allowing for maximum flexibility through an asynchronous online format.
Financial Aid
Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.
Military Benefits
Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.
Physical Education Scholarships
Kyle Ian MacDonald Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of Kyle Ian MacDonald, MS ’15, a graduate of APU’s MS in Physical Education program. The intent of this scholarship is to financially support students in the pursuit of teaching and mentoring students through coaching, physical education, exercise science, and sport management. Awards range from $2,500-$2,800. To apply, fill out the Kyle Ian MacDonald Memorial Scholarship Application (PDF) by August 1 and email the completed form to sbautista@apu.edu.
Physical Education MOU Partner Discounts
Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) are agreements between Azusa Pacific University and various entities (such as cities, counties, and businesses) that allow for employees of those entities, their spouses, and their children (up to age 26) to receive a tuition discount for select Azusa Pacific programs. MOUs are a great way for employers to promote the professional development and advancement of their employees.
The School of Education and the School of Behavioral Sciences offer a 10 percent tuition discount for eligible employees of the following districts, counties, and charter schools who will start in a graduate education program through the School of Education or a graduate physical education program through the School of Behavioral Sciences.
Please note: The School of Education’s doctoral program (Ed.D. in Educational Leadership) is not eligible for any MOU discount. The discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid.
Contact the Student Services Center to work with a Student Account Specialist to see if your school district participates.
School of Behavioral Sciences Alumni Tuition Discounts
APU’s School of Behavioral Sciences offers an alumni tuition discount for APU alumni starting in the following graduate programs:
- Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization
- Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)1
- Master of Arts in Physical Education
- Master of Science in Child Life
- Master of Science in Physical Education
- Master of Science in Research Psychology and Data Analysis
- Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with Specialization in Children and Adolescents
- Students must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. Students must be enrolled at least half-time. If qualifications are met, the discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid.
- Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.
Note: Award and eligibility are applicable for the 2022-23 academic year and apply to students admitted beginning fall 2020. The discount is subject to change.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Physical Education
Graduate physical education students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better, and may not earn lower than a 2.7 (B-) in any PE core or content course. Students who earn below a 2.7 (B-) in a PE core or content course must retake the course and achieve the minimum GPA requirement.
Core Courses
- PE 551 Curriculum Theory and Design in Physical Education
- PE 582 Seminar in Professional Literature in Physical Education and Sport
- PE 585 Capstone in Physical Education and Sport
Content Courses
- PE 555 Sociological and Ethical Issues in Sport
- PE 560 Sports Medicine
- PE 565 Athletics and the Law
- PE 570 Leadership and Administration of Physical Education and Athletic Programs
- PE 575 Advanced Principles of Physical Conditioning
- PE 578 Sport Psychology
- PE 580 Wellness and Fitness for Life
Approved transfer units 3-6
Total Units 30
Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
- History and Philosophy of Physical Education: Synthesize the history and philosophy of Physical Education and how it interacts with the current discipline.
- Physical Education Fieldwork/Curriculum Assessment: Demonstrate proficiency in the development and evaluation of curriculum in Physical Education and Sport.
- Leadership and Administration in Physical Education and Sport: Apply the concepts of administration, organization, programming, evaluation, and leadership in Physical Education, Athletic Administration, and Sport management.
- Psychology, Sociology, and Ethics in Physical Education, Administration, and Sport: Apply psychology, sociology, and ethical theories and practices in Physical Education, Athletic Administration, and Sport management.
- Research and Writing: Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze research, develop a research proposal, and write according to APA standards.
- Integration of Faith: Integrate Christian values and biblical perspectives in Physical Education and Sport.
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary - Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary - Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education - Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education - Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors - Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise.
- Coaches and Scouts - Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes' strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes' technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching certifications should be reported in the appropriate teaching category.