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Bring your passion for health, fitness, and sports to life in the PK–12 environment by teaching students the importance of being physically active and adopting healthy habits for a lifelong commitment to well-being.
Students explore the latest research-based approaches to teaching a variety of physical activities and sports as well as health and wellness principles in our state-of-the-art facilities. You will be equipped with the experience you need to work in a variety of PK–12 education settings, from top-ranked schools in Northern Virginia to beyond.
Health and physical education examines the development of youths' physical, cognitive, social, and emotional skills, through a variety of sports, physical activities, and healthy habits, and prepare students to teach health and physical education in K-12 schools
Students entering as freshmen majoring in physical education will initially be accepted with Pre-PHED (BPRE) status until requirements are met to be accepted into the program.
To apply for BSEd status:
Students complete a student teaching experience in their final semester.
Career options for graduates of this BSEd include:
- Health and physical education teacher at the elementary level
- Health and physical education teacher at the middle or high school level
- Driver’s education teacher (requires an add-on endorsement)
- Coaching
- Camp director
- Recreation leaders
- Youth sport activity leaders
George Mason University will verify completion of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) state-approved preparation program at the graduate or undergraduate level. Such verification does not guarantee the issuance of a Virginia Collegiate Professional, Postgraduate Professional, or Pupil Personnel license from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is solely the student's responsibility to comply with all requirements for licensure by the Commonwealth. Under Virginia law, a social security number is required for licensure.
This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.
Mason Core Requirements (38 credits)
Professional Sequence (82 credits)
Students should carefully read the Notes section at the end of this description before registering for courses listed below. Courses must be taken concurrently
First Year Fall Semester
First Year Spring Semester
First Year Summer
Second Year Fall Semester
Second Year Spring Semester
Third Year Fall Semester
Must obtain BSEd status by end of semester
Third Year Spring Semester
Fourth Year Fall Semester
Student Teaching Application - due by Sep 1 for spring placement and Feb 1 for fall placement
Fourth Year Spring Semester
Total: 120 credits
To enroll in PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits), physical education majors must:
Application deadlines are listed below and forms are located at Student Teaching and Field Experience.
Student Teaching Internship Application Deadlines:
- Fall Semester—February 1
- Spring Semester—September 1
- Students are not permitted to enroll in HEAL 405: Teaching Methods in Health Education (K-12) (3 credits), PHED 308: Adapted Physical Education (3 credits), PHED 403: Elementary School Instruction in Physical Education (3 credits), PHED 404: Middle and High School Instruction in Physical Education (3 credits), and PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits) until they have met all BSEd application requirements.
- A grade of C or better is required in the following courses: PHED 202: Teaching Skillful Movement (3 credits), PHED 308: Adapted Physical Education (3 credits), PHED 403: Elementary School Instruction in Physical Education (3 credits), PHED 404: Middle and High School Instruction in Physical Education (3 credits) and HEAL 405: Teaching Methods in Health Education (K-12) (3 credits).
- Students must complete student teaching (PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits)) within 5 years of completing PHED 202: Teaching Skillful Movement (3 credits). If more than five years have elapsed between taking PHED 202: Teaching Skillful Movement (3 credits) and student teaching (PHED 415: Student Teaching in Physical Education (12 credits)), students will have to retake PHED 202: Teaching Skillful Movement (3 credits) before they can student teach.
- Students must earn at least 10 professional developments points to achieve BSEd status and 20 additional points to apply for student teaching. Professional developments points may be earned by attending or volunteering at various events and activities.
- Additionally, students will be expected to achieve and maintain the healthy zone of health-related fitness as measured by FitnessGram® throughout their program. Accommodations will be made for students with documented physical disabilities.
- Our program requires multiple field experiences, and our school and agency partners require Mason students to be fingerprinted and pass a criminal background check prior to field experience work. Students must assume the risk that classes may be deferred and their program delayed due to the individual severity of notations on such a check and review by individual agencies.
- face-to-face
- synchronous and asynchronous online classes
Freshman
- Non-Binding Early Action Deadline: November 1
- Regular Decision Deadline: January 15
Transfer
- Fall Priority Deadline: March 1
- Spring Priority Deadline: October 1
For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.
Prospective Mason students can visit the How to Apply page for more information about submitting an application.
Learn about submission deadlines and admissions requirements using the links below:
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$575.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$1,582.50
(includes MSF*) |
CEHD Course Fee
($25/credit with higher per credit or flat course fees for internship and select ATEP, RECR, and RMGT courses) |
$25.00 - $257.00 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$600.50 - $832.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$1,607.50 - $1,839.50 |
Undergraduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$360 | $285 for transfer students |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $155.00
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
Your Academic Advisor is Linda Krout:
Email: lkrout@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-2096
Office: Fairfax Campus - Recreation Athletic Complex, ROTC Suite across from Room 2109
Prospective Students
Please visit this page for more information.
Orientation Advising
Please review this PowerPoint for more information on the Health and Physical Education program.
Schedule an Appointment to meet with Mrs. Krout
- Sign into Navigate Mason with your Mason credentials. (If you are a prospective student click here for your instructions.)
- Click on Get Assistance.
- Select Academic Advising.
- Select College of Education and Human Development.
- Select Health & Physical Education.
- Select College of Education and Human Development from the office pulldown menu.
- Select Linda Krout as your advisor.
- Identify an open meeting time and click Next to confirm your appointment.
If you are 10 minutes late or arrive at the wrong location, your appointment will be canceled and you will have to reschedule. Please make sure you are aware of the time and location when scheduling an appointment.
If you need to cancel your appointment, please do so as soon as possible (24 hours minimum notice appreciated) so we may offer that time to another student.
Advising Resources
*Remember that the year your major is declared becomes the catalog year that you follow for coursework requirements.
PRAXIS and VCLA Help
PRAXIS Preparation Workshops are provided through the School of Education; email: oes@gmu.edu
- VCLA website
- See PRAXIS II content knowledge (5857) preparation materials
- VCLA Online Course and Practice Tests – see Advisor for Mason Student Instruction Sheet
- Praxis II Content Knowledge Health and Physical Education Practice Tests on Canvas – see Advisor to Register
Dominique Banville
Academic Program Coordinator
Risto Marttinen
Luanne Norden
Nancy Jacobson
Linda Krout