Physical Education Major

Join our winning team by becoming a part of one of the best and most highly regarded physical education programs in the nation. Always dreamed of educating students but in an active way? At Cortland, you will integrate physical education theory with hands-on practice, utilizing a range of teaching styles and instructional strategies. This major leads to New York state certification to teach physical education to grades K-12.

Physical Education Careers

K-12 physical education teacher
Adapted physical education teacher
Adapted physical education specialist for hospitals, children’s centers and community- based programs
Educator at an outdoor center

What Will I Learn?

Leadership and practical skills needed to effectively implement physical education curriculum in schools
Effective teaching, curriculum and assessment practices
A broad spectrum of fitness, sports and lifelong physical activities
Certification to coach interscholastic sports

Concentration Options

Special Features

Early field experiences in schools
Specialized indoor activity areas include ice arena, Olympic-sized pool, two dance studios, gymnastics gymnasium, four all-purpose gymnasiums, including one with a ropes course/climbing wall, squash/racquetball courts and a wrestling room
Specialized outdoor activity areas include a field house with a synthetic floor surface, tennis courts, softball field, baseball field and a multipurpose athletic complex that includes two turf fields suitable for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and football, as well as an eight-lane all-weather 400 meter track with multiple runways and pits for jumping events.
Two-week long outdoor education program in the Adirondacks
Opportunities to be teaching and research assistants

Get Involved

College is more than a classroom. Enhance your experience with extracurricular opportunities such as studying abroad, collaborating with professors, attending state and national conferences, and fulfilling your student teaching requirement, possibly even in Australia.

“The vigorous physical education program here is beyond any expectation I ever had, and I am confident that I will graduate extremely prepared for my profession and be able to positively impact many students’ lives through the use of all the comprehensive knowledge I have gained in my program at SUNY Cortland.”
- Brian Renta, physical education major

Student Clubs

Next Steps

Contact Us

Office: Park Center, Room 1126
Phone: 607-753-5577
Fax: 607-753-5975

Fast Facts

SUNY Cortland’s Physical Education department is one of the best and most highly regarded in the nation.
SUNY Cortland has one of the nation’s largest and oldest undergraduate programs in physical education.