About The Program
As a student in our B.S.Ed. Physical Education program, you’ll learn scientific and fitness principles, pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching), and curriculum development from our diverse and experienced faculty.
Coursework within the major falls into three categories:
- Physical education methodology
- General teacher preparation
- Exercise science
Physical education methodology courses train prospective teachers to promote physical literacy and are specific to the gymnasium.
Teacher preparation and physical education methods coursework, which are required for teacher licensure, prepare you for Praxis content exams and application for teacher licensure in South Dakota.
Students who graduate from this program will also have the strong science background necessary to be an exceptional physical educator, including coursework in anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and motor behavior.
This major prepares you to for careers such as:
- Teaching physical education in a K-12 setting - NSU teacher candidates have a 95 percent career placement rate.
- Employment opportunities with the YMCA or Boys and Girls Club
- Positions at fitness centers or recreation programs.
You’ll receive career planning assistance from your academic advisor and HPE faculty.
For more information on careers in your major or help choosing a major, contact Career Services.
Physical education majors complete a semester of student teaching before graduation. We'll work closely with you and our connections to find internships and field experiences suitable to your interests.
School of Education scholarships are available to incoming freshmen and upperclassmen. For details, please call the School of Education at 605-626-2415.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today:
- Physical Education Academic Advisor: Tim Moffett, 605-626-2272 or Tim.Moffett@northern.edu.
Want to learn more about living and learning at Northern? Contact NSU Admissions today 605-626-2544 or admissions@northern.edu!
Still unsure of a major? We can help! Contact Career Services at 605-626-3007 or careerservices@northern.edu.
Our Faculty
I am the academic advisor for health and physical education and psychology and business administration at Northern. Since 2015, I have greatly enjoyed working with Northern students. Before moving to South Dakota, I worked and lived in Minnesota, Illinois, Wyoming, South Korea, and Wisconsin. I graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Eureka College (Illinois) and a master's of science in counseling (K-12 and higher education) from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
At the University of South Carolina, Dr. Shortt studied physical literacy, K-12 sport and physical activity (PA) policy, and child/adolescent PA behaviors in and out of educational settings. The publication of Dr. Shortt’s dissertation, "Conceptualizing Physical Literacy for Assessment of High School Students in the United States," can be found at University of South Carolina Scholar Commons.
Dr. Shortt is Northern's SPL graduate coordinator, chair of the Sports Sciences Department, and faculty athletic representative. She is a member of the International Physical Literacy Association and serves as a country lead.
Dr. Shortt is dedicated to enhancing undergraduate and graduate research and providing advanced hands-on learning opportunities at Northern.