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Physical Education

Why choose Physical Education at UVic?

The Minor in Physical Education is a 15-unit minor that can be combined with most UVic majors. It is designed mainly for students who want to become secondary school physical and health education teachers.

As part of the physical education minor, you’ll gain:

  • an understanding of fundamental movement skills across a range of physical activities
  • the ability to develop student-appropriate learning experiences
  • an appreciation of critical issues in physical education
  • opportunities to build professional problem-solving skills
  • hands-on experience working in different physical environments with students from local schools

You’ll study on UVic’s Victoria, BC campus, with access to courses and learning experiences connected to education, health, movement and active living.

Peer-mentorship program

Get paired with an upper-year undergraduate Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education student with similar interests. Your mentor will help you get settled into campus life at the beginning of the semester. You’ll have weekly virtual check-ins and monthly in-person check-ins throughout the year. This is a great way to meet friends and stay connected.

Hands-on learning

  • Teach students in local middle schools and high schools.
  • Take part in a range of physical and peer-teaching activities.
  • Teach physical activities to children with special educational needs.
  • Design and conduct a research project that monitors the stages of learning a motor skill.
  • Learn to analyze movement using high-speed video, wearable sensors, and cutting-edge technology.

Student life & community

Take part in the Physical Education, Recreation, and Kinesiology Student Society’s social and sporting events, and career-development activities.

Physical activity & sport courses

  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Dance
  • Field hockey
  • Gymnastics
  • Outdoor education
  • Rock climbing
  • Rugby Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Yoga

Sample courses

  • Strategies for Games in Physical Education
  • Children and Youth with Special Needs in Physical Activities 
  • Health Education for Children and Youth
  • Experiential Outdoor Education

Physical education career pathway

The Minor in Physical Education is 1 of 4 pathways UVic offers toward a physical education career. To become a secondary school physical education teacher, you must:

  • complete an undergraduate degree complete a post-degree professional program
  • apply for certification as a teacher in British Columbia or elsewhere

Learn more about UVic’s physical education teaching pathway

Career possibilities

  • Physical and health education teacher
  • Schoolteacher
  • Coach
  • Fitness and sport leader
  • Health and wellness educator
  • Physical education researcher
  • Recreational program planner

Admission

This is a minor program that can be added to your primary degree to broaden your studies. You can declare your minor after one or more years of full-time study at UVic.

Your academic advisor can help you plan your courses to ensure you meet the requirements of both your major and minor programs.

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