University of Wollongong

Bachelor of Health and Physical Education

Health and Physical Education teachers educate and promote a range of movement areas including games and sports, dance, gymnastics, aquatics and athletics. They also promote healthy lifestyle issues in schools to encourage lifelong movement, healthy behaviours associated with drugs, good nutrition, self-esteem development, knowledge about sexual health and interpersonal skills.

This four-year degree gives you expert theory and professional experience for employment as a Health and Physical Education teacher. You may also gain employment in other educational environments, with roles such as Game Development Officers and coaching in sports or active after school care programs. You will learn through face-to-face delivery in classrooms, online learning and community settings.

You will complete extensive professional experience throughout your degree, which allows you to learn by observation and apply your skills in the classroom. This includes a Professional Experience (PEX) in second and third year with a final seven week PEX/Internship in fourth year. You will also have opportunities for rural and international professional experiences, to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion programs.

You can also apply for the Honours program, which is embedded in third/ fourth year, involves a research project under academic supervision. Entry to honours is based on application and merit.

What you will study

You will study health and physical education subjects including movement skills, games and sports, rhythmic movement, mental health and sexuality, relationships, drug and personal safety, curriculum and pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching), anatomy and physiology, biomechanics and educational foundations. You will also study broader complementary subjects including Aboriginal Education, Information and Communication Technology, Learners with Exceptional Needs, Educational Research, Communication, and Risk and Behaviour Management.

Teaching is an academically rigorous profession and teachers play a critical role in our communities. Strengthening requirements for studying teaching degrees in an initiative of the NSW Government to ensure that initial teacher education programs prepare high quality graduate teachers who can respond to the needs of all learners to make a positive impact on student learning. At UOW we are committed to ensuring our graduates are of the highest standard by setting appropriate entry criteria and maintaining a strongly developmental program that supports teacher education students from diverse backgrounds with diverse experiences, abilities and perspectives to become the teachers of the future.