Physical Education Endorsement

Expand your career opportunity by preparing for the PK-12 Physical Education Teacher Endorsement Certificate.

Once you hold a Professional Educator License (PEL) or Educator License with Stipulations endorsed in a teaching field, you can add additional content area endorsements. Endorsements make you a stronger candidate and expand your teaching opportunities. This program prepares you to take the ISBE Physical Education (144/213) test.

Online, on-campus and blended formats
Complete certificate with 6 courses, 18-semester hours, in 3 semesters
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Meets Illinois State Board of Education requirements
Led by highly qualified faculty holding master's and doctoral degrees
Applicable to any grade level, even if underlying teaching endorsement on the PEL is different grade range
Tuition is a fraction of the cost of other colleges
This program offers an entirely 8-Week Course format option. Learn more.

Certificate program requirements

Program Overview

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This 18 credit-hour certificate provides students with the skills and knowledge to teach physical education. Upon completion of the certificate program, students who already have a Professional Educator License (PEL) can apply for an endorsement in the field of physical education.

Students pursuing this Physical Education Endorsement certificate must have at minimum a bachelor’s degree and a valid Illinois teacher license. Applicants must take the Illinois Licensure Test Field 213: Physical Education, and complete an application to have this endorsement added to their teaching certificate.

Required Program Courses:

Number	Course Title	Credits
KIN 200	Introduction to the Field of Kinesiology	3
Description: Provides a fundamental introduction to the academic content areas that make up the discipline of kinesiology, including: anatomy & physiology, exercise science, biomechanics, motor control & learning, psychology and sociology. Introduces the professional field of kinesiology and looks at career paths within the major such as: Rehabilitation, Sports Management, Personal Training, and Physical Education. This course assesses students' personal traits and professional skill sets, with emphasis on development for increased candidacy in academic and/or professional pursuits related to the field of kinesiology. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 230	Exercise Science	3
Description: Provides an understanding of the physiological response and adaptation to exercise and other environmental stresses. Topics related to neuromuscular adaptation, metabolism, cardiorespiratory physiology, and hormonal responses will be examined. In addition, the physiological effects of age, gender, body composition, and the environment on human performance will be discussed. Prerequisite: Placement into ENG 101 english-placement-grid.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025

Electives: Choose 12 credit hours:

Number	Course Title	Credits
KIN 201	Physical Education in Elementary School	3
Description: Provides instruction on the growth and development of elementary school children and the planning and organization of elementary physical education programs. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 202	Standard First Aid and Cpr	3
Description: Provides a comprehensive first aid course which is taught under the guidelines of the American Heart Association (AHA). This course includes the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) component, which covers adult, child and infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). This course is designed to prepare students to respond to emergency situations with confidence in their ability to perform the necessary skills. Two certificates are issued (Basic Life Support (BLS) and Heartsaver FirstAid) after successful completion of the skills and written tests. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 203	Wellness for Life	3
Description: Provides students with the knowledge of how to become fit and well and the information and tools which will assist them in formulating a personal fitness/wellness program. The course will cover physical fitness, nutrition, weight management, addictive behaviors, diseases which are lifestyle related and stress management. Students are actively involved in their learning process through the use of computers and lab sessions and will be required to attend weekly workout sessions in the fitness center. This class is designed for students who are able to safely participate in cardiorespiratory and resistance activities and may include the use of equipment. This class is not designed for students who may have known heart, pulmonary, metabolic, physiological diseases and/ or orthopedic challenges. By registering for this class, you assume the full risk of any injuries, damages or loss which may be sustained and are responsible for any associated medical costs or individual damages. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 214	Exercise Technique and Instruction	2
Description: Provides practical instruction for the safe and effective execution of resistance exercise for all of the major joints of the body. Introduces students to basic strength training techniques and principles with functional anatomy. Exposes students to a variety of forms of resistance training. Emphasizes coaching and instruction of exercise with correction of errors and progression strategies. Recommended: KIN 111 or equivalent experience. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 217	Teaching Territory Games	3
Description: Places an emphasis on movement skill and knowledge within a territory game environment that is aligned with the National Standards for K-12 Physical Education. Students will develop common and specialized knowledge related to the skills needed in territory games and will have opportunities to plan and teach. In territory games, teams score when they move an implement into the opposing team’s zone. Tactical skills include maintaining possession, attacking and/or defending a goal, and winning the ball. Examples of territory games include soccer, basketball, football, lacrosse, rugby and hockey. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 220	Introduction to Coaching	3
Description: Provides students with the knowledge of the critical components involved in the profession of coaching. Helps students develop their coaching philosophy, learn methods of motivating athletes, learn to teach sort techniques and tactics, develop training/fitness conditioning programs, plan season workouts, understand team management, and understand coaching ethics, law and liability. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to take the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) Coaching Principles Certification exam. (NOTE: Passing the certification exam is part of the requirement for obtaining the Bronze Level ASEP Coaching Certification.) Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 221	Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries	3
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Provides students with the basic principles in the prevention and care of injuries related to sport activities. This course teaches students who plan to coach how to make the correct decisions during athletic play and provides them with the latest first aid protocols. The course meets the requirements for the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) Sport First Aid course. Students have the opportunity to take the ASEP test upon successful completion of the course. The course includes sports first aid, taping and padding techniques, the fitting of protective equipment and the role of coaches, parents, administrators, health care workers, fitness specialists and athletes in injury prevention and care. An introduction to the athletic training profession will also be covered. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 222	Sports Officiating	2
Description: Provides comprehensive instruction on rules and officiating techniques in interscholastic sports. Students will also have the necessary preparation for the Illinois High School Athletic Association certification exam as well as other certifying agencies. Officiating opportunities are provided in college intramural and intercollegiate athletic programs. Some sports covered--but not limited to--are basketball, baseball and volleyball. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 223	Sports Psychology	3
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Provides an overview of sport and exercise psychology by focusing on human behavior in certain types of situations in sport and exercise settings. Examines what motivates people, how they regulate their thoughts, feelings and emotions and how their behaviors can become more effective. Also teaches students how to apply these psychological concepts. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 224	Sociology of Sport	3
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Provides students with a global and issue-oriented approach to the study of how sport has evolved and influenced us in our society. Examines topics which include--but are not limited to--the effects of sport involvement on socialization; sports and children; violence in sports; gender and sports; race, religion and ethnicity and sports; and sports and the media. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 225	Sports Nutrition	3
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Provides in-depth study of the physiological principles behind sports nutrition as it relates to the influence of nutrition on exercise performance, exercise training and recovery. (Also listed as NTR 225. Credit will be given for either NTR 225 or KIN 225, but not both.) Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 231	Fitness Assessment and Programming	3
Description: Provides students with a study of the basic scientific components of physical fitness. Includes the measurement of different indices of fitness common to corporate, clinical, and lab settings. Addresses principles of exercise programming. Test results are used in developing individualized exercise prescriptions to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, body composition, and flexibility. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in KIN 230 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
KIN 236	Functional Anatomy	3
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Examines the structural and functional components of the human musculoskeletal system as it relates to normal and abnormal movement. Addresses joint structure and function, forces that effect motion and the resultant kinematics. Emphasis is on musculoskeletal anatomy. Prerequisite: Placement into ENG 101 english-placement-grid.php Also BIO 135, BIO 260 or equivalent is recommended. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025

Sample Plan

This certificate can be taken in fully online 8-week classes using the schedule below:

Summer Semester (8 weeks each taken at the same time)

KIN 200 W01 Introduction to the Field of Kinesiology
KIN 220 W01 Introduction to Coaching

Fall Semester

1st 8 weeks: KIN 224 Sociology and Sports
2nd 8 weeks: KIN 236 W80 Functional Anatomy

Spring Semester

1st 8 weeks: KIN 230 W70 Exercise Science
2nd 8 weeks: KIN 223 W80 Sports Psychology

Related programs

Health Education Teaching Endorsement certificate
Additional teacher endorsement programs offered by Harper College.

Next steps

For more information about teaching endorsement prep courses at Harper, please contact Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.