Secondary Education, K-12 Education and Educational Technology

Beginning Fall 2017, the Department of Secondary Education, K-12 Education, & Educational Technology began offering a major in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) for undergraduate degree-seeking students seeking K-12 Physical Education teacher licensure. 

Our mission is to prepare physical educators who will make a difference in their communities and the lives of their students. If you’re interested in becoming a physical education teacher, MSU Denver just may be the perfect choice. The Physical Education teaching major encompasses courses on effective teaching and curriculum planning along with a variety of fitness and physical activities. You’ll integrate physical education theory with hands-on practice as you complete over 200 hours of fieldwork in addition to student teaching.

The Bachelor of Science in K-12 Physical Education at MSU Denver prepares students to teach kindergarten through high school PE in public or private schools. Business organizations and the U.S. military also employ physical educators. Our bachelor's degree provides a solid foundation for graduate education and advanced work in physical education and other related fields. Course work leads to K-12 physical education licensure and health education licensure in Colorado. In addition to the bachelor degree program, the department offers a licensure-only option for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another discipline.

The K-12 PE program delivers dynamic courses that prepare students for the real-world career of teaching physical education, while also offering everything that is distinctive about MSU Denver. K-12 Physical Education students have the following unique opportunities.

• Enjoy attending classes on a vibrant and diverse campus located in downtown Denver.
• Benefit from small, interactive classes and full-time, supportive faculty and advisors.
• Improve your knowledge and skill through multiple hands on and clinical experiences.
• Learn through in class teaching opportunities and a 16-week student teaching experience.
• Take advantage of our extensive community network to help secure your future job.
• Join the Physical Education Teacher Education Club to build relationships with peers.
• Graduate with pride from a nationally accredited K-12 physical education program.

Sample Classes:

• Methods of Teaching Elementary Physical Education
• Methods of Teaching Secondary Physical Education
• School Health Education
• Multicultural Education
• Methods of Outdoor Education
• Elementary Field Experience
• Secondary Field Experience
• Curricular Aspects of Teaching Elementary Physical Education
• Motor Learning

Check out our detailed advising guides below on this page for a detailed look at course requirements for this major.

Please schedule an appointment with a PETE advisor to discuss the next steps to get started in this program.

We offer teacher licensure programs in conjunction with content area majors for undergraduate degree-seeking students who are interested in teaching specific content areas.  Each major option has a specific concentration designed for students who seek to earn teacher licensure.  Upon successfully completing your major and licensure program, you will earn a bachelor's degree and recommendation to the Colorado Department of Education for licensure, all within the time it takes to complete a four-year degree.

K-12 Content Areas:

• Art (Major in Art Education)
• Music (Major in Music Education)
• Physical Education (Major in Physical Education Teacher Education)
• World Languages (French, Spanish) (Major in Modern Languages)

Secondary (7th-12th Grade) Content Areas:

• English (Major in English)
• Math (Major in Math)
• Science (Major in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Physics)
• Social Studies (Major in Africana Studies, Chicano Studies, Economics, History or Political Science)

See below on this page for detailed advising guides for these programs. 

Please schedule an appointment with an advisor to discuss the next steps to get started in one of these programs.

We offer teacher licensure programs at the undergraduate level for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.  Your previous degree should be focused in the content area you wish to teach.  If it is not, you will complete the necessary content area coursework (or in some cases, a second bachelor's degree) to meet the standards for teaching in your selected content area.  Along with any remaining content area coursework, you will also complete courses in teacher education. Upon successful completion of your licensure program, you will receive a recommendation to the Colorado Department of Education for licensure in the completed content area.

K-12 Content Areas:

• Art
• Physical Education
• World Languages

Secondary (7th-12th Grade) Content Areas:

• English
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies (a bachelor's degree in a recognized social studieds content area is required)

See below on this page for detailed advising guides for these programs. 

Please  to discuss the next steps to get started in one of these programs.

We offer a minor in Secondary Education which consists mostly of the Foundation and Methods courses from our teacher licensure programs for secondary and k-12 education.  In order to complete this minor, you must still apply and be admitted to the School of Education, and completion of this minor does not result in recommendation for teacher licensure.  This minor may serve a useful purpose for students who are looking to graduate without completing their teacher licensure program.  Please schedule an appointment with an advisor to discuss this minor before requesting a declaration.  For details on the required courses for this minor, please visit the MSU Denver catalog.

We offer certificate programs in Instructional Technology for undergraduate degree-seeking students and post-baccalaureate students.  These programs focus on the design, creation, utilization, and evaluation of dynamic learning objects within the context of a variety of real world learning experiences.  Please visit the Instructional Technology Certificate page for details.