Overview of Health and Physical Education/Fitness

Health and Physical Education (HPE) and Fitness programs incorporate traditional physical activities (running, jumping, throwing, etc.) as well as components of nutrition, health, and wellness. Through the study of these areas, HPE professionals develop and instruct students to maintain healthy lifestyles and develop physical performance.

How Difficult is it to get a Doctorate in Health and Physical Education/Fitness?

Getting a doctoral degree in health and physical education/fitness is often a long and challenging process. Completion of doctoral coursework may require three to five years of intensive study depending upon the nature of the doctoral program and research. Additionally, most doctoral programs require original and in-depth thesis or dissertation research to be completed in order to graduate. This often requires additional months or even years of research.

What are the career opportunities for professionals with a Doctoral Degree in Health and Physical Education/Fitness?

Professional with a Doctoral Degree in Health and Physical Education/Fitness often pursue careers as university professors, health educators, coaches, or personal trainers. These professionals are also qualified to oversee wellness and health programs at schools and companies, work as curriculum developers, hold fitness director roles, and explore research and program evaluation roles.

Are you expected to teach when obtaining a Doctoral Degree in Health and Physical Education/Fitness?

While students obtaining a Doctoral Degree in Health and Physical Education/Fitness typically do not teach, teaching may be a requirement of their doctorate program. Many doctoral programs give students the opportunity to complete a teaching apprenticeship and may even provide wages to those assistants accepted. Ultimately, those seeking a doctoral degree in health and physical education/fitness should determine if teaching responsibilities are a necessary or optional requirement for their program.

What are the typical steps in getting a Doctoral Degree in Health and Physical Education/Fitness?

The typical steps for getting a doctoral degree in health and physical education/fitness involve the completion of two different types of acceptable academic components. First, students must complete several courses in a formal program along with an additional dissertation. The dissertation is a culminating project that has to be written and defended in front of a faculty committee. The second academic component to acquire a doctoral degree in health and physical education/fitness is to complete an intensive internship program, customarily related to teaching, research or a related field.

Is a Doctorate in Health and Physical Education/Fitness worth pursuing?

A doctoral degree in health and physical education/fitness is considered a terminal degree in the field, providing graduates with the power to reach the highest career heights in their specified field. With a doctoral degree comes greater respect, credibility and expanded promotion and career opportunities. Both private and public organizations are turning to experts with a doctorate to help develop innovative programs, strategies and policies.

Impact of artificial intelligence on Health and Physical Education/Fitness?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly infiltrating many aspects of health and physical education/fitness. AI can be used to improve the accuracy of fitness tracking apps, develop virtual coaches, provide personalized nutrition plans, and create virtual learning and fitness experiences. As AI technology continues to advance, its applications in the health and physical education/fitness sectors are likely to become even more prevalent.

The career outlook for Doctorates in Health and Physical Education/Fitness?

The career outlook remains strong for Doctorates in Health and Physical Education/Fitness. With the rise in research and innovations related to physical fitness, nutrition, health and wellness, it is not surprising that many companies and organizations are actively employing or hiring doctorates. As technology continues to evolve, the need for experts with doctoral degrees in HPE and fitness to address complex issues will continue to rise.

Here are the top reported starting salaries for graduates in Health and Physical Education/Fitness:

United States Sports Academy, Salary: $69,500

For privacy reasons, not all schools report the first year salaries for students who earned their doctoral degree in Health and Physical Education/Fitness.