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HUMAN PERFORMANCE EDUCATION

Human Performance Education: Essential for Healthy Students and a Thriving Nation

Physicians concerned about the health and well-being of students first introduced physical education in universities. Public schools added it to their curricula for reasons related to health and physical development, combined with the understanding that play is the child’s work and that children learn about the world around them through physical activity.

Today, regular physical activity and good nutrition are considered essential to health and reducing the incidence of major diseases. The U.S. Department of Health has identified human performance education in schools as a primary source of providing all students with an active and healthy lifestyle. Human performance education is found in schools in every community across Indiana and touches every child in America.

At Manchester University, we are furthering the mission to improve children’s health with our human performance education degree. We offer intensive academic coursework and hands-on teaching experiences. Our program is built for students who want to be physical education teachers, coaches or other professionals who help individuals with health and physical development.

MU HPE AT A GLANCE

83

Credits

3

Years*

Tuition

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Fall Session

August 2025

Learning Environment

On Campus

Faculty

Meet your professors

*HPE students can earn this degree in 3-4 years.

Why Choose Manchester for a Human Performance Education Degree?

Our program prepares you to take the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) examination before graduation. We are also an Educational Recognized Program (ERP) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Upon graduation, you will be eligible for Indiana state licensure as a P–12 educator.

Get hands-on experience in physical education

Our dynamic teacher education program provides continual practical experiences in our on-campus teaching laboratory, personal attention from professors in small classroom settings, and training in cutting-edge research in health and physical development. In addition, you’ll have immediate access to students in area schools for teaching and research opportunities, and you can help these kids develop an active and healthy lifestyle.

Gain critical human performance education skills

Special features of our program include:

  • Content Knowledge: You will learn human performance education content and disciplinary concepts related to helping children develop an active and healthy lifestyle.
  • Growth and Development: As a teacher, you will understand how individuals learn and develop and can provide opportunities that support their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.
  • Diverse Students: You will understand how individuals differ in their approaches to learning and create appropriate instruction adapted to these differences.
  • Management and Motivation: Human performance education teachers use an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a safe learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.
  • Communication: You will learn to use knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal and media communication techniques to enhance learning and engagement in physical activity settings.
  • Planning and Instruction: Teachers plan and implement a variety of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies to develop physically educated individuals, based on state and national standards.
  • Student Assessment: You will understand and use assessment to foster physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of students in physical activity.
  • Reflection: Human performance education teachers are reflective practitioners who evaluate the effects of their actions on others (e.g., students, parents/guardians, fellow professionals) and seek opportunities to grow professionally.
  • Technology: You will use information technology to enhance learning and to enhance personal and professional productivity.
  • Collaboration: As a teacher, you will foster relationships with colleagues, parents/guardians and community agencies to support students’ growth and well-being.

Learn from caring faculty

Our passionate faculty are strongly committed to making a difference in the lives of America’s youth. You will work closely with faculty and other students on practical learning and simulation.

Meet your professors

What Can You Do With a Human Performance Education Degree?

We enjoy a strong reputation for preparing human performance education teachers of ability and conviction, and we boast an excellent placement record for our graduates.

Certification as a physical education teacher opens opportunities for employment in virtually every community in the state, nationand overseas. All-grade (P–12) certification provides the opportunity to teach students human performance education in elementary, junior and high schools. Most positions also allow teachers to coach student-athletes in a sport. For those who enjoy working with enthusiastic children and youth in a subject they love, this is a great career.

A bachelor’s degree in human performance education not only prepares you for P–12 classrooms, but many of the skills learned in the program, such as communication, planning, organization and research, can be applied to alternative career paths. Graduates may choose to teach or seek employment with community agencies such as YMCAs, fitness centers, camps and other sport-related organizations. Additional career opportunities open for students who pursue graduate studies in education.

Explore Classes for Human Performance Education Majors

After completing our program, each human performance education teacher candidate should be able to:

  • Construct and deliver appropriate curriculum for P–12 students.
  • Assess students’ learning and development with a variety of measures to aid in appropriate and effective instructional planning.
  • Establish professional and reciprocal relationships with others invested in P–12 students’ learning.
  • Create positive and caring environments for student development and learning. Each class readies you to become a physical education teacher with hands-on experiences, labs and lectures run by credentialed, experienced faculty.
  • View all required courses for this program.

Get Started on Your Human Performance Education Degree

Take the next step toward earning your degree and helping children develop active and healthy lifestyles. We have the resources to help you get started.