Physical Education

Join our winning team by becoming a part of one of the best and most highly regarded physical education programs in the nation. Always dreamed of educating students but in an active way? At Cortland, you will integrate physical education theory with hands-on practice, utilizing a range of teaching styles and instructional strategies. This major leads to New York state certification to teach physical education to grades K-12.

Special Features

• Early field experiences in schools
• Specialized indoor activity areas include ice arena, Olympic-sized pool, two dance studios, gymnastics gymnasium, four all-purpose gymnasiums, including one with a ropes course/climbing wall, squash/racquetball courts and a wrestling room
• Specialized outdoor activity areas include a field house with a synthetic floor surface, tennis courts, softball field, baseball field and a multipurpose athletic complex that includes two turf fields suitable for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and football, as well as an eight-lane all-weather 400 meter track with multiple runways and pits for jumping events.
• Two-week long outdoor education program in the Adirondacks
• Opportunities to be teaching and research assistants

Get Involved

College is more than a classroom. Enhance your experience with extracurricular opportunities such as studying abroad, collaborating with professors, attending state and national conferences, and fulfilling your student teaching requirement, possibly even in Australia.

“The vigorous physical education program here is beyond any expectation I ever had, and I am confident that I will graduate extremely prepared for my profession and be able to positively impact many students’ lives through the use of all the comprehensive knowledge I have gained in my program at SUNY Cortland.”
- Brian Renta, physical education major

Student Clubs

• Alliance of Physical Education Majors (APEM)
• Education Club
• Fit Club

Next Steps