Best Bachelor's in Health Teacher Education Programs in 2026

This Health Education major leads to a Bachelor of Science of 124 credit hours and prepares candidates for New York State K-12 school health teaching certification. The curriculum begins with human anatomy and physiology and moves through health content courses paired with a well-developed fieldwork and internship program, culminating in a student teaching placement, with an option to student teach in Australia. Delivery is on campus. SUNY Cortland's Professional Education Unit, which houses this program, holds accreditation from AAQEP through December 31, 2029. Earning a bachelor's degree in health teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's secondary school teachers.

Indiana University Bloomington offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science with a school health education emphasis, a four-year, on-campus path for future middle and high school health teachers that requires at least 120 credits. Because it sits at the meeting point of health and teaching, candidates must be admitted to both the School of Public Health's health education program and the School of Education's Teacher Education Program. Preparation moves from field observation into a microteaching lab and then into full student teaching, giving candidates progressively more responsibility in front of students. A subject-area licensure test rounds out the requirements. Passing it earns an Indiana Provisional Teaching Certificate for secondary health education, clearing the way into the classroom. This bachelor's-level health teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Indiana.

Elon offers Physical Education and Health as a K-12 teacher licensure area, housed in the Department of Health and Human Performance and completed through the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education. Candidates take the PEH 4230 methods course, a K-12 practicum (PEH 4980), and a full semester of student teaching (EDU 4970) with a required licensure seminar, and must pass edTPA for initial North Carolina licensure. Earning a bachelor's degree in health teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of North Carolina's secondary school teachers.

This Bachelor of Science in Health Education prepares graduates to apply for New York State initial teacher certification in health education, grades K-12, and to teach in public and private schools. Field experience begins in the first year with school observations and assisting health and physical education teachers, increasing each year and culminating in a full semester of supervised student teaching in the senior year. A four-year dual-degree option adds physical education, yielding initial New York State certification in both health education K-12 and physical education K-12. Ithaca College states its education programs are accredited as a unit by AAQEP. Delivered on campus. Graduates of this health teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

The University of Nevada, Reno offers a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education through its College of Education and Human Development, preparing students to teach at the middle or high school level (grades 6-12). The pathway leads to teacher licensure. According to the college, 90 percent of graduates reported receiving a job after graduation, and delivery is on campus. Graduates of this health teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

This Bachelor of Science in Health Education covers physical, mental, social, and emotional health and includes the required education coursework leading to Minnesota teacher licensure. The school lists Health among its grade 5-12 licensure programs, and candidates complete extensive field work followed by student teaching. Graduates are prepared to teach in public and private schools or work as health educators in other settings. Instruction is delivered on campus. The university states its educator preparation programs meet standards set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, but that is a provider-level statement rather than a health-education program accreditation. Earning a bachelor's degree in health teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Minnesota's secondary school teachers.

George Mason's College of Education and Human Development offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Education in Health and Physical Education leading to a Virginia PreK-12 license to teach both health and physical education. The curriculum connects physical education with holistic wellness and public health. Undergraduates accumulate at least 30 field hours plus a full semester of student teaching (12 credits) placed at both elementary and secondary levels. Courses are offered face-to-face and in synchronous and asynchronous online formats, so delivery is hybrid rather than fully online. This bachelor's-level health teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Virginia.

Lee University's Health/Wellness, K-12 Teacher Licensure bachelor's degree is offered through the Helen DeVos College of Education and the Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Secondary Education. The program leads to K-12 licensure in Health/Wellness Education, with curriculum emphasizing anatomy, self-care, and techniques to motivate students toward healthy, productive lives. As the university states, teacher licensure in Health/Wellness Education qualifies professionals for productive careers teaching grades K-12. A bachelor's-level path in health teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Tennessee.

Kent State University's health teacher education is offered through the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies within the College of Education, Health and Human Services. The university also offers a School Health Education P-12 additional licensure preparation track, intended for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in education and want to add a P-12 health education endorsement to an existing Ohio teaching license. This bachelor's-level health teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Ohio.

Murray State University combines two related fields in its Health and Physical Education degree, offered as either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts and leading to P-12 teaching certification. Rather than treating health and movement separately, the program teaches them together and grounds the work in community and school-based experiential learning, so candidates practice in the very settings where they will eventually teach. Students who want to coach can add an Athletic Coaching Minor. For those who decide against the classroom, a non-certification option redirects the same foundation toward roles in parks and recreation, YMCAs, non-profits, coaching, and fitness and wellness. The degree is delivered on campus through the Adolescent, Career and Special Education unit. This bachelor's-level health teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Kentucky.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public university in Carbondale, Illinois. Its health teacher education program sits at the undergraduate level within the university's teacher preparation offerings and is focused on preparing students to teach health education. As a bachelor's path in the field, it centers on health content and the instructional methods used to teach it in school settings. This bachelor's-level health teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Illinois.

Health and wellness sit at the center of the University of Kentucky's Bachelor of Science in Education in health teacher education, a four-year, 128-hour degree that leads to K-12 certification. Rooted in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, it gives candidates a choice: dual certification in both physical and health education, or concentrated study in a single discipline. The program saves its most intensive work for the final year, when students complete two six-credit practicums, one in physical education and one in health education, each requiring prior admission to the Teacher Education Program. That capstone turns a semester of coursework into sustained classroom teaching. The degree is approved by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board and accredited by AAQEP. As a bachelor's degree in health teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Kentucky.

Illinois State University's School Health Education major, leading to a B.S.Ed. through the Department of Health Sciences, prepares students to teach health in schools. The program keeps candidates connected to real classrooms early, sending them to observe a variety of diverse settings before they conclude with a full student teaching experience. That progression from observation to leading a room helps future teachers build confidence in stages. Licensure comes through the Illinois State Board of Education, and the university's on-campus educator preparation system meets standards set by both the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The university adds that one in seven Illinois public school teachers is an Illinois State graduate. As a bachelor's degree in health teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Illinois.

At the University of Minnesota-Duluth, health teaching does not stand on its own; it comes bundled into the Bachelor of Applied Science in Health and Physical Education, offered through Applied Human Sciences in the College of Education and Human Service Professions. The combined design means graduates qualify for two Minnesota licenses at once, Health Education for grades 5-12 and Physical Education for grades K-12, a pairing that widens where a new teacher can work. Early, hands-on experiences across K-12 settings build up before candidates take on student teaching in both a PE classroom and a health classroom within a single semester. Students can round out the degree with related minors such as Coaching, Developmental Adapted Physical Education, or Outdoor Education. All of it happens on campus in Duluth, with program approval from the Minnesota PELSB. As a bachelor's degree in health teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Minnesota.

Ripon College offers an undergraduate pathway to K-12 licensure in physical education and health through its Department of Educational Studies. Candidates build classroom experience through a pre-student teaching practicum before completing a full semester of student teaching in physical education and health, supported by an accompanying student teaching seminar. As a bachelor's degree in health teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Wisconsin.

Wayne State University's Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education Teaching prepares candidates to lead both gym and health classes across the K-12 range, and it is built around a heavy dose of real teaching time. Housed in the Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies within the College of Education, the 120-credit degree was developed with the Michigan Department of Education and logs more than 600 hours of direct teaching experience, including a 10-credit student teaching and seminar course. Candidates who pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in both content areas earn a K-12 Health and Physical Education endorsement. Those who want to specialize can add a 21-credit Adapted Physical Education concentration. An AGRADE pathway lets strong students get an early start on a master's degree. Graduates of this health teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

The University of Mount Union offers a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education that leads to PreK-12 teaching licensure and includes principles of health and wellness content. Delivered face to face on campus in Alliance, Ohio, the program combines major coursework with the college's Integrative Core and requires students to complete 600 or more hours of classroom and field experience. It holds CAEP and NASPE accreditation. Graduates of this health teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

At Utah State University, Health Teacher Education is offered as a minor paired with a teaching major rather than a standalone degree, through Kinesiology and Health Science in the College of Education and Human Services. It leads to a Health Education endorsement from the Utah State Board of Education and adds a K-12 health teaching credential for students who already hold or are earning a Utah teaching license. Coursework includes practicum experience, completed on campus before students are recommended for the endorsement. Earning a bachelor's degree in health teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Utah's secondary school teachers.

Bridgewater State University offers a bachelor's program in health teacher education through the Department of Health and Kinesiology in the College of Education and Health Sciences. The department's undergraduate majors include exercise physiology, health science, health studies, public health, and physical education. The health teaching licensure pathway at the university is a postbaccalaureate program for candidates who already hold a bachelor's degree. Graduates of this health teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

Virginia Commonwealth University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Health and Physical Education prepares candidates to teach wellness and movement across the PK-12 range, leading to Virginia initial licensure in the field. Offered through the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education, the program recognizes how different young children and older students can be, and it builds that awareness into its clinical work. During the senior year, candidates take on full-time field experiences in two contrasting settings, one elementary and one at the middle or high school level, so they graduate ready for either. That progression from coursework into real classrooms gives students a grounded sense of how health and physical education actually plays out day to day. The on-campus program is accredited by CAEP. Earning a bachelor's degree in health teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Virginia's secondary school teachers.

Western Connecticut State University takes a hands-on approach to its Bachelor of Science in Health Education, weaving fieldwork through the program rather than saving it all for the end. As candidates preparing to teach PreK-12 move through their methods courses, they are placed in elementary, middle, and secondary Professional Development Schools, so they see health instruction across every age group before their full-time student teaching semester. That early and layered classroom exposure gives the degree a strongly practical character. The program carries accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and national recognition from SOPHE, signals that its standards are externally reviewed. Completion leads to Connecticut's Initial Educator Certificate in Health Education, making it a good match for students who want to teach wellness across a full PreK-12 span. As a bachelor's degree in health teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Connecticut.

Central Michigan University's Health and Physical Education major treats health and movement as a single teaching field, preparing candidates for a combined certificate valid across grades K-12. Offered on campus through the Department of Physical Education and Sport, the coursework digs into health topics such as nutrition, physical fitness, substance abuse prevention, and disease prevention, giving future teachers a broad base to draw on. What stands out is the flexibility in how students get there: a standard four-year plan pairs health and physical education with education and university coursework, while a three-year plan serves transfers and a five-year track leads toward pre-physical therapy. That range makes room for students arriving with different goals and backgrounds. Among CMU's offerings, this major comes closest to preparing a dedicated health teacher. Earning a bachelor's degree in health teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Michigan's secondary school teachers.

Emporia State University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Health and Physical Education is built for candidates who want to teach both subjects, preparing graduates for combined licensure from kindergarten through high school. Because the two fields are woven together in a single track, students leave ready to lead a gym class and a health lesson alike. The program is notably hands-on, putting candidates in front of school-aged children and youth beginning as early as the freshman year, so teaching skills develop through practice rather than theory alone. Coursework is delivered on campus through the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department. Backing the preparation, Emporia State's Teachers College holds CAEP accreditation across a seven-year period for its educator programs. The combination of dual-subject licensure and early, sustained classroom time gives future teachers a broad and practical foundation. This bachelor's-level health teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Kansas.

Maryville College offers a Physical Education/Health with Teacher Licensure program, a Bachelor of Arts in the Division of Education that leads to combined K-12 licensure. Students take coursework in their teaching area alongside professional education courses and field-based experiences that build toward a semester-long student teaching placement. Project-based learning is designed in partnership with local school administrators and teachers. The program is taught on campus and prepares graduates to teach physical education and health across grade levels. Graduates of this health teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

Utah Valley University's School Health Education, B.S. prepares candidates to teach health in grades 7 through 12 and is administered by Health Sciences in the College of Health and Public Service. The curriculum aligns with the Utah Secondary Health Education Core Curriculum and emphasizes developmentally appropriate teaching methods. Candidates apply to the Secondary Education Program and complete a secondary student teaching experience. The program is offered in both traditional and online plans. This bachelor's-level health teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Utah.