Best Doctorate in Physical Education Teaching and Coaching Programs in 2026

The University of New Mexico offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physical Education, Sports and Exercise Science, with a Curriculum and Instruction concentration built to prepare physical education teacher educators. A master's degree in Physical Education Teacher Education, Kinesiology, or a related field is a prerequisite, and doctoral students teach undergraduate courses and supervise field experiences under faculty mentorship as direct preparation for PETE faculty roles. The concentration sits alongside Sport Administration and Exercise Science options within the department. On licensure, the program states only that it has determined the degree meets professional licensure requirements in New Mexico and has not made that determination for any other state, a disclosure that reflects its research and teaching focus rather than a broad certification pathway. This is a doctorate for those aiming at faculty careers in physical education teacher education. Graduates of this physical education teaching and coaching program at the doctoral level often go on to work as education teachers.

Louisiana State University offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Kinesiology through its School of Kinesiology, a research doctorate with four concentrations spanning Exercise Physiology, Motor Behavior, Sport Management, and Social & Behavioral Sciences. The Social & Behavioral Sciences concentration is the education-facing path, investigating teacher and learner cognition, emotion, and motivation within physical activity and pedagogy, which suits students curious about how people learn and teach movement. The orientation is scholarly rather than practical, preparing graduates for faculty and research roles instead of K-12 licensure. Students work closely with faculty in their chosen domain as they move toward original research and a dissertation. It reads as a fit for those who want to study the behavioral and pedagogical science of physical activity in depth. The program pages do not present the degree as leading to licensure. Earning a doctoral degree in physical education teaching and coaching is a common route toward becoming one of Louisiana's education teachers.

Springfield College offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physical Education, a research doctorate whose Physical Education Teacher Education track prepares future faculty who will train the next generation of PE teachers. The program describes itself as one of roughly 25 of its kind nationally and the only one housed at a small-to-medium-sized college, which shapes its close, mentored character: doctoral students work alongside the college's undergraduate and master's PE programs and take part in a Preparing Future Faculty series. Students choose among Physical Education Teacher Education, Athletic Administration, and General Studies tracks, paired with a cognate such as adapted physical education or psychosocial aspects of the field. The PhD itself is not a licensure program, though a separate 12-credit professional licensure option exists for applicants who already hold initial physical education licensure. This is a doctorate for aspiring teacher educators and researchers rather than for classroom certification. As a doctoral degree in physical education teaching and coaching, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as education teachers in Massachusetts.

The University of Kansas offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Health, Sport Management, and Exercise Science, with a Health Education concentration aimed at those drawn to public health pedagogy and research. Sitting alongside Exercise Physiology and Sport Management concentrations, the Health Education path prepares graduates for faculty, instructor, and research positions rather than for K-12 physical education licensure. The program signals its scholarly orientation in how it assesses candidates, offering an alternative comprehensive exam that asks for a publishable research manuscript together with a dissertation-length literature review and oral defense. Students complete a minimum of 18 dissertation hours, and admission itself includes a required faculty interview that pairs applicants with mentors early. This is a research doctorate for people building careers in the academy and in health education scholarship. The program page does not present the degree as leading to licensure. A doctoral-level path in physical education teaching and coaching, it builds toward a career among education teachers in Kansas.

Wayne State University offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Kinesiology through its College of Education, a research doctorate whose Health and Physical Education Teaching concentration sits alongside Community Health and Exercise and Sport Science options. Requiring 78 credits beyond the bachelor's degree, including 15 in research methods and 18 for the dissertation, the program is a substantial scholarly commitment offered on a full-time or part-time basis. What signals its research and professoriate orientation most clearly is funding, since students can hold teaching and research assistantships and receive individualized faculty mentoring as they develop as scholars. The degree admits students who already hold prior degrees from nationally accredited institutions. It fits those preparing for faculty and research careers in health and physical education rather than for K-12 licensure. The program page does not address licensure. This doctoral-level physical education teaching and coaching program prepares graduates for work as education teachers in Michigan.

The University of South Carolina offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physical Education through its College of Education, a research doctorate concentrated in physical education pedagogy and motor behavior. Rather than a classroom credential, it prepares educators and researchers for higher education, and doctoral students take a direct role in training pre-service teachers, including supervising teacher candidates. The scholarly core shows in 15 hours of quantitative and qualitative research methods coursework and a 12-hour dissertation capstone. Students can further specialize in areas such as adapted physical education, educational sport psychology, public health, or special education. It suits those who want to research how physical education is taught while mentoring future teachers. The program page does not present the degree as leading to K-12 licensure. A doctoral-level path in physical education teaching and coaching, it builds toward a career among education teachers in South Carolina.