Student working with children in a phys ed class

The University of Maine at Farmington, partnering with the University of Maine at Presque Isle, offers a Bachelor’s degree program, School Health Education – Physical Education concentration. It combines UMF’s improved School Health Education programming with a specialized concentration in Physical Education from the University of Maine at Presque Isle.


The Health Education and other core curriculum coursework take place on the Farmington campus while the Physical Education concentration component are taught online through Presque Isle.


What can I do with a degree in School Health Ed – Physical Education?


Data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources. Median Salaries for positions in Maine typically fall below those of other New England states.

Develop resume-enhancing, real world experience and skills

And like all UMF Education programs, you’ll also get real world, hands-on experience teaching youngsters. In your sophomore year you’ll take a required teaching practicum and in your senior year student, a semester-long student teaching assignment.

Both provide you with practical, resume-enhancing field experiences, placing you in school classrooms — the kinds of experience employers are looking for.

This program also provides the coursework in Physical Education that meets the requirements for State of Maine Physical Education Certification. Phys Ed methods courses are offered remotely (online) by the University of Maine at Presque Isle. UMF graduates of this program could become certified in Physical Education if they pass the appropriate Praxis exams and after one year of teaching Phys Ed. (Graduates of the program would apply for this certification through the Maine Department of Education.)

Meet a growing demand in today’s education workforce

According to recent workforce data from all school districts across Maine, there will be approximately 50 physical education openings in the next five years alone.

The needs of rural schools in Maine and elsewhere have changed over the years and teachers prepared to teach school health are frequently required to teach physical education as well.

Of those who completed UMF’s School Health Education program, 86% have taught or are currently teaching, Health Education. But interestingly, 74% of those currently teaching Health Education are also teaching Physical Education. The dual need is there.

UMF graduates told us they’ve had to enroll in Physical Education coursework from other institutions in order to meet the additional state licensure requirements for Physical Education teachers.

This UMF / UMPI collaboration allows you to enroll at Farmington, take most of your classes at Farmington and earn a Farmington degree, while you also take the specialized Phys Ed Methods coursework online through UMPI. You never have to leave the Farmington campus.

What kinds of concepts and skills you learn?

You’ll learn age appropriate concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention and physical education

  • How to access valid health information, services and products to enhance health
  • How family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors affect health
  • The use of interpersonal communication and advocacy skills to enhance personal, family and community health
  • Decision-making and goal-setting to enhance health
  • Health-enhancing behaviors to avoid or reduce health risks
  • Fitness concepts
  • The fundamentals of specialized movement skills
  • Responsible personal behavior and responsible social behavior in physical activity settings

Farmington Education grads get hired.

According to a 2020 survey of UMF Education graduates over the past three years, 83% of respondents indicated being employed in the field of education, with 85% hired within a year of graduation and 73% employed within four months of graduation.

Overall, 94.3% of respondents indicated they were Very Satisfied or Satisfied with their teacher education preparation at UMF.

This program will prepare you to be eligible for licensure in the State of Maine. Visit the UMaine System State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, in addition to the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program.


Save nearly $6,000 per year in tuition. This University of Maine at Farmington program qualifies for the New England Regional Program tuition discount.

This price break is for residents of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont for the 2023-2024 academic year — a savings of $5,880 per year.

See More About the New England Regional Program Tuition Discount Got questions? Ask a professor in this program

Contact Us

Office of Admissions
University of Maine at Farmington
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
tel  207-778-7050
fax  207-778-8182
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
umfadmit@maine.edu