Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
EXPLORE THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION MAJOR
The Bachelor of Science in K-12 Physical Education prepares students to teach in public or private schools. Course work leads to elementary, secondary and K-12 physical education licensure and health education licensure in Colorado.
CAREER MILESTONES
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain and grow within a job.
Essential skills built through majoring in K-12 Physical Education include:
- Critical thinking
- Connections/collaboration
- Leadership and planning
Click here to learn more about each essential skill.
Students graduating with a major in K-12 Physical Education find themselves most often in the following professional fields:
- Elementary, middle and high school teaching
- Health education/outdoor education
- Physical fitness training
Explore career opportunities by major.
Students who choose to pursue a graduate degree often consider these pathways:
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Leadership
- Physical Education Pedagogy
MAJOR MILESTONES EXPLAINED
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
What are Major Milestones?
Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and last year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.
Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.
How to Use the Major Milestones Tool
To use this tool to the fullest, follow these steps
- Scroll to your current year in school.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
Explore Your First Year at MSU Denver
ARRIVE - Your First Year at MSU Denver
- Attend orientation and register for classes.
- Meet with your Academic Advisor.
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Meet with your faculty advisor
- Find your degree progress report and review the 4-year plans
- Collaborate with peers
- Explore Student Organizations and Affinity groups in the School of Education
- Check out SOE scholarships
- Attend the Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) and/or School of Education Welcome and/or Orientations
- Develop a plan with your academic advisor to take the required licensure exams
- Review School of Education professional dispositions
- Join and network in local (PETE Club), state and national associations
Explore Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
THRIVE - Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
- Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Attend a state or national conference
- Engage with k-12 mentor teachers and schools
- Volunteer
- Focus on connect training to high-leverage practices
- Engage in culturally relevant practices Trauma-Informed Practices (TIP), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) workshops throughout the program
- Develop deeper relationships with k-12 mentor teachers and schools that lead to student teaching
- Revisit plan for taking the required licensure exam(s)
- Attend PETE and Student Teaching event(s) for career preparation
- Reflect on diversity of experiences that will best prepare you for the field
Explore Your Final Year at MSU Denver
SOAR - Your Final Year at MSU Denver
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- Immersion in student teaching and relevant seminar support process within the PETE community
- Meet with an academic advisor to review 4-year program plan
- Navigate support systems for program culmination
- Consider joining an additional professional organization in the field of education
- Attend professional development opportunities offered by PETE, Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships (OCEP) and partnering schools/districts
- Consider attending a state conference
- Attend licensure exam workshops and take required licensure exam(s)
- Create professional documentation and plan for career immersion
- Attend PETE Networking event
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career (C2) Hub and utilize their resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early and often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine your need for a Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Contact the School of Education
Connect with Us
Phone: (303) 615-1777
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location:
West Classroom Building (WC)
Suite 136 (Dean’s Office)
Suite 162 (Student Services)