Why should I study DAPE?

As an ambassador for health and wellness, you’ll promote benefits of wellness and physical activity, including better motor skills and fitness, nutrition, character development, teamwork, and enjoyment of leisure time. Students with disabilities need to experience the same benefits of physical activity as their peers do.

Also Available for Current Teachers

This licensure program is also open to graduates already teaching physical education, as courses are offered online or one night per week.

• For admission and tuition questions, contact the Office of Admissions at undergrad-admissions@bethel.edu.
• For program questions, contact Professor Steve Henkel at s-henkel@bethel.edu.

What can I do with this degree?

You’ll be equipped to meet all licensure standards determined by the Minnesota Board of Teaching and by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Our graduates currently work as:

• Teachers and/or coaches in public and private school across the U.S., including at the college level
• Teachers or directors of recreational activity programs like: YMCA, camps, community recreation programs
• Current teachers across Minnesota school districts including: Anoka-Hennepin, Brooklyn Center, Hastings, Upsala, Spring Lake Park, St. Louis Park, Stillwater, and Zimmerman
• Consultants exclusively working with special education students

What skills will I develop?

• Critical thinking
• Effective collaboration and communication with others
• Mechanics of human physiology and movement
• Methods of teaching, including ways to accommodate for a variety of disabilities
• Understanding cognitive and physical development
• Coaching teams in learning the sport and in competitive play
• Integration of Christian faith with scientific and ethical study
• Classroom management
• Addressing and promoting the health of the whole person

You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in the R.E.A.L. Experience—a program specifically designed to help you gain the relevant, hands-on experience employers desire—so that when you graduate, you’ll be as impressive in practice as you are on paper.

What unique experiences or opportunities will I have?

DAPE candidates participate in significant opportunities to work with individuals with disabilities by completing practicums in multiple settings, including: public schools, Special Olympics, and St. Paul Adapted Recreation.

Join the Bethel HPE Club

This club will connect you with other Health & Physical Education majors and provide professional enrichment and offer opportunities to serve in the community. 

Bethel did a great job of preparing me for my future teaching career! The professors truly cared about me and supported and encouraged me through out the whole program. After college they helped me get my first job!

Rachel Bekius '13
High school Health/P.E./DAPE teacher at Milaca

The road to my career in education and coaching was paved at Bethel. Bethel provided me with professional educators and coaches who had a passion for their work and a commitment to modeling their faith.

Peter Haugen '91
Current job: Head Football Coach, Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)

Professors showed me that following God’s plan will look different for each of us...they helped me discover my talents and abilities, and equipped me with the skills necessary to succeed in all areas of my life.

Kailey Eid '16
Health and Physical Education Teacher at UBAH Medical Academy