Health and Physical Education Major - Bachelor of Sport and Recreation
Health and physical education is vital in helping young people develop the confidence and skills to be connected and active members of society. This major prepares you for this rewarding career.
The Health and Physical Education major is unique, integrating hauora, health promotion and the socio-ecological aspects that support health and physical education in New Zealand schools. You explore how people learn and how to support learning in health-related and movement-based subjects.
Our graduates can go on to complete a graduate diploma in teaching and join the teaching profession well-equipped to contribute to 21st century learning environments.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation.
Download programme guides
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
- SPOR504 Leadership in Sport and the Outdoors
- SPOR511 Skill Learning in Sport and Recreation
- SPSC501 Sport and Exercise Science Fundamentals
Semester 2 courses
- SPOR501 Sport and Recreation in Aotearoa/New Zealand
- SPOR502 Innovative Planning in Sport and Recreation
- SPOR503 Contemporary Issues in Sport and Recreation
- HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Year 2
- SPOR610 Law and Ethics in Sport and Recreation
- SPOR624 Group and Individual Behaviour
- SPOR608 Evidence Based Practice
- SPOR609 Teaching, Leading and Coaching
- SPOR601 Health and Physical Education Principles and Practices
- SPOR606 Sport, Health and Wellbeing
- SPOR612 Skill Acquisition and Sport Psychology
- SPSC604 Applied Sports Biomechanics I
This year also includes two work placements of 30-40 hours, designed to introduce you to the workplace and help you identify where you want to complete your third-year workplace experience.
Year 3
Courses you study this year
- SPOR709 Sport and Recreation Co-operative I
- SPOR710 Sport and Recreation Co-operative II
- SPOR707 Pedagogy and Performance
- SPOR706 Health and Physical Education Philosophy and Pedagogy
Plus two optional/elective courses.
Workplace experience
In your third year you complete 350 to 400 hours in an organisation, which includes working on a project related to your major through the Cooperative Education courses. This takes approximately two days per week. Students in this major normally complete their workplace experience in a school setting.
Recent placements covered a wide range of schools, including:
- Whangaparaoa College
- Gladstone Primary School
- Alfriston College
- Wentworth College
- Health and physical education teacher*
- Coach with local, regional or national sports organisations
- Health promotion educator
- Kiwi Sport/Active Schools co-ordinator
- Physical activity co-ordinator
- School sports co-ordinator
*After completing the one-year Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other majors in the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation
- Coaching
- Health and Physical Education
- Management
- Outdoor Education
- Sport and Exercise Science
- Standard pathway
Postgraduate study
- Progressive approach to health and wellbeing
- Foundation for a career in health and physical education
- Hands-on experience through workplace experience
- A strong leader and good communicator
- A role model for an active lifestyle
- Organised, a good planner and time manager
- Able to motivate, lead and inspire young people
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.