Kamora Shelton
McKay Student Ambassador
Physical Education
Deciding to major in physical education was one of the best choice I've made in college so far! Whether you are considering majoring in PE or just curious of what the major is like, here are a few things I wish I knew before I started:
What is practicum and what is it like?
Practicum is spending time in a classroom observing a teacher or teaching a part of the lessons. In the PETE program, we have three semesters of practicum. The first semester you will plan and teach a couple of lessons in an elementary school. During the second semester you will teach a few lessons in a junior high and lastly, in the third semester, you will teach in the high school. This may seem intimidating, but don't worry! The professors do a great job at preparing us for the first day of teaching!
What coaching experience will I get?
Within the PETE Major, you also get experience coaching. You will take a couple classes on how to coach youth sports, high school sports and intercollegiate sports. You will then take an internship class where you get to actually coach a high school sport! You get to chose the sport, so start thinking now which sport you want to coach.
Student teaching or an internship?
BYU offers the choice of either student teaching or interning at the end of your major. Picking between the two of these options can be stressful but hopefully some definitions will help!
What is Interning? An internship is a full school year (August - May), paid experience, where you are the only teacher in the classroom. You will plan, prepare, and teach every day. Interns apply and interview with a district, where they are then placed in a school and grade level. Some districts allow you to list your preferred grade level.
What is Student Teaching? Student teaching is a semester, unpaid (except for a $6,000 stipend from the Utah state government that started in fall 2024, funding is not guaranteed and is subject to legislative approval each year to provide funding) teaching experience where you spend time shadowing a mentor teacher and plan, prepare, and teach every day for a few weeks. Student teachers apply and list their preferences for district and grade level, and then are placed accordingly. The McKay school also hosts semester long student teaching programs in Washington D.C. and Houston for all students who are interested!
Student teaching and interning are both incredible options and there is no "one size fits all" answer! Find out which one fits you best here!
What is the environment like?
The PETE professors have been working hard on BYU's mission of belonging and it shows! They are so caring and make class a joy to be in. Their genuine care and dedication make every class a joy to attend. Learning becomes so much more meaningful when you know there are people who care about you and your success. My cohort feels like a second family, and I look forward to every class just to see them. If you’re looking for smaller, tight-knit classes with personalized learning and a supportive community, the PETE major is the perfect fit!
For anyone considering a career in education, I encourage you to try it! If you have any questions about majoring in education click here to schedule an appointment with a student ambassador!
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