Physical Education

EMU’s faith-based physical education and recreation department promotes a healthful, activity-oriented lifestyle, and develops competent professionals who carry a sense of ministry and service into whatever vocational role they choose.

The department offers courses for the general student population in addition to major and minor programs.

Experience that builds on your faith

The major in Outdoor Ministry and Adventure Leadership develops leaders who help people to grow personally and spiritually using the outdoors as a context, and experiential and adventure activities as the means. Students in this major learn leadership skills like guiding challenge courses, back-country daytrips, and expeditions, in a variety of outdoor settings.

Not just for P.E. teachers!

Career opportunities in physical education and recreation include:

• camp director
• recreation/camp program director
• outdoor or environmental education specialist
• adventure trip director
• commercial adventure guide
• youth pastor
• Christian educator
• community recreation agency programmer
• elementary or secondary physical education teacher
• athletic coach
• adult fitness or sports club management
• sports information director

What kind of classes will you take?

Some classes in the major emphasize theoretical/academic content (foundations of Christian camping, recreation programming design, introduction to youth ministry, developmental psychology.) Others provide hands-on outdoor activity skills (technical rock climbing, canoeing, cave exploration, backcountry travel, experiential education and adventure leadership, team-building and challenge course leadership.

Several courses offer professional credentialing within the course (PCIA climbing wall instructor, wilderness first aid, NCRC cave rescue, Leave No Trace trainer, Red Cross lifeguarding.)

The wilderness seminar is a three-week leadership immersion in the backcountry, including climbing, backpacking, caving, canoeing, outdoor navigation, and a three-day solo. Students also participate in a cross-cultural study to develop global awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures.

Where will you be learning?

EMU offers fully equipped labs and classrooms, an environmental study area, and an indoor climbing wall. Nearby, students learn on the rivers, mountains, trails, and caves of George Washington National Forest, Shenandoah National Park, and Monongahela National Forest (all within 30 minutes of campus.) Also, five local camps provide EMU with field trip opportunities and frequent interactions with Christian camping professionals.

See sports, fitness and recreation at EMU for information on recreation on and off campus.