Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership MAT
- Master's Degree
- Hybrid
- Greeley Campus
- Online
20 Months
Fall Term (Aug.)
$668/Credit
Mostly Online Master’s Degree for Physical Education Leadership
Ready to lead consistent and meaningful physical education in your school? Our online Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership Master of Arts (MAT) degree is for you.
This program was one of the first in the country to prepare teachers to become physical activity leaders in schools. It is designed for working teachers, and you can use what you learn right away.
What Does Mostly Online Mean?
This is a hybrid program, which means there is an in-person element.
- You’ll take classes online for most of the year.
- You will also visit our campus in Greeley, Colorado, for two weeks in the summer to gain hands-on experience.
What You’ll Learn
Schools today are looking for new ways to get students active. You will learn how to lead a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP). This will prepare you to:
- Improve your physical education program.
- Promote physical activity throughout the school.
- Implement and innovate physical activity programs within and across schools.
- Teach nutrition, health and wellness.
- Get staff, families and the community involved.
We know active kids do better … in school and in life, every day.
Your Career in Physical Education Leadership
Prepared to Lead K-12 Physical Activity
This degree will help your career right away by preparing you for a in-demand job as a leader of physical activity. Become a CSPAP and join the growing Active Schools initiative.
This degree does not lead to a K-12 teaching license, but it is a great option for those who already have a license or who teach in classrooms that do not require licensure.
Part of the UNC Active Schools Institute
The UNC Active Schools Institute conducts community engagement, research and scholarship activity to promote school physical activity. Master’s students are a central part of our efforts to impact students’ health and well-being.
Course of Study
Online + 1 Summer Greeley Visit
This Master of Arts in Teaching program is designed for working educators. You can complete your master’s degree in less than two years (five academic terms).
- Fall and Spring semesters: courses are delivered completely online.
- One Summer term: you will visit us for a two-week experience on our Greeley, Colorado, campus. That summer you will meet your instructors and fellow students in a workshop environment. You will also complete online work before and after your on-campus experience.
To see specific course offerings, visit an example current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
This is a 30-credit master’s degree program.
Transfer Credit
If you have taken graduate courses that align with program courses, you can request transfer credit. Approved transfer credit can reduce the cost of completing this program. Program faculty will review your transfer credit to confirm that it matches course content and objectives. See the full graduate transfer credit policy for details.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Jori Moore
Enrollment Counselor
Brian Dauenhauer
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Federal Financial Aid
Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Master’s degree students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full-time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.
You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).
- Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
- If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
- Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.
You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
International Student Eligibility
No student visa: F-1 and J-1 student visas are not available for this program. However, if you are a non-U.S. citizen who will be in the U.S. under another visa category, you may be able to enroll in this program. Before you apply, please check for enrollment or employment restrictions for your visa category.
If you do apply to this program, you will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Department
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Application Deadline
The recommended application deadline is July 15. Additional students can be admitted after that date if space is available. Please contact the Program Coordinator if you are applying after the deadline.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership (M.A.T.)
- Start term: Fall Term (Aug.)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status