Master of Physical Education programme, also known as the M.P.Ed course, is a biennial postgraduate degree designed for candidates interested in pursuing higher education in physical education. Several institutions across India cater the postgraduate course. Master in Physical Education programme educates candidates in health education, sports, physiology, sports psychology and other important subjects. Additionally, Masters in Physical Education aims to acquaint aspirants with various tools and techniques associated with grounds & field measurement and player performance evaluation. The postgraduate course assists candidates in developing a better understanding of the relation between various physical activities and their effect on the distinct builds of a human body. M.P.Ed course deals in acquainting candidates with all the tools and techniques required for devising specialised training regimes.
The primary aim of the Master of Physical Education programme is to produce pertinent physical education graduates that can assist in improving health and fitness of individuals as well as groups. The role of the efficient physical educators has increased in the modern times because of the immense growth in workaholic lifestyles, which often lead to poor physical fitness and vulnerability to diseases and infuriating medical conditions. Physical educators act as problem solvers in various niches, such as track & field, athletics, sports, fitness, health and lifestyle, by developing proper means of attaining and maintaining a good physical fitness standard.
Though teaching and tutoring are the most rewarding and enjoyable career options for M.P.Ed course graduates, they can choose several other career avenues both in private and government sector.
Passion for sports and fitness activities is necessary for aspirants interested in pursuing Masters in Physical Education. In order to overcome various psychological and physiological hurdles encountered during the 2-year M.P.Ed course successfully, candidates are required to support and maintain the desired level of physical fitness through the duration of the programme.
All vital skills required for candidates interested in pursuing the M.P.Ed course are summed up as follows:
A great deal of interest in various sports and physical fitness activities
Ability to form productive training regimes
Active and physically fit
Capable of analysing physical activities
Cool composure
Detailed knowledge about nutrition
Judgement power
Patience
Sportsman spirit
After successfully completing the Master of Physical Education programme, candidates can decide to either pursue higher education in Physical Education, i.e. M.Phil or Ph.D, or put their skills to use. M.P.Ed course graduates can choose from several career paths, varying from tutors and assistant professors to corporate fitness directors and personal trainers. Some of the best career options for Master of Physical Education postgraduates are briefed up as follows:
Activities directors, also known as recreational therapists, help sick or disabled people with different recreational activities. People suffering from depression, impaired motor skills and stress are the most common employers of activities directors. Activities arranged by these people include arts and crafts, indoor games, field trips and outdoor games. In some rare cases, activities directors might work in line with other social service and health professionals to assess the improvements required.
Candidates successfully completing M.P.Ed course have the opportunity to work as athletic coaches. Athletic coaches are responsible for working rigorously with athletes to teach and improve the fundamentals of the specific sport. Coaches can work on single players as well as take complete charge of the training of an entire sports team. In some scenarios, they are also responsible for recruiting new players for teams. Trainees under coaches can vary from amateurs to professionals. The remuneration of an athletic coach is depended on the standard of the player(s) they are working with and their roles.
Cardiovascular fitness instructors are fitness instructors with the work emphasis on cardiovascular workouts and training sessions. Nonetheless, they can design and arrange other types of physical training activities like strength training for their clients. As a cardiovascular fitness instructor, one needs to be adept at working with people from distinct age groups and with distinct skill levels. In some scenarios, they have to work in line with fitness managers and trainers to achieve the fitness goals.
After completing an M.P.Ed course, candidates have the opportunity to work as community instructors or commercial instructors. While both job profiles share the same responsibilities, the two differ in terms of the targeted people. Commercial instructors work with Case Management or Employment Services Coordinator staff to keep track of the funding available and/or invested for implementation of the daily activity plans as assigned by the management. Daily documentation is to be provided by commercial instructors.
Corporate Fitness Instructor
Another lucrative career option for Physical Education postgraduates is to provide their services as corporate fitness instructors. The need of corporate fitness instructors has significantly increased, as the industry has realised the importance of physical fitness in relation to work and productivity. Thus, corporate fitness instructors are employed by organisations to improve and maintain the health and fitness of employees. They are also responsible for cutting health care costs of the organisation.
In charge of assisting people with maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, nutrition specialists are also responsible for coming up with nutritional programmes for delimiting diseases and promoting health. Nutrition specialists can provide their services in several ways. They have the option to work in hospitals, nursing homes, old age homes and other institutions as well as provide their services on a freelance self-employed basis. The remuneration received by nutrition specialists depend on their expertise and ability to come up with desired results.
A personal trainer works with a single or limited set of clients. Personal trainers are responsible for helping clients in attaining and maintaining a specific level of physical fitness and well-being. In addition to possessing a wide knowledge about various fitness activities, yoga asanas, postures and positions, personal trainers help in setting goals and training sessions to fulfil client fitness requirements. They need to carefully study the various advantages and issues related to physical activities of their clients and then design a training routine based on available information. Additionally, personal trainers educate clients with other aspects of well-being, namely diet and general health.
Master of Physical Education aspirants are the perfect candidates for assuming the role of physical education professor. In addition to educating students about the importance and need of physical wellness and fitness, physical education professors are also responsible for helping out students in keeping and maintaining a good physical fitness level. Physical education professors also administer and oversee various physical activities organised by the educational institutions they are employed at. Besides helping out students, their assistance is sought by fellow professors and non-teaching staff to improve their physical fitness standards as well.
Rehabilitation specialists or physical therapists are responsible for guiding people undergoing rehabilitation by means of physical fitness activities. They are responsible for designing physical training regimes for those in rehabilitation and monitoring the progress made by each inmate. In order to achieve a complete rehabilitation process, rehabilitation specialists work in line with psychosocial rehabilitation specialists. The latter makes use of psychosocial and psychiatric rehabilitation techniques to work with the psychological aspects of people under rehabilitation.
M.P.Ed course postgraduates are apt to work in different scenarios and providing physical fitness knowledge and expertise to different people and groups. In addition to going for the top career options available for masters of physical education aspirants, they can choose to work as professionals, such as layout and physical synthesis experts, lead consultants (Physical Security Practice), physical education tutors, scientific assistants (Physical Education), research associates and physical education teachers.
M.P.Ed course aspirants are required to have successfully completed a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education before applying for the same. Some educational institutions also accept applications from candidates with a completed Bachelor’s degree in Physical Science. In addition, candidates are obligated to have participated in any of the Inter-University sports/athletics events at least once during the entire duration of the undergraduate course.
The full eligibility criteria required by M.P.Ed course is as follows:
Completed a Bachelor’s of Physical Education from a recognised college or university with at least 55% marks in aggregate or an equivalent CGPA
Or
Completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education from a recognised college or university with at least 55% marks in aggregate or an equivalent CGPA
Participated in any All India Inter-University or Inter-University Zonal tournament recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
Must have a grade certificate issued by the sports department of the concerned state based on the position the candidate has participated in the sports event
Master of Physical Education course facilitates psychomotor learning in a playful and physically active environment. The aim of the programme is to educate aspirants in all the required tools and techniques that are vital to understand and prepare efficient fitness activities and regimes. The course educates candidates in all the essential methodologies that are necessary for understanding the effect of various physical activities on the human body as well as the human psychology. In contrast to an undergraduate degree in Physical Education, a.k.a. B.P. Ed or B.P.Ed, M.P.Ed course deeply explores the importance, role and effects of yoga, sports, aerobics, and other physical fitness activities.