Master in Physical Education Teaching

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Master of Arts in Physical Education Teaching

It is specific training for primary school teachers and prepares them to take on the role of physical education teacher in secondary school (middle school).

SUPSI Course Overview

Overview

  • Degree awarded

    Master of Arts SUPSI in Insegnamento per il livello secondario I disciplina educazione fisica

  • Credits

    120 ECTS

  • Study modes

    Part-time (PT), from 3 years

  • Applications *

  • Start date

    September 2026

  • Language

    Italian

  • Semester fee

    From CHF 800.-

  • Location

    Locarno, stabile A

*For further details see the "Admission and application" section

For the academic year 2026/2027, there are no plans to activate the course.

Teachers working at secondary level I work with pupils aged between 11 and 15. This phase of life is a central moment in the development of the individual, who is confronted with the definition of his or her identity and important choices for his or her educational and professional future. 

To best support this course, the teacher must possess a solid disciplinary, didactic and pedagogical background as well as excellent interpersonal and listening skills.

The teacher's tasks include
  • the planning and implementation of lessons, teaching and assessment activities to foster the learning of all pupils;
  • the care of communication and collaboration with pupils, colleagues and families;
  • the development of transversal skills;
  • the development of reflective practice, an attitude and attention to research throughout the career;
  • attention to the dimensions of reception, inclusion and school and social accessibility;
  • the care of the ethical and deontological dimension relating to sociological aspects in the profession;
  • the teaching of motor skills.

The skills and knowledge related to the profession are contained in the "Skills Profile" document in the "Study Plan" chapter.

Professional perspectives 
The qualification permits the exercise of the profession of physical education teacher in secondary schools (secondary level I) in the Canton of Ticino. An application for recognition of the qualification must be submitted to the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK).
 
Study perspectives
Teachers who are active in the territory can access the Continuing Education offer proposed by the Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education or specialise by attending other university Master's programmes or doctoral programmes.

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During the three years of the Master in Physical Education Teaching, teaching-learning takes place as follows
  • theoretical and applied lectures
  • workshops in small groups 
  • professional practice at a Ticino educational institution;
  • block weeks;
  • autonomous training work.

The training is structured around the following axes: 
-    Disciplinary training in physical education;
-    professional practice in the classroom;
-    the sciences of education; 
-    the didactics of physical education; 
-    scientific research in physical education;
-    the Master's thesis.

Teaching is structured in modules. Various modes of certification are provided.
  • 1st year (42 ECTS)

    Anatomical and physiological bases of movement and training (5 ECTS)
    Athletics (3 ECTS)
    Disciplinary didactics (10 ECTS)
    Equipment Gymnastics 1 (3 ECTS)
    Fundamentals of Movement (3 ECTS)
    Health Promotion (3 ECTS)
    Motricity and play 1 (3 ECTS)
    Play and drama in education (3 ECTS)
    Skating (3 ECTS)
    Sports Games 1 (3 ECTS)
    Winter Sports Week (3 ECTS)

  • 2nd year (39 ECTS)

    Educational Science 2 (8 ECTS)
    Equipment Gymnastics 2 (3 ECTS)
    Motor skills and play 2 (3 ECTS)
    Music, rhythm and movement (3 ECTS)
    Professional practice 1 (10 ECTS)
    Research Seminar in Physical Education (3 ECTS)
    Sports Games 2 (3 ECTS)
    Summer Multisports Week (3 ECTS)
    Water Sports 1 (3 ECTS)

  • 3rd year (39 ECTS)

    Gliding sports (skiing or snowboarding) (3 ECTS)
    Inclusion in Sport (3 ECTS)
    Master's thesis (12 ECTS)
    Sports Games 4 (3 ECTS)
    Professional Practice 2 (12 ECTS)
    Sport Games 3 (3 ECTS)
    Water sports 2 (3 ECTS)

One ECTS (European Credit Transfert System) credit corresponds to 25-30 hours of student work (classroom hours, individual study and certification hours).

The Master in Physical Education Teaching is offered on a part-time (PT) basis, compatible with a half-time teaching commitment in the municipal school.

The training enables the student to acquire, as a rule, 120 ECTS credits over three years (six semesters). 

A minimum attendance of 80% is required for most modules.

Course FB Modules List

SUPSI Course Responsibles

Magda Ramadan

Docente-ricercatrice Senior / Responsabile della Formazione base e di Master / Membro di Direzione - Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education

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The Master in Physical Education Teaching for Secondary Education Level I is intended exclusively for primary school teachers.

For the academic year 2026/2027, there are no plans to activate the course.
Study title
Bachelor's degree in Primary Education (school years: 3-7) or a teaching qualification in primary education (school years: 3-7) (obtained at post-high school level),  recognised by the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK).

Knowledge of the Italian language
For candidates whose mother tongue is not Italian, a proficiency in Italian corresponding to level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required. 

More detailed information on the requirements for admission to the course can be found in the document "Application Guidelines Master in Physical Education Teaching".

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The admission procedure involves ranking examinations and, where required, additional examinations.

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The application for admission can only be submitted online by accessing the Student Portal.

Candidates who meet the admission requirements verified on the basis of the documents provided are admitted to the admission procedure.

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Final registration is required by the deadline.

Final registration is only confirmed when the candidate has:
completed and returned the required documents;
paid the six-monthly fee.

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Application fee
A fee of CHF 200 must be paid online at the same time as the application. 
The fee is neither refundable nor deductible from the six-monthly fee.
Semester fee
The semester fee is CHF 1600, respectively CHF 800 for students benefiting from the application of the Intercantonal Agreement on Universities of Applied Sciences ASUP (Swiss nationality or civil and fiscal domicile in Switzerland or Liechtenstein). Specific agreements apply for students resident in Campione d'Italia.
Contribution for teaching
A flat fee of CHF 80 per semester is also required as a contribution to teaching costs.
Scholarship
Various public and private institutions offer support to students in need. More information.

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Frequently asked questions

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Open days/evenings are held between January and March each year, during which, for example, the content of the course, professional outlets and the admission procedure are presented. It is also possible to visit the campus and meet directly with students and lecturers.

You can take a semester an maximum one year at another university in Switzerland or abroad through related agreements. Find more information and reference contacts on the dedicated page.

They are a contribution to the costs of teaching (school materials, charges for visits, general administrative and secretarial costs, teaching and IT support, etc.).

Following the Bologna Reform, study courses have been structured into modules and each module is allocated a number of study credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One ECTS credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 to 30 hours. 60 credits represent the annual workload in the case of full-time education. A Bachelor's degree requires 180 ECTS and a Master's degree 90 to 120 ECTS.

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Visualizzatore contatto

  • Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education

  • Piazza San Francesco 19
    CH-6600 Locarno

  • Telephone switchboard and InfoDesk

     

    Monday - Thursday: 08:00-09:00 / 10:00-12:15 / 14:00-16:15
    Fridays: 08:00-09:00 / 10:00-12:15

     

    Times may be subject to change.
    Please contact the switchboard for verification.

     

  • T +41 (0)58 666 68 00

    dfa@supsi.ch

    www.dfa.supsi.ch

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