This article outlines a brief review of literature of occupational socialization theory. Specific to physical educators, occupational socialization theory examines the ways individuals are recruited into, prepared for, and socialized in the profession. It represents a dialectical perspective on socialization, acknowledging that educators are shaped by the institutions that seek to socialize them, but that they can resist the influence of this socialization. This article also discusses the key issues affecting physical education teacher education (PETE) doctoral programs and the means by which PETE doctoral students are socialized into the role of university educators.