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WVU Morgantown

Physical Education and Kinesiology, B.S.

  • Overview
  • Admissions Requirements
  • Major
  • Areas of Emphasis
  • Accelerated Program
  • Learning Outcomes

Degree Offered

  • Bachelor of Science

Nature of the Program

Physical Education and Kinesiology (PEK) program prepares students to teach, motivate, and shape the lives of Pre-K through adult learners in physical education, movement, wellness, and sport-based environments. The primary goal is to ensure our students understand the importance of and have the pedagogical skills to teach individuals to be physically literate or develop the ability to move with competence and confidence in a variety of different environments. Students can focus on physical education teaching certification where they will teach school physical education to individuals from preK-12th grades or students can focus on sport pedagogy and provide physical activity instruction to individuals across the developmental spectrum in commercial settings (i.e., YMCA, indoor and outdoor recreation centers/camps/resorts, fitness centers, campus recreation centers, aquatic centers, etc.). Students graduating in PEK are well prepared to deliver physical education and physical activity to individuals in school and community settings.

Program graduates are physical activity and wellness leaders in their school, communities, and states who promote healthy, active lifestyles for children and adults alike. The undergraduate PEK program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Admissions for 2025-2026

Admitted first time WVU students are offered direct admission into the Physical Education and Kinesiology major.

Across the first 4 semesters, students must complete a series of tasks to meet Benchmark 1.  Specifically, students must: 

  • Earn a grade of C- or higher in PET 101, PET 124, PET 125, PET 175, PET 244, PET 276; 
  • Achieve an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher;
  • Earn ratings of "Acceptable" or better on the program's professionalism assessment;
  • Satisfy all other requirements related to school access and safety (e.g., background checks, TB testing, minors on campus training).

Students must meet the requirements in Benchmark 2 by October 15th preceding the start of Residency 2 in January.  Students who meet the Benchmark 2 requirements will be in the Physical Education Teaching Licensure Area of Emphasis. Students not meeting the Benchmark 2 requirements will be in the Sport Pedagogy Area of Emphasis. 

Benchmark 2 requirements must be met by October 15th of Residency 1 coursework in order to be eligible for the Physical Education Teaching Licensure Area of Emphasis. Benchmark 2 requirements are:

  • Meet the WVDE Pre-Professional Skills Requirement.
  • Pass the Physical Education (5091) PRAXIS II exam and submit scores.
  • Meet WVDE requirements for the Residency 1 and 2 clinical experience permit.

Students in the Physical Education Teaching Licensure AoE are required to complete, submit, and pass the edTPA assessment to complete their degree and to be recommended to the state of West Virginia for licensure.  To earn the Physical Education Teaching Licensure AoE students must:

  • Earn a grade of C- or higher in all PET courses. 
  • Achieve an overall GPA of a 2.5 or higher.
  • Earn ratings of "Acceptable" or better on the program professionalism assessment across all PET courses.
  • Meet WVDE requirements for Residency 2 clinical experiences permit. 

Accelerated B.S./M.S. Physical Education Teacher Education

Students must complete an internal application for admission to the accelerated B.S./M.S. (ABM) program. Students may apply for regular admission to the ABM in PETE in the fall semester following the completion of 60 credits. Only enrolled WVU PEK majors may be considered for regular admission to the program. Transfer students must complete at least 24 credit hours as degree-seeking students at WVU before applying. The minimum GPA requirement for regular admission is GPA of 3.0, with no provisional admissions allowed. Additional criteria include acceptable performance on the program's Professionalism Assessment used to monitor undergraduate student dispositions each semester. Regular admission will not be offered to students with less than 2 semesters to complete the bachelor’s degree. The ABM in PETE is not available to students seeking a second (or subsequent) bachelor’s degree. Internal application is due by October 1 with program admissions decisions communicated by December 15. Applications will be reviewed by a three member work group (2 PETE faculty and 1 academic adviser) and presented to the program faculty for a final admissions decision.

Major Code: 5508

General Education Foundations

Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.

NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.

Course List
Code Title Hours
General Education Foundations
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric3-6
ENGL 101
& ENGL 102
Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric
and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research
or ENGL 103
Accelerated Academic Writing
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology4-6
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning3-4
F4 - Society & Connections3
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past3
F6 - The Arts & Creativity3
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity3
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree)9
Total Hours31-37

Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.

Degree Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
University Requirements47
Physical Education and Kinesiology Major Requirements73
Total Hours120

University Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits)
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 828
CAHS 191First-Year Seminar2
General Electives17
Total Hours47

Physical Education and Kinesiology Major Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Foundations16
PET 101
Games in American Culture (GEF 5)
PET 124
Human Body: Structure and Function
PET 125
Principles of Human Movement
PET 175
Motor Development
PET 244
Motor Learning and Performance (C- or higher required)
PET 276
Adapted Physical Education (C- or higher required)
EXPH 365
Exercise Physiology 1
PEK BLOCK OF COURSES *45
All students must earn a minimum grade of C- in all required PET courses.
And all students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher each semester.
PET 228
Instructional Models and Curriculum in Physical Education (Fulfills Writing and Communication Skills Requirement)
PET 233
Pedagogy Theory and Application
PET 233L
Pre-Residency Laboratory 1
PET 346
Teaching of Invasion Games
PET 347
Teaching of Net and Wall Games
PET 369
Residency 1 Teaching Elementary Physical Education
PET 369L
Residency 1 Teaching Elementary Physical Education Laboratory
PET 441
Technology in Physical Education
PET 441L
Pre-Residency Lab 2
PET 445
Standards-Based Assessment in Physical Education
PET 449
Teaching of Lifetime, Fitness, and Rhythmic Activities
PET 477
Adapted Physical Education Practicum
RDNG 422
Reading in the Content Areas
SPED 404
Special Education in Contemporary Society (GEF 4)
PET 401
Foundations of Health Education
PET 402
Core Concepts in Health Education
PET 403
Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation for Health Educators
Areas of Emphasis 12
Students complete one of the following required Areas of Emphasis:
Physical Education Teaching Licensure **
Sport Pedagogy
Total Hours73
*

 Must meet Benchmark 1 to take PEK Block of Courses:

  1. Earn a grade of C- or higher in the required PET courses.
  2. Achieve an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  3. Earn ratings of "Acceptable" or better on the program professionalism assessment in PET 276.
  4. Satisfy all other requirements related to school access and safety (e.g., background checks, minors on campus training).
**

 Must meet Benchmark 2 by October 15th of Residency 1 coursework in order to be eligible for the Physical Education Teaching Licensure Area of Emphasis:

  1. Meet the WVDE Pre-Professional Skills Requirement.
  2. Pass the Praxis II (5091) exam and submit passing scores.
  3. Meet WVDE requirements for the Residency 1 and 2 clinical experience permit.

Students in the Physical Education Teaching Licensure AoE are required to complete, submit, and pass the edTPA assessment to complete their degree and to be recommended to the state of West Virginia for licensure.

***

 Must meet Benchmark 3 prior to enrolling in the Physical Education Teaching Licensure Area of Emphasis, students must:

  1. Earn a grade of C- or higher in all PET courses.
  2. Achieve an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  3. Earn ratings of "Acceptable" or better on the program professionalism assessment across all PET courses.
  4. Satisfy all other requirements related to school access and safety (e.g., background checks, minors on campus training).

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CAHS 1912PET 1252
PET 101 (GEF 5)3PET 1752
PET 1242ENGL 102 (GEF 1)3
ENGL 101 (GEF 1)3GEF 33
GEF 73GEF 83
General Elective3GEF 83
 16 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PET 2442RDNG 4223
PET 2762EXPH 3653
PET 4013SPED 404 (GEF 4)3
GEF 2B4PET 4023
GEF 63General Elective3
 14 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PET 2283PET 3463
PET 2333PET 3473
PET 233L1PET 4413
PET 4033PET 441L1
PET 4493General Elective6
General Elective2 
 15 16
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PET 3693Area of Emphasis12
PET 369L1 
PET 4453 
PET 4773 
General Elective3 
GEF 83 
 16 12
Total credit hours: 120

Recommendation for Teacher Certification

Students in the Physical Education Teaching Licensure area of emphasis must satisfy the following WV certification requirements for Physical Education, preK-adult. 

1. Students must meet the Pre-Professional Skills requirement and pass PRAXIS II (5091 exam) in physical education prior to Residency 2 - Student Teaching in Physical Education.

2. Students are required to complete, submit, and pass the edTPA assessment to complete their teacher education program, and to be recommended to the state of West Virginia for certification.

Note.  Students interested in teaching in another state will need to meet their certification requirements.  The inclusion of School Health is designed to prepare students for certification in Health following receipt of their initial certification in Physical Education. 

Areas of Emphasis

  • Physical Education Teacher Licensure
  • Sport Pedagogy

Physical Education Teaching Licensure Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code Title Hours
PET 488Residency 2 in Physical Education10
PET 489Residency 2 Seminar2
Total Hours12

Sport Pedagogy Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code Title Hours
ACE 256Principles and Problems of Coaching3
ACE 310Coaching Pedagogy3
CAHS 300Career Exploration in Applied Human Sciences3
CAHS 489Capstone Experience in AHS3
Total Hours12

Accelerated B.S./M.S. Physical Education Teacher Education Program

Students in this accelerated bachelor's to masters (ABM) program have the opportunity to concurrently complete their undergraduate degree in Physical Education and Kinesiology and their master's degree in Physical Education Teacher Education via an accelerated pathway. Students may apply for admission to this ABM in the fall semester following completion of a minimum 60 credits and/or at least three semesters of full-time coursework. Only enrolled WVU Physical Education and Kinesiology majors may be considered for admission to the program. Transfer students must complete at least 24 credit hours as degree-seeking students at WVU before applying. The minimum standard for admission is a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, with no provisional admissions allowed. Additional criteria include acceptable performance on the program's Professionalism Assessment used to monitor undergraduate student dispositions each semester and passing scores on the PRAXIS Core Exam.  Regular admission will not be offered to students with less than two semesters to complete the bachelor's degree. Students may apply using a Qualtrics application form that requires a resume and personal statement. Applications are due by October 15th with program admission decisions communicated by the end of the fall semester. Applications will be reviewed by an established ABM admissions work group.

Students in this ABM program must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout their enrollment in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Students in this ABM will complete all 30 credits of master's degree courses, 12 credits of which will count toward elective credit at the undergraduate level. Grades from selected courses (i.e., 12 credits) will be counted toward the students' GPA at both the bachelor's and master's degree levels for the purposes of determining satisfactory performance. Unless given specific permission by the Dean's Office, students admitted to this ABM program must maintain full-time continuous enrollment during fall and spring terms.  Enrollment requirements in the summer term include the completion of 6 credits at the graduate level across consecutive years. Students' eligibility to remain in this ABM program will be evaluated at the end of each semester. Students failing to meet program or University standards will be placed on program probation for no more than one semester, after which they will be terminated from the ABM program. Terminated students as well as students who choose not to continue the ABM program will be eligible to receive their bachelor's degree after completing the traditional bachelor's degree requirements.

Accelerated B.S./M.S. Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
University Requirements35
Physical Education and Kinesiology Major Requirements73
M.S. Physical Education Teacher Education Degree Requirements30
Total Hours138

University Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits)
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 828
CAHS 191First-Year Seminar2
General Electives5
Total Hours35

Physical Education and Kinesiology Major Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Foundations16
PET 101
Games in American Culture (GEF 5)
PET 124
Human Body: Structure and Function
PET 125
Principles of Human Movement
PET 175
Motor Development
PET 244
Motor Learning and Performance (C- or higher required)
PET 276
Adapted Physical Education (C- or higher required)
EXPH 365
Exercise Physiology 1
PEK Block of Courses45
All students must earn a minimum grade of C- required in all PET CORE Block courses.
And all students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher each semester.
PET 228
Instructional Models and Curriculum in Physical Education (Fulfills Writing and Communication Skills Requirement)
PET 233
Pedagogy Theory and Application
PET 233L
Pre-Residency Laboratory 1
PET 346
Teaching of Invasion Games
PET 347
Teaching of Net and Wall Games
PET 369
Residency 1 Teaching Elementary Physical Education
PET 369L
Residency 1 Teaching Elementary Physical Education Laboratory
PET 441
Technology in Physical Education
PET 441L
Pre-Residency Lab 2
PET 445
Standards-Based Assessment in Physical Education
PET 449
Teaching of Lifetime, Fitness, and Rhythmic Activities
PET 477
Adapted Physical Education Practicum
RDNG 422
Reading in the Content Areas
SPED 404
Special Education in Contemporary Society
PET 401
Foundations of Health Education
PET 402
Core Concepts in Health Education
PET 403
Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation for Health Educators
Area of Emphasis12
Students complete one of the following required Areas of Emphasis:
Physical Education Teaching Licensure
Sport Pedagogy
Total Hours73

M.S. Physical Education Teacher Education Degree Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
PET 573Instructional Technology in Physical Education3
PET 575Principles of Effective Teaching in Physical Education-Advanced Laboratory3
PET 576Adapted Physical Education-Advanced Laboratory3
PET 577School Physical Activity Programs-Advanced Laboratory3
PET 580School Physical Activity Programs3
PET 581Adapted Physical Education3
PET 583Principles of Effective Teaching in Physical Education3
PET 585Physical Education Supervision and Advocacy-Advanced Laboratory3
Choose ONE Area of Emphasis6
Curriculum and Instruction
C&I 602
Curriculum and Teaching Principles
C&I 688
Classroom Organization and Management
OR
Interscholastic Sport Administration
SM 571
Interscholastic Sport Organization and Administration
SM 578
Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration
OR
Models-based Physical Education
PET 565
Models-based Physical Education
PET 574
Models-based Physical Education-Advanced Laboratory
Total Hours30

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
PET 1013PET 1252 
PET 1242PET 1752 
ENGL 101 (GEF 1)3ENGL 1023 
CAHS 1912GEF 33 
GEF 73GEF 83 
General Elective2GEF 83 
 15 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
PET 2442EXPH 3653 
PET 2762SPED 4043 
PET 4013RDNG 4223 
GEF 2B4PET 4023 
GEF 63General Elective3 
 14 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
PET 2283PET 3463PET 5733
PET 2333PET 3473PET 5853
PET 233L1PET 4413 
PET 4033PET 441L1 
PET 4493PET 5653 
GEF 83PET 5743 
 16 16 6
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
PET 3693Area of Emphasis 12PET 5753
PET 369L1PET 5763PET 5833
PET 4453PET 5813 
PET 4773  
PET 5773  
PET 5803  
 16 18 6
Total credit hours: 138

Major Learning Outcomes

Physical Education and Kinesiology

The goal of the program is for students to possess the skills to teach, motivate, and shape the lives of preK to adult learners in physical education, movement, wellness, and sport-based environments.   

Standard 1: Content and Foundational Knowledge Physical education candidates demonstrate an understanding of common and specialized content, and scientific and theoretical foundations for the delivery of an effective preK-12 physical education program.

Standard 2: Skillfulness and Health-Related Fitness Physical education candidates are physically literate individuals who can demonstrate skillful performance in physical education content areas and health-enhancing levels of fitness.

Standard 3: Planning and Implementation Physical education candidates apply content and foundational knowledge to plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences aligned with local, state and/or SHAPE America’s National Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education through the effective use of resources, accommodations and/or modifications, technology and metacognitive strategies to address the diverse needs of all students.

Standard 4: Instructional Delivery and Management Physical education candidates engage students in meaningful learning experiences through effective use of pedagogical skills. They use communication, feedback, technology, and instructional and managerial skills to enhance student learning.

Standard 5: Assessment of Student Learning Physical education candidates select and implement appropriate assessments to monitor students’ progress and guide decision making related to instruction and learning.

Standard 6: Professional Responsibility Physical education candidates demonstrate behaviors essential to becoming effective professionals. They exhibit professional ethics and culturally competent practices; seek opportunities for continued professional development; and demonstrate knowledge of promotion/advocacy strategies for physical education and expanded physical activity opportunities that support the development of physically literate individuals.

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    • Coaching and Performance Science
    • Health and Well-​being
    • Physical Education and Kinesiology
    • Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
    • Sport Leadership
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