Physical Education and Kinesiology, B.S.

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-12^th 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

Due to Covid-19 – Admission requirements may differ from what is listed on this page. Please review the most up-to-date program admission requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Kinesiology major.

B.S. Physical Education and Kinesiology 

Interested students are offered direct admission into the Physical Education and Kinesiology major.  Across the first 3 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;
• Take the Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) exam and submit scores;
• 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 who received passing scores on the CORE exam [a score of 156 or higher on Reading (test number or CDT Code 5712); a score of 162 or higher on Writing (test number or CDT Code 5722), and a score of 150 or higher on Mathematics (test number or CDT Code 5732)] will be in the Physical Education Teaching track. Students who took the CORE exam but did not receive passing scores in all three sub-areas will be in the Sport Pedagogy track. Students in the Sport Pedagogy track can continue to take the CORE exam until they receive passing scores. If they do not attain passing scores, then they can complete the Sport Pedagogy track by taking PASS 300 and PASS 489 as well as complete up to 6 elective hours.  Students in both tracks must meet the requirements in Benchmark 2 by October 1st preceding the start of capstone experience in January.  Benchmark 2 requirements are:

• Pass the Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) exam and submit scores;
• Pass the Physical Education (5091) PRAXIS II exam and submit scores; and,
• Complete and submit the WV Department of Education Student Teaching Permit.

Students in both tracks must meet Benchmark 3 before beginning coursework in the Capstone Experience.  Students must

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

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 and passing scores on the PRAXIS Core Exam.. 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.

Admission Requirements 2023-2024

The Admission Requirements above will be the same for the 2023-2024 Academic Year.

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.

General Education Foundations
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric		3-6
ENGL 101 & ENGL 102	Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research
or ENGL 103	Accelerated Academic Writing
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology		4-6
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning		3-4
F4 - Society & Connections		3
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past		3
F6 - The Arts & Creativity		3
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity		3
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree)		9
Total Hours		31-37

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

University Requirements		38
Physical Education and Kinesiology Major Requirements		82
Total Hours		120

University Requirements

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 8		28
PASS 191	First-Year Seminar	2
General Electives		8
Total Hours		38

Physical Education and Kinesiology Major Requirements

Foundations		16
PET 101	Games in American Culture (GEF 5; C- or higher required)
PET 124	Human Body: Structure and Function (C- or higher required)
PET 125	Principles of Human Movement (C- or higher required)
PET 175	Motor Development (C- or higher required)
PET 244	Motor Learning and Performance (C- or higher required)
PET 276	Special Physical Education (C- or higher required)
PEK CORE Block *		54
All students must earn a minimum grade of C- required in all PET and PASS CORE Block courses.
And all students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher each semester.
PET 228	Curriculum in Physical Education (Fulfills Writing and Communication Skills Requirement)
PET 233	Pedagogy Theory and Application
PET 346	Teaching Physical Activities 1
PET 347	Teaching Physical Activities 2
PET 349	Health-Optimizing Physical Education
PET 350	Teaching Primary Physical Education
PET 369	Teaching K-2 Physical Education
PET 379	Teaching 3-5 Physical Education
PET 441	Technology in Physical Education
PET 447	Teaching Physical Activities 3 (Fulfills Writing and Communication Skills)
PET 449	Teaching Physical Activities 4
PET 477	Adapted Physical Education Practicum
EXPH 365	Exercise Physiology 1
RDNG 422	Reading in the Content Areas
SPED 304	Special Education in Contemporary Society (GEF 4)
PASS 401	Foundations of Health Education
PASS 402	Core Concepts in Health Education
PASS 403	Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation for Health Educators
Capstone Experience		12
Students complete one of the following tracks:
Track 1 Physical Education Teaching **
PET 487	Student Teaching: Elementary K-5 Physical Education
PET 488	Student Teaching: Secondary Physical Education
PET 489	Student Teaching Seminar
Track 2 Sport Pedagogy ****
PASS 300	Career Exploration in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
PASS 489	Capstone Experience in PASS
Electives
Total Hours		82

*

 Must meet Benchmark 1 to take PEK CORE Block:

1. Earn a grade of C- or higher required in PET 101, PET 124, PET 125, PET 167, PET 175, PET 244, PET 276.
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, TB testing, minors on campus training).

**

 Must meet Benchmark 2 by October 1st of Secondary School block coursework in order to be eligible for Track 1 Physical Education Teaching for Capstone Experience:

1. Pass all three sections of the Praxis I CORE exam and submit scores.
2. Pass the Praxis II (5091) exam and submit passing scores.
3. Complete and submit the WV Department of Education Student Teaching Permit.

Students in Track 1 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.

***

 Must meet Benchmark 3 prior to enrolling in the Capstone Experience courses, students must:

1. Earn a grade of C- or higher in all PET and PASS 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 Professional Block courses.
4. Satisfy all other requirements related to school access and safety (e.g., background checks, TB testing, minors on campus training).

****

Students are permitted to substitute up to six hours of PET 491 in the Sport Pedagogy Capstone Track with approval from the PEK program.

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
PET 124	2	PET 125	2
ENGL 101 (GEF 1)	3	PET 175	2
PET 101 (GEF 5)	3	GEF 3	3
GEF 6	3	GEF 7	3
PASS 191	2	GEF 8	3
Elective	2	GEF 8	3
	15		16
Second Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
PET 244	2	PET 228	3
PET 276	2	PET 233	4
ENGL 102 (GEF 1)	3	PET 349	3
SPED 304 (GEF 4)	3	EXPH 365	3
GEF 2B	4	PASS 403	3
	14		16
Third Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
PET 350	2	PET 346	3
PET 369	3	PET 347	3
PET 379	3	PET 441	3
RDNG 422	3	PASS 402	3
PASS 401	3	Minor or Electives	4
Minor or Electives	1
	15		16
Fourth Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
PET 447	3	PET 487 or PASS 300	5-3
PET 449	3	PET 488 or PASS 489	5-3
PET 477	3	PET 489 (Or Electives)	2
Minor or Electives	4
GEF 8	3
	16		12
Total credit hours: 120

Recommendation for Teacher Certification

Students in Track 1 Physical Education Teaching must satisfy the following WV certification requirements for Physical Education, preK-adult. 

1. Students must pass the Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) and PRAXIS II (5091 exam) in physical education prior to student teaching.

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 courses is designed to prepare students for certification in Health following receipt of their initial certification in Physical Education. 

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

University Requirements		30
Physical Education and Kinesiology Major Requirements		82
M.S. Physical Educataion Teacher Education Degree Requirements		26
Total Hours		138

University Requirements

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 8		28
PASS 191	First-Year Seminar	1
General Electives		1
Total Hours		30

Physical Education and Kinesiology Major Requirements

Foundations		16
PET 101	Games in American Culture (GEF 5; C- or higher required)
PET 124	Human Body: Structure and Function (C- or higher required)
PET 125	Principles of Human Movement (C- or higher required)
PET 167	Introduction to Physical Education (C- or higher required)
PET 175	Motor Development (C- or higher required)
PET 244	Motor Learning and Performance (C- or higher required)
PET 276	Special Physical Education (C- or higher required)
PEK CORE Block *		54
All students must earn a minimum grade of C- required in all PET and PASS CORE Block courses.
And all students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher each semester.
PET 228	Curriculum in Physical Education (Fulfills Writing and Communication Skills Requirement)
PET 233	Pedagogy Theory and Application
PET 346	Teaching Physical Activities 1
PET 347	Teaching Physical Activities 2
PET 349	Health-Optimizing Physical Education
PET 350	Teaching Primary Physical Education
PET 369	Teaching K-2 Physical Education
PET 379	Teaching 3-5 Physical Education
PET 441	Technology in Physical Education
PET 447	Teaching Physical Activities 3 (Fulfills Writing and Communication Skills)
PET 449	Teaching Physical Activities 4
PET 477	Adapted Physical Education Practicum
EXPH 365	Exercise Physiology 1
RDNG 422	Reading in the Content Areas
SPED 304	Special Education in Contemporary Society (GEF 4)
PASS 401	Foundations of Health Education
PASS 402	Core Concepts in Health Education
PASS 403	Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation for Health Educators
Capstone Experience		12
Students complete one of the following tracks:
Track 1 Physical Education Teaching **
PET 587	Student Teaching: K-5 Physical Education
PET 588	Student Teaching: 6-12 Physical Education
PET 589	Student Teaching Seminar
Track 2 Sport Pedagogy ****
PET 491	Professional Field Experience
Total Hours		82

M.S. Physical Education Teacher Education Degree Requirements

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
PET 515	Research Methodology in Physical Education	3
PET 545	Standards-Based Assessment in Physical Education	3
PET 565	Curriculum in Physical Education	3
PET 573	Instructional Technology in Sport and Physical Education	2
Select one of the following:		4
PET 574 & PET 577	Curriculum in Physical Education - Advanced Laboratory and School Physical Activity and Technology - Advanced Laboratory
PET 575 & PET 576	Effective Teaching in Physical Education - Advanced Laboratory and Motor Development for Special Populations - Advanced Laboratory
PET 581	Motor Development in Special Populations	3
PET 583	Principles of Effective Teaching	3
PET 580	School Physical Activity	3
PET 585	Physical Education Supervision and Advocacy	2
Total Hours		26

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
PET 101	3	PET 125	2
PET 124	2	PET 244	2
PET 167	3	GEF 3	3
ENGL 101 (GEF 1)	3	GEF 7	3
PASS 191	1	GEF 8	3
GEF 6	3	GEF 8	3
	15		16
Second Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
PET 175	2	PET 228	3
PET 276	2	PET 233	4
ENGL 102 (GEF 1)	3	PET 349	3
SPED 304	3	EXPH 365	3
GEF 2	4	PASS 403	3
	14		16
Third Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
PET 350	2	PET 346	3	PET 545	3
PET 369	3	PET 347	3	PET 565 or 581	3
PET 379	3	PET 441	3	PET 573	2
RDNG 422	3	PASS 402	3
PASS 401	3	PET 576 or 574	2
Minor or Elective	1	PET 581 or 565	3
	15		17		8
Fourth Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
PET 447	3	PET 587 or CI 491	5	PET 515	3
PET 449	3	PET 588 or CI 491	5	PET 580 or 583	3
PET 477	3	PET 589 or CI 491	2	PET 585	2
PET 575 or 577	2
PET 583 or 580	3
GEF 8	3
	17		12		8
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.