Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science
Nature of the Program
This major prepares you to work with high-performance athletes in the athletic or tactical contexts, or with recreational participants in community or club leagues. As a profession, coaching has evolved well beyond merely teaching skills and strategy to athletes. Today, coaches need to evaluate and monitor athlete performance from the perspective of both a sport scientist and a sport pedagogist. The Coaching and Performance Science major is designed to prepare future coaches who will specialize in “on-field” coaching versus “off-field” coaching (e.g., strength and conditioning, athlete performance and recovery). Students will complete an area of emphasis in one of three areas: Coaching and Leadership, Strength and Conditioning, or Applied Sport Science.
The Coaching and Leadership area focuses on the development of sport specific and underlying scientific content knowledge as well as the essential interpersonal and intrapersonal skills necessary for quality teaching and leadership within the sport context. The program challenges students to focus on their personal professional foundation and on-going development through the integration of applied sport science and hands-on application in coaching.
Strength and Conditioning area concentrates on the science of training, designing training prescriptions and the ability to coach both in and out of a weight room. Students participate in hands-on experiences performing and coaching strength exercises to peers as well as how to administer different strength and power tests in our instructional performance lab.
The Applied Sport Science area of emphasis focuses on athlete monitoring and performance assessment, allowing for an improved understanding of how athletes are responding to their training prescription and better overall steering of the training/recovery process. Students participate in a variety of hands-on learning opportunities in the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute’s Human Performance Innovation Center; an applied sport science laboratory and/or with WVU athletic teams.
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 Coaching and Performance Science major.
Interested students are offered direct admission into the Coaching and Performance Science major. Across the first 3-4 semesters, students must complete a series of courses to meet Benchmark 1. Specifically, students must:
- Earn a grade of C- or higher in ACE 106, ACE 215, ACE 256, COMM 100 & COMM 102 (or COMM 104), HN&F 171, MATH 121 or STAT 111, PET 101, PET 124, PET 125, PET 175, PET 244;
- Achieve an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Students who meet Benchmark 1 requirements can begin taking upper-level ACE prefix-courses (300 or higher) and other certification requirements to meet Benchmark 2 requirements. Specifically, students must:
- Earn a grade of C- or higher in ACE 310, ACE 410, ACE 468, ACE 469, and ACE 488;
- Submit documentation of Safe Sport certification.
Students who meet Benchmark 2 requirements complete remaining Coaching and Performance Science major requirements to graduate.
Admission Requirements 2023-2024
The Admission Requirements above will be the same for the 2023-2024 Academic Year.
Major Code: 5510
Degree Requirements
| University Requirements | 49 | |
| Career and Professional Development Common Core | ||
| Coaching and Performance Science Major Requirements | 71 | |
| 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, 5, 6, and 8 | 21 | |
| PASS 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
| General Electives | 26 | |
| Total Hours | 49 | |
Professional and Career Development Common Core
| Common Core * | ||
| First-Year Seminar | ||
| Career Exploration in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Internship: Practicum & Data Analysis | ||
| Strength and Conditioning Internship | ||
| Capstone Experience in PASS | ||
Coaching and Performance Science Major Requirements
| ACE 215 | Sport for the Exceptional Athlete (GEF 7) | 3 |
| ACE 256 | Principles and Problems of Coaching (must earn B- or higher) | 3 |
| HN&F 171 | Introduction to Human Nutrition (GEF 2) | 3 |
| Select one of the following courses (GEF 3): ** | 3 | |
| Intro Concepts Of Mathematics | ||
| Algebra with Applications | ||
| PET 124 | Human Body: Structure and Function | 2 |
| PET 125 | Principles of Human Movement | 2 |
| PET 175 | Motor Development | 2 |
| PET 244 | Motor Learning and Performance | 2 |
| Select one of the following (GEF 8): | 3 | |
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| ACE 265 | Diversity and Sport (must earn B- or higher) | 3 |
| ACE 310 | Coaching Pedagogy (must earn B- or higher) | 3 |
| ACE 410 | Training Theories for Coaches | 3 |
| ACE 468 | Sport Movement Analysis | 3 |
| ACE 488 | Practicum Coaching Exceptional Athletes | 3 |
| ACE 469 | Basic Strength/Condtng-Coaches | 3 |
| EXPH 365 | Exercise Physiology 1 | 3 |
| PASS 300 | Career Exploration in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences | 3 |
| SEP 272 | Psychological Perspectives of Sport (GEF 4) | 3 |
| SM 426 | Liability in Sport | 3 |
| Complete one of the following Areas of Emphasis (AoE) | 18 | |
Coaching & Leadership *** | ||
Strength and Conditioning | ||
Applied Sport Science | ||
| Proof of Certifications | ||
| Total Hours | 71 | |
- *
PASS 191 is accounted for in the University Requirements, PASS 300 in the Major Requirements, and the Capstone is accounted for in the specific AOE chosen.
- **
Coaching and Leadership students complete MATH 121. Applied Sport Science and Strength and Conditioning students complete MATH 124.
- ***
Students completing the Coaching and Leadership Area of Emphasis must complete CDFS 110 with a minimum grade of C- which also fulfills GEF 8.
Areas of Emphasis Offered:
Applied Sport Science Area of Emphasis
| STAT 211 | Elementary Statistical Inference | 3 |
| EXPH 364 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| ACE 453 | Applied Sport Science Stats | 3 |
| ACE 457 | Introduction to Sport Technology and Sport Science | 3 |
| ACE 458 | Internship: Practicum & Data Collection | 3 |
| ACE 459 | Internship: Practicum & Data Analysis | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | MATH 124 (GEF 8) | 3 |
| PET 124 | 2 | PET 125 | 2 |
| PET 175 | 2 | HN&F 171 (GEF 2) | 3 |
| PASS 191 | 1 | ACE 215 (GEF 7) | 3 |
| GEF 5 | 3 | GEF 2 | 3 |
| General Electives | 6 | General Electives | 2 |
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PET 244 | 2 | STAT 211 (GEF 8) | 3 |
| ACE 256 | 3 | ACE 265 | 3 |
| SEP 272 (GEF 4) | 3 | PASS 300 | 3 |
| GEF 6 | 3 | EXPH 364 | 3 |
| General Electives | 4 | General Electives | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EXPH 365 | 3 | ACE 310 | 3 |
| ACE 453 | 3 | SM 426 | 3 |
| ACE 457 | 3 | COMM 306 or 316 (GEF 8) | 3 |
| ACE 468 | 3 | General Electives | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | ACE 410 | 3 |
| ACE 458 | 3 | ACE 459 | 3 |
| ACE 469 | 3 | ACE 488 | 3 |
| General Electives | 6 | GEF 8 | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Coaching and Leadership Area of Emphasis
| LDR 201 | Principles of Leadership | 3 |
| CDFS 412 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| CDFS 414 | Adolescent Problems and Disorders | 3 |
| ACE 430 | Coaching Education Administration | 3 |
| ACE 489 | Practicum Coaching Youth Sport | 3 |
| PASS 489 | Capstone Experience in PASS | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | PET 125 | 2 |
| PET 124 | 2 | HN&F 171 (GEF 2) | 3 |
| PET 175 | 2 | ACE 215 (GEF 7) | 3 |
| PASS 191 | 2 | GEF 2 | 3 |
| GEF 5 | 3 | General Electives | 5 |
| General Electives | 2 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MATH 121 or 124 (GEF 3) | 3 | CDFS 110 (GEF 8) | 3 |
| PET 244 | 2 | LDR 201 | 3 |
| ACE 256 | 3 | ACE 265 | 3 |
| GEF 8 | 3 | SEP 272 | 3 |
| General Electives | 4 | COMM 306 or 316 (GEF 8) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PASS 300 | 3 | ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 |
| ACE 310 | 3 | SM 426 | 3 |
| EXPH 365 | 3 | ACE 430 | 3 |
| ACE 468 | 3 | ACE 488 | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | General Electives | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CDFS 412 | 3 | ACE 410 | 3 |
| ACE 469 | 3 | CDFS 414 | 3 |
| ACE 489 | 3 | PASS 489 | 3 |
| General Electives | 6 | GEF 6 | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Strength and Conditioning Area of Emphasis
| HN&F 200 | Nutrition/Activity/Health | 3 |
| EXPH 364 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| ACE 457 | Introduction to Sport Technology and Sport Science | 3 |
| ACE 473 | Strength and Conditioning Coaching Techniques | 3 |
| ACE 487 | Sport Specific Strngth/Condtng | 3 |
| ACE 475 | Strength and Conditioning Internship | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | MATH 124 | 3 |
| PET 124 | 2 | PET 125 | 2 |
| PET 175 | 2 | HN&F 171 (GEF 2) | 3 |
| PASS 191 | 2 | ACE 215 (GEF 7) | 3 |
| GEF 5 | 3 | GEF 2 | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | Elective | 2 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PET 244 | 2 | HN&F 200 | 3 |
| ACE 256 | 3 | ACE 265 | 3 |
| SEP 272 | 3 | PASS 300 | 3 |
| GEF 8 | 3 | EXPH 364 | 3 |
| Electives | 4 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EXPH 365 | 3 | ACE 310 | 3 |
| ACE 457 | 3 | SM 426 | 3 |
| ACE 468 | 3 | ACE 473 | 3 |
| ACE 469 | 3 | ACE 487 | 3 |
| GEF 8 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | COMM 306 (GEF 8) | 3 |
| ACE 475 | 3 | ACE 410 | 3 |
| GEF 6 | 3 | ACE 488 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Electives | 6 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Coaching and Performance Science
The goal of the program is for students to graduate with the essential skills and knowledge to work with athletes in a variety of contexts across their lifetime.
By the completion of the program, graduates:
Courses
ACE 105. Nutrition for Coaches. 3 Hours.
General nutrition and dietary requirements to aid coaches and their athletes.
ACE 106. Athletic Coaching Education. 3 Hours.
Overview of athletic coaching profession including careers opportunities, critical current issues/trends, professional standards and the professional organizations.
ACE 168. Sport Officiating. 2 Hours.
Study of the art, science, industry standards, and best practices of the officiating profession across all levels of sport.
ACE 215. Sport for the Exceptional Athlete. 3 Hours.
PR or CONC: PET 175 with a minimum grade of C-. Examines the past, present and future of sport for athletes with disabilities and those competing at the Masters-level. The focus is on the coaching of these unique populations of competitive and recreational athletes.
ACE 256. Principles and Problems of Coaching. 3 Hours.
Designed to teach students the principles and problems of interscholastic athletic coaching. Coaching & Performance Science (CPS) majors must earn B- or higher.
ACE 265. Diversity and Sport. 3 Hours.
Covers historical and current topics relevant to diversity in sport as it relates to current sport practices. Practical strategies for facilitating acceptance of diversity within individual/team sports are discussed.
ACE 293. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
ACE 298. Honors. 1-3 Hours.
PR: Students in Honors Program and consent by the honors director. Independent reading, study, or research.
ACE 310. Coaching Pedagogy. 3 Hours.
PR: PET 244 with a minimum grade of C-. Pedagogical theory applied to coaching context, including roles and responsibilities, planning, instruction and feedback, and assessment for sport contexts.
ACE 350. Career Planning In Sport. 3 Hours.
Students will utilize the Career Service Center and demonstrate a working knowledge of various job search strategies and career planning.
ACE 356. Techniques of Coaching:Cheerleading. 3 Hours.
Designed to provide students with knowledge, skills, and motivation that will prepare them to become safe and successful cheerleading coaches.
ACE 357. Techniques of Coaching: Swimming. 2 Hours.
Designed to permit students to gain athletic coaching experience through a supervised on-site experience with a varsity athletic team.
ACE 359. Techniques of Coaching: Track. 2 Hours.
Designed to permit students to gain athletic coaching experience through a supervised on-site experience with a varsity athletic team.
ACE 360. Techniques of Coaching: Wrestling. 2 Hours.
Designed to permit students to gain athletic coaching experience through a supervised on-site experience with a varsity athletic team.
ACE 361. Techniques of Coaching: Soccer. 2 Hours.
Designed to permit students to gain athletic coaching experience through a supervised on-site experience with a varsity athletic team.
ACE 362. Techniques of Coaching: Basketball. 2 Hours.
Designed to permit students to gain athletic coaching experience through a supervised on-site experience with a varsity athletic team.
ACE 364. Techniques of Coaching: Football. 2 Hours.
Designed to permit students to gain athletic coaching experience through a supervised on-site experience with a varsity athletic team.
ACE 365. Techniques of Coaching: Baseball. 2 Hours.
Designed to permit students to gain athletic coaching experiencethrough a supervised on-site experience with a varsity athletic team.
ACE 366. Techniques of Coaching: Volleyball. 2 Hours.
Designed to permit students to gain athletic coaching experience through a supervised on-site experience with a varsity athletic team.
ACE 374. Fitness Field Testing. 3 Hours.
Provide content knowledge and practical experience concerned with health screening, fitness testing, assessment and evaluation. Content needed for ACE national certification exam.
ACE 376. Techniques of Lacrosse. 2 Hours.
Design sport specific daily workout plans and season practice plans and instructional techniques for teaching fundamental technical and tactical skills of lacrosse.
ACE 377. Techniques of Tennis. 2 Hours.
Design sport specific daily workout plans and season practice plans and instructional techniques for teaching fundamental technical and tactical skills of tennis.
ACE 389. Introduction to Adventure Sports. 1 Hour.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of adventure sports including its history, career opportunities, and common competencies needed to succeed in the industry.
ACE 393. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
ACE 410. Training Theories for Coaches. 3 Hours.
PR: (EXPH 365 and PR or CONC: ACE 468 and ACE 469) with a minimum grade of C- in all. Application of sport training theories to building, designing and assessing athlete training plans, seasonal team development and long term athlete development from physical literacy to peak performance at all participation levels.
ACE 430. Coaching Education Administration. 3 Hours.
An administrative focus of leadership, finance, fundraising, planning, facility development, personnel supervision, public relations, rules and regulations, purchase and care of equipment and the conducting of athletic events.
ACE 451. Plan/Risk Management for Adventure Sport. 3 Hours.
The objective of this course is to provide students with a thorough introduction to the process of planning safe, fun, and meaningful outdoor adventure programs.
ACE 452. Outdoor Leader/Group Dynamics. 3 Hours.
The objective of this course is to guide students as they explore the concepts of leadership and group dynamics as they pertain to working with groups in outdoor adventure settings.
ACE 453. Applied Sport Science Stats. 3 Hours.
PR: ACE 457 and STAT 211 with a minimum grade of C- in each. Applied statistics in sport science includes a review of basic research design, data collection in applied athletic settings, the selection and use of appropriate statistical procedures in sport science, as well as data visualization techniques that can be used to make decisions regarding athlete status.
ACE 454. Advanced Sport Instruction Techniques. 3 Hours.
The objective of this course is to provide students with a thorough overview of the skills and knowledge needed to effectively instruct participants of outdoor adventure activities.
ACE 455. Adventure Sports Internship. 2-6 Hours.
The goal of this course is to provide students with a supervised professional experience within an adventure sports environment under the direction of a supervisor at that site.
ACE 457. Introduction to Sport Technology and Sport Science. 3 Hours.
PR or CONC: ACE 368 with a minimum grade of C-. This course focuses on developing the skills needed to develop and implement appropriate monitoring and training evaluation plans in sport training. Additionally, students will learn to evaluate technology based tools to allow coaches to optimizing the training process and training adjustment decisions.
ACE 458. Internship: Practicum & Data Collection. 3 Hours.
PR: ACE 457 with a minimum grade of C-. Practical internship experience preparing training and competition monitoring programs as well as monitoring and collecting sport training and sport performance data using sport technologies.
ACE 459. Internship: Practicum & Data Analysis. 3 Hours.
PR: ACE 458 with a minimum grade of C-. Practical internship experience analyzing training and competition monitoring data and utilizing it for coaching based decisions using sport technologies.
ACE 463. Group Fitness Internship. 6 Hours.
This course provides a supervised professional experience in teaching group fitness classes under the direction of a professional at the site.
ACE 468. Sport Movement Analysis. 3 Hours.
PR: PET 124 and PET 125 with a minimum grade of C- in each. This course is designed to introduce a prospective coach to the principles of human movement.
ACE 469. Basic Strength/Condtng-Coaches. 3 Hours.
PR: EXPH 364 or EXPH 365 or (PET 124 and PET 125) with a minimum grade of C- in each, and Junior Standing. Present basic exercise performance methodologies to assist in coaching athletics. Types of training include speed drills, agility drills, conditioning workouts, flexibility exercises, balance- improvement drills, and proper training-environment safety techniques.
ACE 471. Gender and Sport. 3 Hours.
Explore the history of sex and gender in sport, and investigate how sex and gender have influenced opportunities and experiences in sport for participants, coaches, administrations, parents, and fans.
ACE 473. Strength and Conditioning Coaching Techniques. 3 Hours.
PR: ACE 469 or EXPH 369 with a minimum grade of C-. Hands-on experience performing and coaching exercises to improve athletic performance. Specifics include resistance training, core exercises, proprioception rehabilitation, injury prevention, flexibility exercises, plyometric and explosive techniques, speed training, agility exercises.
ACE 474. Aquatic Fitness Instructor. 1 Hour.
PR: ACE 470. Provides theoretical framework, content knowledge, and practical experiences in teaching aquatic fitness in a group setting.
ACE 475. Strength and Conditioning Internship. 3 Hours.
PR: ACE 469 and ACE 473 and ACE 487 and HN&F 200 with a minimum grade of C- in all. Prearranged experiential learning program, to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors in strength and conditioning environment. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.
ACE 476. Fitness Internship. 3-6 Hours.
PR: ACE 470 or ACE 472. Supervised experience in a health/fitness environment under the direction of a professional at the site. Preparation for the ACE national certification exam.
ACE 480. Fitness Certification. 2 Hours.
This course provides college credit for successfully passing the North American Council on Exercise Certification Exam in personal training or Group Fitness Instruction.
ACE 482. Certified Pool Operator. 3 Hours.
This class is designed to give students the knowledge and skills to sit for the NSPF Pool Operator Exam. (Students responsible for the NSPF Exam fee.).
ACE 483. Aquatic Exercise Professional. 3 Hours.
This course is designed to prepare students to take the AEA Professional Instructor Exam for water aerobics instructors. (Students are responsible for the AEA exam fee.).
ACE 484. Aquatic Staff and Programming. 3 Hours.
This class teaches students the different types of staff and programs available for an aquatic facility.
ACE 485. Aquatic Design and Budget. 3 Hours.
PR: ACE 482 and ACE 484 and PE 175 and PET 324. Teaches students to design a facility that is both functional and profitable.
ACE 486. Aquatic Management Internship. 3 Hours.
PR: ACE 482 and ACE 484 and PE 175 and PET 324. This class will give students hands-on experience with aquatic facility management.
ACE 487. Sport Specific Strngth/Condtng. 3 Hours.
PR: ACE 469 or EXPH 369 with a minimum grade of C-. Present optimal training for athletics of different sports in trained and untrained states. Specific protocols in resistance training and conditioning, correcting specific running and speed mechanics and agility movements.
ACE 488. Practicum Coaching Exceptional Athletes. 3 Hours.
PR: ACE 215 and ACE 310 with a minimum grade of C- in both. Integration of theoretical knowledge and development issues with practical field experiences working with exceptional athletes.
ACE 489. Practicum Coaching Youth Sport. 3 Hours.
PR: ACE 256, PET 244, and one of the ACE Techniques of Coaching. Integration of theoretical knowledge and development issues with practical field experiences in coaching youth.
ACE 490. Teaching Practicum. 1-3 Hours.
PR: Consent. Teaching practice as a tutor or assistant.
ACE 491. Professional Field Experience. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. (May be repeated up to a maximum of 18 hours.) Prearranged experiential learning program, to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.
ACE 492. Directed Study. 1-3 Hours.
Directed study, reading, and/or research.
ACE 493. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
ACE 494. Seminar. 1-3 Hours.
PR: Consent. Presentation and discussion of topics of mutual concern to students and faculty.
ACE 495. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours.
Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings.
ACE 496. Senior Thesis. 1-3 Hours.
PR: Consent.
ACE 497. Research. 1-6 Hours.
Independent research projects.
ACE 498. Honors. 1-3 Hours.
PR: Students in Honors Program and consent by the honors director. Independent reading, study, or research.