Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science
Nature of the Program
The undergraduate degree in sport, exercise, and performance psychology is the only major of its kind in the state of West Virginia and one of the few undergraduate programs in the nation that allows students to specialize in this knowledge area. Students explore the psychological and social factors influencing performance in sport and a range of additional performance domains, including business, military, and performing arts. Students also explore the psychological and social factors influencing exercise and physical activity behavior toward health and wellness. In spanning sport, exercise, and other performance contexts, students are prepared with knowledge and skills applicable to a range of careers and graduate programs in and around the sport industry.
Graduates of this program have pursued careers and advanced degrees in sport, exercise, and performance psychology, counseling, physical therapy, occupational therapy, public health, public administration, exercise science, business, law, and many other disciplines. Students opting to pursue an accelerated pathway can pursue a bachelor's in sport, exercise, and performance psychology and online master's in sport management in less time. Students wishing to pursue a career directly in the sport, exercise, and performance psychology field (e.g., as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant or licensed sport psychologist) are prepared to pursue the graduate degree or degrees required for those paths. Through a capstone experience, all students in the major apply their knowledge and skills in an experiential learning setting (e.g., internship or graduate school preparatory course in research) to prepare them for a career of their choice.
Admissions for 2025-2026
First time students who meet the University admission requirements are directly admitted into the SEPP program.
Students admitted from other majors within WVU must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA).
Students transferring from another institution must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA).
Major Code: 5546
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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations | ||
| F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
| 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Requirements | 66 | |
| Professional and Career Development Sequence* | ||
| Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology Major Requirements | 54 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Requirements
| 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, 5, 6 and 7 | 22 | |
| CAHS 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
| General Electives | 42 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
Professional and Career Development Sequence
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence * | ||
| First-Year Seminar | ||
| Career Exploration in Applied Human Sciences | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Capstone Experience in AHS | ||
or SEP 474 | Sport Studies Research Methods | |
Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GEF 8) | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEF 8) | 3 |
| PSYC 241 | Introduction to Human Development (GEF 8) | 3 |
| PSYC 251 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 281 | Introduction to Psychological Disorders | 3 |
| COUN 303 | Introduction to Helping Professions | 3 |
| ACE 149 | Introduction to Applied Anatomy | 3 |
| ACE 307 | Applied Sport Physiology | 3 |
| ACE 327 | Applied Biomechanics | 3 |
| A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all the following courses. | ||
| SEP 272 | Introduction to Sport and Performance Psychology (GEF 4) | 3 |
| SEP 283 | Introduction to Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| SEP 371 | Sport in American Society | 3 |
| SEP 385 | Performance Psychology of Teams and Groups | 3 |
| SEP 415 | Physical Activity Promotion in Diverse Settings | 3 |
| SEP 420 | Sport and Performance Enhancement | 3 |
| SEP 425 | Psychology of Injury and Rehabilitation | 3 |
| or HWB 359 | Mindfulness for Health and Well-being | |
| CAHS 300 | Career Exploration in Applied Human Sciences | 3 |
| CAHS 489 | Capstone Experience in AHS | 3 |
| or SEP 474 | Sport Studies Research Methods | |
| Total Hours | 54 | |
- *
CAHS 191 is accounted for in the University Requirements, CAHS 300 and CAHS 489/SEP 474 as part of the Major Requirements.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CAHS 191 | 2 | SEP 283 | 3 |
| SEP 272 (GEF 4) | 3 | ACE 149 | 3 |
| PSYC 101 (GEF 8) | 3 | SOC 101 (GEF 8) | 3 |
| ENGL 101 or 103 (GEF 1) | 3 | GEF 3 | 3 |
| GEF 2 | 4 | GEF 5 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PSYC 241 | 3 | SEP 385 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 or 103 (GEF 1) | 3 | PSYC 251 | 3 |
| GEF 6 | 3 | PSYC 281 | 3 |
| GEF 7 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CAHS 300 | 3 | SEP 371 | 3 |
| ACE 307 | 3 | ACE 327 | 3 |
| COUN 303 | 3 | SEP 425 or HWB 359 | 3 |
| Elective or Professional Minor Course 1 | 3 | Elective or Professional Minor Course 2 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective or Professional Minor Course 3 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| SEP 415 | 3 | CAHS 489 or SEP 474 | 3 |
| SEP 420 | 3 | Elective or Professional Minor Course 5 | 3 |
| Elective or Professional Minor Course 4 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Accelerated B.S. Sport and Exercise Psychology/M.S. Sport Management Program
Students in this accelerated bachelor's to masters (ABM) program have the opportunity to concurrently complete their undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology and their master's degree in Sport Management 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 Sport and Exercise Psychology 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. 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 Bachelors/Masters Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Requirements | 54 | |
| Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology Major Requirements | 54 | |
| Master of Science Executive Sport Management Requirements | 30 | |
| Total Hours | 138 | |
University Requirements
| 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, 5, 6 and 7 | 22 | |
| CAHS 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
| General Electives | 30 | |
| Total Hours | 54 | |
Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 241 | Introduction to Human Development | 3 |
| PSYC 251 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 281 | Introduction to Psychological Disorders | 3 |
| COUN 303 | Introduction to Helping Professions | 3 |
| ACE 149 | Introduction to Applied Anatomy | 3 |
| ACE 307 | Applied Sport Physiology | 3 |
| ACE 327 | Applied Biomechanics | 3 |
| A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all the following courses. | ||
| SEP 272 | Introduction to Sport and Performance Psychology | 3 |
| SEP 283 | Introduction to Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| SEP 371 | Sport in American Society | 3 |
| SEP 385 | Performance Psychology of Teams and Groups | 3 |
| SEP 415 | Physical Activity Promotion in Diverse Settings | 3 |
| SEP 420 | Sport and Performance Enhancement | 3 |
| SEP 425 | Psychology of Injury and Rehabilitation | 3 |
| or HWB 359 | Mindfulness for Health and Well-being | |
| CAHS 489 | Capstone Experience in AHS | 3 |
| CAHS 300 | Career Exploration in Applied Human Sciences | 3 |
| Total Hours | 54 | |
MS Executive Sport Management Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SM 527 | Navigating Legal Issues in Sport Management | 3 |
| SM 535 | Management of Human Resources in Sport Organizations | 3 |
| SM 540 | Sport Policy and Governance | 3 |
| SM 546 | Sport Consumer Behavior and Marketing | 3 |
| SM 570 | Financial Decision-Making in Sport | 3 |
| SM 575 | Sport Development and Fundraising | 3 |
| SM 580 | Social and Ethical Responsibility in Sport | 3 |
| SM 586 | Sport Facility Operations | 3 |
| Choose ONE Area of Emphasis | 6 | |
Sport Industry Management Area of Emphasis | ||
| Applied Research in Sport Management | ||
| Current Issues & Applications in Sport Management | ||
OR | ||
Interscholastic Athletic Administration Area of Emphasis | ||
| Interscholastic Sport Organization and Administration | ||
| Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| CAHS 191 | 2 | SEP 283 | 3 | ||
| SEP 272 | 3 | ACE 149 | 3 | ||
| PSYC 101 | 3 | SOC 101 | 3 | ||
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | GEF 3 | 3 | ||
| GEF 2 | 4 | GEF 5 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| PSYC 241 | 3 | SEP 385 | 3 | ||
| ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | PSYC 251 | 3 | ||
| GEF 6 | 3 | PSYC 281 | 3 | ||
| GEF 7 | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| CAHS 300 | 3 | SEP 371 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| ACE 307 | 3 | ACE 327 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| COUN 303 | 3 | SEP 425 or HWB 359 | 3 | ||
| Elective or Professional Minor Course 1 | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | 6 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| SEP 415 | 3 | CAHS 489 or SEP 474 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| SEP 420 | 3 | Elective or Professional Minor Course 4 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| Elective or Professional Minor Course 2 | 3 | Elective or Professional Minor Course 5 | 3 | ||
| Elective or Professional Minor Course 3 | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| ABM | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| ABM | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| 18 | 18 | 6 | |||
| Total credit hours: 138 | |||||
Major Learning Outcomes
Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
The goal of this program is to prepare students with essential knowledge and skills to successfully pursue graduate programs and careers within sport, exercise, and performance psychology and related industries of their choice.
- Content Knowledge: Students will integrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions and apply them to professional issues in sport, exercise, and performance psychology.
- Reflection and Professional Readiness: Students will reflect on their professional readiness and think critically about the continued refinement of the disciplinary knowledge, skills, and dispositions learned across the sport, exercise, and performance psychology curriculum.
- Professionalism and Ethics: Students will model professional and ethical behaviors that are consistent with the industry standards and the related recommendations for best practice learned across the sport, exercise, and performance psychology curriculum.