• Skip to Content
  • AZ Index
  • Catalog Home
  • Institution Home
West Virginia University 2022-2023 Academic Catalog
WVU Home
Would you like to search this site specifically, or all WVU websites?
  • Catalog Home
  • WVU Morgantown
    • Undergraduate Catalog
    • Graduate/​Professional Catalog
  • WVU Potomac State College
    • Applied Sciences
    • Liberal Arts
    • STEM
    • Regents Bachelor of Arts
  • WVU Institute of Technology
    • College of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences
    • Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences
    • Department of Nursing
  • Archived Catalogs
  • Catalog Home/
  • WVU Morgantown/
  • Undergraduate Catalog/
  • Applied Human Sciences/
  • School of Sport Sciences/
  • Sport and Exercise Psychology
WVU Morgantown

Sport and Exercise Psychology, B.S.

  • Overview
  • Admissions Requirements
  • Major
  • Accelerated Program
  • Learning Outcomes
  • Courses

Degree Offered

  • Bachelor of Science

Nature of the Program

If you would like to combine your love of sports and fitness with an interest in psychology, then you have found the perfect major.  This program is designed to help students understand the impact of the mind on performance across many different performance based domains such as sport, performing arts, business, and the military.

Students interested in pursuing a career in sport and exercise psychology know that most jobs will require that they must first complete a graduate degree before entering the job market.  Thus, the primary mission of the undergraduate major in sport and exercise psychology is to prepare students for graduate studies across a number of related disciplines.  This program provides students with elective options that have allowed them to meet the entrance requirements necessary to be successful gaining admission into graduate programs related to sport and exercise psychology, counseling, physical therapy, occupational therapy, public health, public administration, exercise science, sport management, business, law, and many other disciplines.

What makes the undergraduate major in sport and exercise psychology unique?  First, it 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 sport and exercise psychology.  Second, the curriculum contains a number of exciting and innovative courses, such as the Social Psychology of Sport, Performance Enhancement, Exercise Psychology, the Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury, Physical Activity promotion, and African Americans in Sport. Several of the courses in the curriculum can be used to meet requirements of the university’s General Education Foundation program.  Third, through our major’s club and professional development courses, students will interact with graduate students in our highly acclaimed doctoral program, meet leading professionals in the field, attend student and professional conferences, have opportunities to conduct research, and participate in other student-centered professional and social activities. Further this program has six faculty members dedicated to providing a quality learning experience for students.  Students often pursue employment to use their sport psychology training to help them work with athletes of all ages and ability levels, business executives, the military, and other related settings.

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 Sport and Exercise Psychology major.

All students are directly admitted into the SEP program. However, to be eligible to take upper level SEP courses (SEP Professional Block), students must meet the following benchmark criteria:

  • SEP 271 (Need a grade of B or better)
  • SEP 272 (Need a grade of B or better)
  • PSYC 101 (Need a grade of C or better)
  • SOCA 101 (Need a grade of C or better)
  • Minimum required GPA – 2. 5 Cumulative GPA

Admission Requirements 2023-2024

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

Major Code: 5512

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 & 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

University Requirements53
Sport and Exercise Psychology Program Requirements13
Professional and Career Development Common Core
Sport and Exercise Psychology Major Requirements54
Total Hours120

University Requirements

General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits)
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 5, 6 and 715
PASS 191First-Year Seminar2
General Electives36
Total Hours53

Professional and Career Development Common Core

Common Core *
PASS 191
First-Year Seminar
PASS 300
Career Exploration in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
Select one of the following:
PASS 489
Capstone Experience in PASS
or SEP 474
Sport Studies Research Methods

Sport and Exercise Psychology Program Requirements

BIOL 102
& 102L
General Biology 2
and General Biology 2 Laboratory (GEF 2)
4
PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology3
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology3
Sociology (SOC) 200-400 Level Elective3
Total Hours13

Sport and Exercise Psychology Major Requirements

ACE 256Principles and Problems of Coaching3
PASS 300Career Exploration in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences3
COUN 303Introduction to Helping Professions3
PET 124Human Body: Structure and Function2
PET 125Principles of Human Movement2
PET 175Motor Development2
EXPH 365Exercise Physiology 13
PSYC 241Introduction to Human Development (GEF 8)3
PSYC 251Introduction to Social Psychology (GEF 8)3
PSYC 281Introduction to Abnormal Psychology3
Select one of the following (GEF 3):3
STAT 111
Understanding Statistics
MATH 124
Algebra with Applications
SEP 271Sport in American Society (GEF 8)3
SEP 272Psychological Perspectives of Sport (GEF 4)3
SEP 383Exercise Psychology3
SEP 385Social Psychology of Sport3
SEP 420Sport Performance Enhancement3
SEP 425Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury3
Select one of the following3
SEP 474
Sport Studies Research Methods
PASS 489
Capstone Experience in PASS
Select one of the following:3
PASS 359
Mindfulness for Health and Well-being
SEP 415
Physical Activity Promotion in Diverse Settings
SEP 430
Cross Cultural Perspectives in Sport Psychology
SEP 493
Special Topics
Total Hours54
*

PASS 191 is accounted for in University Requirements. PASS 300 and PASS 489/SEP 474 are accounted for in Major Requirements.

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENGL 101 (GEF 1)3BIOL 102
& 102L (GEF 2)
4
PSYC 1013SEP 271 or 272 (GEF 8)3
SEP 272 or 271 (GEF 4)3GEF 53
GEF 63PET 1242
PASS 1912ENGL 1023
 14 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ACE 2563PET 1752
PSYC 2413GEF 73
PET 1252Elective or Minor Course9
SOC 1013PSYC 2513
STAT 111 or MATH 1243 
 14 17
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
COUN 3033Elective or Minor Course9
SEP 3833SEP 3853
PASS 3003EXPH 3653
Sociology Elective 200 level3 
PSYC 2813 
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
SEP 4153SEP 4743
SEP 4203SEP 4253
Elective or Minor Course9Elective or Minor Course9
 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

University Requirements44
Sport and Exercise Psychology Program Requirements13
Sport and Exercise Psychology Major Requirements51
Master of Science Sport Management Requirements30
Total Hours138

University Requirements

General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits)
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 3, 5, 6 and 718
PASS 191First-Year Seminar2
General Electives24
Total Hours44

Sport and Exercise Psychology Program Requirements

BIOL 102
& 102L
General Biology 2
and General Biology 2 Laboratory (GEF 2)
4
PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology *3
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology3
Sociology (SOCA) 200-400 Level Elective3
Total Hours13

Sport and Exercise Psychology Major Requirements

ACE 256Principles and Problems of Coaching3
COUN 303Introduction to Helping Professions3
EXPH 365Exercise Physiology 13
PASS 300Career Exploration in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences3
PET 124Human Body: Structure and Function2
PET 125Principles of Human Movement2
PET 175Motor Development2
PSYC 241Introduction to Human Development (GEF 8)3
PSYC 251Introduction to Social Psychology (GEF 8)3
PSYC 281Introduction to Abnormal Psychology3
SEP 271Sport in American Society (GEF 8) *3
SEP 272Psychological Perspectives of Sport (GEF 4) *3
SEP 383Exercise Psychology3
SEP 385Social Psychology of Sport3
SEP 420Sport Performance Enhancement3
SEP 425Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury3
Select one of the following:3
PASS 489
Capstone Experience in PASS
SEP 474
Sport Studies Research Methods
Select one of the following:3
PASS 359
Mindfulness for Health and Well-being
SEP 415
Physical Activity Promotion in Diverse Settings
SEP 430
Cross Cultural Perspectives in Sport Psychology
SEP 493
Special Topics
Total Hours51

Master of Science in Sport Management Requirements

Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or higher required.
A grade of C or higher must be earned in all major courses
Core Coursework
SM 527Legal Issues in Sport Administration3
SM 575Fund-Raising and Development3
SM 535Sport Management Processes3
SM 546Sport Marketing3
SM 570Sport Finance3
SM 580Sociocultural and Ethical Dimensions of Sport3
SM 540International Sport Governance3
SM 516Sport Marketing Research Methods3
or SM 571 Interscholastic Sport Organization and Administration
SM 590Teaching Practicum3
or SM 578 Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration
SM 586Facility Planning and Management3
Total Hours30

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
ENGL 101 (GEF 1)3BIOL 102
& 102L (GEF 2)
4 
PSYC 1013SEP 271 or 272 (GEF 8)3 
SEP 272 or 271 (GEF 4)3GEF 53 
GEF 63PET 1242 
PASS 1912ENGL 1023 
 14 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
ACE 2563PET 1752 
GEF 33GEF 73 
PSYC 2413Elective or Minor Course9 
PET 1252PSYC 2513 
SOC 1013  
 14 17
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
COUN 3033EXPH 3653SM 5353
SEP 3833SEP 3853SM 5863
PASS 3003SM 5703 
Sociology Elective 200-Level3SM 5803 
PSYC 2813Elective or Minor Course3 
 15 15 6
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
SEP 4153SEP 4743SM 5273
SEP 4203SEP 4253SM 5403
SM 516 or 5713SM 5463 
SM 590 or 5783SM 5753 
Elective or Minor Course6Elective or Minor Course6 
 18 18 6
Total credit hours: 138

Major Learning Outcomes

Sport and Exercise Psychology

The goal of the program is for students to graduate with the essential skills and knowledge necessary to prepare them for a career in the field of sport and exercise psychology and to help them gain admission into graduate school in a program of their choice.  This is a graduate school preparatory program, with students attending graduate programs in sport and exercise psychology, exercise science, human services, and public health fields. 

  • Content Knowledge - Program graduates will integrate disciplinary knowledge, skills, and dispositions and apply them to professional issues in sport and exercise psychology. 
  • Reflection and Critical Thinking - Program graduates will reflect on their professional readiness and think critically about the continued refinement of the disciplinary knowledge, skills, and dispositions learned across the curriculum in sport and exercise psychology. 
  • Professionalism and Ethics - Program graduates will model professional and ethical behaviors that are consistent with industry standards and the related recommendations for best practice learned across sport and exercise psychology. 

Courses

SEP 210. Professional Issues in Sport and Exercise Psychology 1. 1 Hour.

An introduction to professional issues relevant to the field of sport psychology. Provides opportunities for students to gain practical experiences within the field. This is a service-learning course which includes a requirement of 10 hours of volunteer service.

SEP 271. Sport in American Society. 3 Hours.

Sociocultural investigation of sport in American society.

SEP 272. Psychological Perspectives of Sport. 3 Hours.

An examination of personality and behavioral factors as they affect participation in sport. Topics such as stress and sport, body image, aggression and the sport participant, and the licensure of sport psychologists highlight the course.

SEP 273. Sport and Exercise Psychology Lab. 1 Hour.

This course is designed to help students understand and utilize in their own lives, the skills and constructs taught from a theoretical perspective in SEP 272. This course will help students enhance their knowledge of sport and exercise psychology constructs and allow them to implement these skills within a laboratory setting.

SEP 293. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.

PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.

SEP 298. Honors. 1-3 Hours.

PR: Students in Honors Program and consent by the honors director. Independent reading, study, or research.

SEP 312. Professional Issues in Sport Psychology 3. 1 Hour.

PR: SEP 210 and SEP 271 and SEP 272 with a minimum grade of B- in all and Junior or Senior standing. This 1 credit upper level undergraduate course provides undergraduate students majoring in Sport and Exercise Psychology with the necessary skills needed to succeed upon their graduation from the Sport and Exercise Psychology program and West Virginia University. This is a service-learning course which will include a required 10 hours of volunteer service.

SEP 373. African Americans in Sports. 3 Hours.

Sociocultural and historical overview of the contributions of African Americans in sport in America.

SEP 383. Exercise Psychology. 3 Hours.

Introduction to motivational and mental health factors associated with exercise participation.

SEP 385. Social Psychology of Sport. 3 Hours.

PR: (SEP 271 or SEP 272) with a minimum grade of C- and Junior or Senior standing. This course provides an introduction to and overview of the social psychology of sport. Sport does not operate in a vacuum; it occurs in a highly social environment and can thus have significant influences on participants. The student will be exposed to social psychology theory and research as well as its potential use in your own personal and professional lives.

SEP 415. Physical Activity Promotion in Diverse Settings. 3 Hours.

Focuses on the health effects of physical activity and exercise, inequities in access to physical activity settings, and health disparities. This course will prepare students to promote, initiate, and evaluate physical activity programs in diverse settings.

SEP 420. Sport Performance Enhancement. 3 Hours.

PR: SEP 272 with a minimum grade of C- and Junior or Senior standing. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the educational and performance enhancement techniques utilized to enhance sport performance within the field of sport and exercise psychology. Major emphasis will be placed upon ethical practice within the field, learning common sport psychology techniques, how and when to utilize these techniques.

SEP 425. Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury. 3 Hours.

PR: PSYC 101 or SEP 272 with a minimum grade of C- and Junior or Senior standing. This upper level course involves the study of various topics related to the psychological aspects of sport injury. In general this course will examine issues associated with the onset, treatment and rehabilitation of sport injury.

SEP 430. Cross Cultural Perspectives in Sport Psychology. 3 Hours.

Faculty led study abroad course associated with travel to a foreign country at student’s expense. Students on the trip are exposed to foreign culture, landmarks, and sport facilities while meeting and interacting with sport-science professionals. The course prepares students for the travel experience and allows them to reflect upon it after returning.

SEP 474. Sport Studies Research Methods. 3 Hours.

PR: SEP 272 and STAT 211 with a minimum grade of C-, Junior or Senior standing, and instructor approval only. An analysis of descriptive and experimental research in sport psychology and sport management. Course requirements include completion of capstone research project.

SEP 490. Teaching Practicum. 1-3 Hours.

PR: Consent. Teaching practice as a tutor or assistant.

SEP 491. Professional Field Experience. 1-18 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.

SEP 492. Directed Study. 1-3 Hours.

Directed study, reading, and/or research.

SEP 493. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.

PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.

SEP 494. Seminar. 1-3 Hours.

PR: Consent. Presentation and discussion of topics of mutual concern to students and faculty.

SEP 495. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours.

Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings.

SEP 496. Senior Thesis. 1-3 Hours.

PR: Consent.

SEP 498. Honors. 1-3 Hours.

PR: Students in Honors Program and consent by the honors director. Independent reading, study or research.

  • School of Counseling and Well-​being
  • School of Education
  • School of Sport Sciences
    • Coaching and Performance Science
    • Physical Education and Kinesiology
    • Sport and Exercise Psychology
    • Sport Management
  • Multidisciplinary Studies

WVU Morgantown

Undergraduate Catalog Information

  • Academic Standards
  • Admissions
  • Advising, Enrollment and Grades
  • Calendar
  • Co-​Curricular Programs
  • Degree Regulations
  • FERPA
  • Financial Aid
  • Minors
  • Programs, Courses and Credits
  • Tuition, Fees and Residency
  • Undergraduate Certificates
  • Veterans

Office of the University Registrar
P.O. Box 6878
Morgantown, WV 26506
Email: registrar@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: 304-293-5355

  • Accreditations
  • Web Standards
  • Questions or Comments?

© 2022-2023 West Virginia University. WVU is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer — Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran.

  • A-Z Site Index
  • Campus Map
  • WVU Careers
  • Directory
  • Give
  • MountaineerTRAK
  • WVU Alert
  • WVU Today
  • WVU Portal
  • WVU on Facebook
  • WVU on Twitter
  • WVU on YouTube

The information on this page is subject to change without notice. Disclaimer

Print Options

  • Send Page to Printer

    Print this page.

  • Download Page (PDF)

    The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

  • Download Complete 2021-22 PDF Catalogs

    • WVU Morgantown - Graduate/Professional
    • WVU Morgantown - Undergraduate
    • WVU Keyser - Potomac State College
    • WVU Beckley - WVU Tech
    • WVU Morgantown - Law

    Download 2021-22 PDF Courses Catalogs

    • WVU Morgantown - Graduate/Professional Courses
    • WVU Morgantown - Undergraduate Courses
    • WVU Keyser - Potomac State College Courses
    • WVU Beckley - WVU Tech Courses

Print Options

  • Send Page to Printer

    Print this page.

  • Download PDF of this page

    The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

  • Download Complete 2020-21 PDF Catalogs

    • WVU Morgantown - Graduate/Professional
    • WVU Morgantown - Undergraduate
    • WVU Keyser - Potomac State College
    • WVU Beckley - WVU Tech
    • WVU Morgantown - Law

    Download 2020-21 PDF Courses Catalogs

    • WVU Morgantown - Graduate/Professional Courses
    • WVU Morgantown - Undergraduate Courses
    • WVU Keyser - Potomac State College Courses
    • WVU Beckley - WVU Tech Courses