Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science
Nature of the Program
The undergraduate degree in sport and exercise psychology prepares students with foundational knowledge in the scientific study and practical application of the human mind and behavior in sport and exercise contexts. 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 this knowledge area. Students explore the psychological and social factors influencing sport performance 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 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 and exercise 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 and exercise psychology and online masters in sport management in less time. Students wishing to pursue a career directly in the sport and exercise 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
First time students who meet the University admission requirements are directly admitted into the SEP 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).
Admission Requirements 2024-2025
The Admission Requirements above will be the same for the 2024-2025 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.
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 | 53 | |
Sport and Exercise Psychology Program Requirements | 13 | |
Professional and Career Development Common Core | ||
Sport and Exercise 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, 5, 6 and 7 | 15 | |
PASS 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
General Electives | 36 | |
Total Hours | 53 |
Professional and Career Development Common Core
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Common Core * | ||
First-Year Seminar | ||
Career Exploration in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
Capstone Experience in PASS | ||
or SEP 474 | Sport Studies Research Methods |
Sport and Exercise Psychology Program Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BIOL 102 & 102L | General Biology 2 and General Biology 2 Laboratory (GEF 2) | 4 |
PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Sociology (SOC) 200-400 Level Elective | 3 | |
Total Hours | 13 |
Sport and Exercise Psychology Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ACE 256 | Principles and Problems of Coaching | 3 |
PASS 300 | Career Exploration in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences | 3 |
COUN 303 | Introduction to Helping Professions | 3 |
PET 124 | Human Body: Structure and Function | 2 |
PET 125 | Principles of Human Movement | 2 |
PET 175 | Motor Development | 2 |
EXPH 365 | Exercise Physiology 1 | 3 |
PSYC 241 | Introduction to Human Development (GEF 8) | 3 |
PSYC 251 | Introduction to Social Psychology (GEF 8) | 3 |
PSYC 281 | Introduction to Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
Select one of the following (GEF 3): | 3 | |
Understanding Statistics | ||
Algebra with Applications | ||
SEP 271 | Sport in American Society (GEF 8) | 3 |
SEP 272 | Psychological Perspectives of Sport (GEF 4) | 3 |
SEP 383 | Exercise Psychology | 3 |
SEP 385 | Social Psychology of Sport | 3 |
SEP 420 | Sport Performance Enhancement | 3 |
SEP 425 | Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury | 3 |
Select one of the following | 3 | |
Sport Studies Research Methods | ||
Capstone Experience in PASS | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Mindfulness for Health and Well-being | ||
Physical Activity Promotion in Diverse Settings | ||
Cross Cultural Perspectives in Sport Psychology | ||
Special Topics | ||
Total Hours | 54 |
- *
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | BIOL 102 & 102L (GEF 2) | 4 |
PSYC 101 | 3 | SEP 271 or 272 (GEF 8) | 3 |
SEP 272 or 271 (GEF 4) | 3 | GEF 5 | 3 |
GEF 6 | 3 | PET 124 | 2 |
PASS 191 | 2 | ENGL 102 | 3 |
14 | 15 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ACE 256 | 3 | PET 175 | 2 |
PSYC 241 | 3 | GEF 7 | 3 |
PET 125 | 2 | Elective or Minor Course | 9 |
SOC 101 | 3 | PSYC 251 | 3 |
STAT 111 or MATH 124 | 3 | ||
14 | 17 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
COUN 303 | 3 | Elective or Minor Course | 9 |
SEP 383 | 3 | SEP 385 | 3 |
PASS 300 | 3 | EXPH 365 | 3 |
Sociology Elective 200 level | 3 | ||
PSYC 281 | 3 | ||
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
SEP 415 | 3 | SEP 474 | 3 |
SEP 420 | 3 | SEP 425 | 3 |
Elective or Minor Course | 9 | Elective or Minor Course | 9 |
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 | 44 | |
Sport and Exercise Psychology Program Requirements | 13 | |
Sport and Exercise Psychology Major Requirements | 51 | |
Master of Science 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, 3, 5, 6 and 7 | 18 | |
PASS 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
General Electives | 24 | |
Total Hours | 44 |
Sport and Exercise Psychology Program Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BIOL 102 & 102L | General Biology 2 and General Biology 2 Laboratory (GEF 2) | 4 |
PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology * | 3 |
SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Sociology (SOCA) 200-400 Level Elective | 3 | |
Total Hours | 13 |
Sport and Exercise Psychology Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ACE 256 | Principles and Problems of Coaching | 3 |
COUN 303 | Introduction to Helping Professions | 3 |
EXPH 365 | Exercise Physiology 1 | 3 |
PASS 300 | Career Exploration in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences | 3 |
PET 124 | Human Body: Structure and Function | 2 |
PET 125 | Principles of Human Movement | 2 |
PET 175 | Motor Development | 2 |
PSYC 241 | Introduction to Human Development (GEF 8) | 3 |
PSYC 251 | Introduction to Social Psychology (GEF 8) | 3 |
PSYC 281 | Introduction to Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
SEP 271 | Sport in American Society (GEF 8) * | 3 |
SEP 272 | Psychological Perspectives of Sport (GEF 4) * | 3 |
SEP 383 | Exercise Psychology | 3 |
SEP 385 | Social Psychology of Sport | 3 |
SEP 420 | Sport Performance Enhancement | 3 |
SEP 425 | Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Capstone Experience in PASS | ||
Sport Studies Research Methods | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Mindfulness for Health and Well-being | ||
Physical Activity Promotion in Diverse Settings | ||
Cross Cultural Perspectives in Sport Psychology | ||
Special Topics | ||
Total Hours | 51 |
Master of Science in Sport Management Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
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 527 | Legal Issues in Sport Administration | 3 |
SM 575 | Fund-Raising and Development | 3 |
SM 535 | Sport Management Processes | 3 |
SM 546 | Sport Marketing | 3 |
SM 570 | Sport Finance | 3 |
SM 580 | Sociocultural and Ethical Dimensions of Sport | 3 |
SM 540 | International Sport Governance | 3 |
SM 516 | Sport Marketing Research Methods | 3 |
or SM 571 | Interscholastic Sport Organization and Administration | |
SM 590 | Teaching Practicum | 3 |
or SM 578 | Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration | |
SM 586 | Facility Planning and Management | 3 |
Total Hours | 30 |
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | BIOL 102 & 102L (GEF 2) | 4 | ||
PSYC 101 | 3 | SEP 271 or 272 (GEF 8) | 3 | ||
SEP 272 or 271 (GEF 4) | 3 | GEF 5 | 3 | ||
GEF 6 | 3 | PET 124 | 2 | ||
PASS 191 | 2 | ENGL 102 | 3 | ||
14 | 15 | ||||
Second Year | |||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
ACE 256 | 3 | PET 175 | 2 | ||
GEF 3 | 3 | GEF 7 | 3 | ||
PSYC 241 | 3 | Elective or Minor Course | 9 | ||
PET 125 | 2 | PSYC 251 | 3 | ||
SOC 101 | 3 | ||||
14 | 17 | ||||
Third Year | |||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
COUN 303 | 3 | EXPH 365 | 3 | SM 535 | 3 |
SEP 383 | 3 | SEP 385 | 3 | SM 586 | 3 |
PASS 300 | 3 | SM 570 | 3 | ||
Sociology Elective 200-Level | 3 | SM 580 | 3 | ||
PSYC 281 | 3 | Elective or Minor Course | 3 | ||
15 | 15 | 6 | |||
Fourth Year | |||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
SEP 415 | 3 | SEP 474 | 3 | SM 527 | 3 |
SEP 420 | 3 | SEP 425 | 3 | SM 540 | 3 |
SM 516 or 571 | 3 | SM 546 | 3 | ||
SM 590 or 578 | 3 | SM 575 | 3 | ||
Elective or Minor Course | 6 | Elective or Minor Course | 6 | ||
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.