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 & 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 or higher required. | ||
| 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.
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.