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College of Applied Human Sciences: School of Sport Sciences

Physical Education and Kinesiology, BS

Physical educators make an impact on the health, well-being and quality of life of future generations. Our program prepares students to teach, motivate and shape the lives of Pre-K through adult learners in physical education, movement, wellness and sport-based environments.

Physical Education and Kinesiology (PEK) students learn to use and integrate technology into their classwork, gain hands-on, real-world experience and learn how to design and deliver physical education programs.

Upon program completion, graduates are eligible for certification in PreK-adult Physical Education and may pursue a certification in Health Education. Program graduates are physical activity and wellness leaders in their school, communities and states who promote healthy, active lifestyles for children and adults alike.

WVU is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) at WVU is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards. CAEP is the only recognized national accreditor for educator preparation. The Physical Education specialty licensure area offered at our EPP has been approved by the Society for Health and Physical Educators.

Save time and money — and boost your credentials — with our four-year Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Meet Your Community Places and Spaces Frequently Asked Questions Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Students playing a game with Frisbees and rings on the Rec Fields

Learn how to design and deliver physical education programs, how to use and integrate technology into your classwork and get hands-on, real-world experience. Graduates are eligible for certification in Pre-K-Adult Physical Education and Health Education.

Core courses focus on principles of effective teaching, school-based physical activity and fitness education, adapted physical education, curriculum, teaching team and individual sports, and technology in sport and physical education. PEK students also take general education courses (GEF) in communication, basic math and science, English, social sciences and humanities.

Foundation Coursework
The PEK foundation courses provide an introductory understanding of human structure and movement, motor skills development across a life span and characteristics of individuals with disabilities. These concepts and principles serve as the building blocks for designing and delivering developmentally appropriate movement-based learning experiences for individuals of any age and ability.

Professional Coursework
Prepare for a career in physical education with a new perspective on what quality physical education entails. Students enjoy hands-on opportunities working with Pre-K through adult-aged learners in movement, physical activity, sport and physical education settings. Through these experiences, students learn what it takes to be an effective teacher and instruct using research-based curricular and instructional models to motivate learners to be physically active and fit for a lifetime.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:

  • PET 349:
    Health-Optimizing Physical Education

    Introduction to the foundations and components of health-related fitness, appropriate curriculum for K-12 programming, effective teaching principles and assessment of physical activity and fitness.

  • PET 350:
    Teaching Primary Physical Education

    Students are introduced to the unique needs and characteristics of young children while getting hands-on experience creating developmentally appropriate practices, developing effective teaching practices, and learning important observation and assessment skills.

  • PET 441:
    Technology in Physical Education

    Students introduced to technology literacy with a focus on the effective use of technology in physical education settings. Application of technologies related to professional development, advocacy, planning and instruction, and assessment of student learning.

  • PET 477:
    Adapted Physical Education Practicum

    A supervised practice teaching experience providing adapted physical education to children with special needs.

  • PET 488:
    Student Teaching: Secondary Physical Education

    Gain practical experience teaching physical education in secondary school settings.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Physical Education Teaching

    Required courses:

    • PET 487 - Student Teaching: Elementary K-5 Physical Education
    • PET 488 - Student Teaching: Secondary Physical Education
    • PET 489 - Student Teaching Seminar

  • Sport Pedagogy

    Required courses:

    • PASS 300 - Career Exploration in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
    • PASS 489 - Capstone Experience in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Accelerated Program

    Physical Education and Kinesiology offers the option to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in an accelerated time frame.

    Accelerated Program Details

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Gain hands-on teaching experience with students with a variety of disabilities and special needs.
  • Participate in and learn to teach outdoor adventure, lifetime leisure and team and individual sports and activities.
  • Our PEK majors have posted a 100% passage rate on the Physical Education Content Specialization test during the past five years. More than 160 students have taken the PRAXIS II test.
  • 125+ contact hours prior to student teaching.
  • Students spend a full semester teaching PE in the K-12 school setting or physical activity/sport programming in the community sector.
  • PEK majors take classes with the same cohort of students, which fosters a professional learning community.
  • Field placements available across the developmental spectrum (from pre-school to college students).
  • Students design movement education programming for children from a local day care facility.
  • WVU is a national leader in teaching current and emerging educational technologies.
  • One of eight nationally accredited physical education programs in West Virginia.
  • Nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and SHAPE America.
  • Accelerated bachelor's to master's option (earn both degrees in four years).
  • The WVU School of Sport Sciences was recognized as one of the best in the country by Newsweek.
Scholarships

90% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2020-2021).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Research

  • In their Technology in Physical Education course, our majors plan, implement and evaluate an action research project that requires the application of an instructional technology in a field-based setting. This project prepares them to achieve the state, national and international standards supporting the use of technology in school settings.
  • During their student teaching placements, all majors complete an extensive self-study regarding their instructional planning, classroom management, teaching effectiveness and assessment of student learning. These project outcomes are used to meet state teaching licensure requirements.

Hands-on Learning

  • Prior to their student teaching, majors accumulate more than 125 hours of teaching experience working with learners across a range of developmental levels including early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary and college/university.
  • As a part of those pre-student teaching clinical hours, our majors acquire multiple semesters of experience teaching individuals with special needs in our community-based Adapted Physical Education Practicum (APE) program. In this setting, we focus on differentiating instruction to meet the individual needs of the learner.

During their student teaching, each major is paired with an inservice teacher and University faculty member to help navigate the many opportunities and challenges related to their transition to a full-time teaching position in the K-12 schools. This transformative process affords the opportunity to teach across at least two different school contexts (elementary, middle or high school) while gaining more than 500 hours of additional teaching experience.

Attending college will prepare you for many things. The Physical Education and Kinesiology major will give you the following skills:

  • Leadership: Influencing or guiding others in their decision-making and action.
  • Strategic Planning: Identifying outcomes and strategizing how to accomplish them.
  • Collaboration: Engaging with others to accomplish individual and organizational goals.
  • Fluency of Ideas: Generating a number of creative ideas about a topic or issue.
  • Problem Sensitivity and Solving: Telling when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong and solving those problems using flexible approaches.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary School

Plan, direct or coordinate the academic, administrative or auxiliary activities of public or private elementary or secondary level schools.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $101,320

Possible job titles include: Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, Principal, Superintendent.

Explore Career

Health Education Specialists

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Collect and analyze data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies and environments. May serve as a resource to assist individuals, other healthcare workers or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $60,600

Possible job titles include: Clinical Instructor, Health Educator, Health Promotion Specialist, Public Health Educator.

Explore Career

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $66,930

Possible job titles include: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Education Professor, Professor.

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Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $72,650

Possible job titles include: Coach, Professor, Health and Physical Education Professor (HPE Professor), Physical Education Professor (PE Professor).

Explore Career

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Teach students basic academic, social and other formative skills in public or private schools at the elementary level.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $61,690

Possible job titles include: Classroom Teacher, Elementary Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher, Teacher.

Explore Career

Middle School Teachers

Teach students in one or more subjects in public or private schools at the middle, intermediate or junior high level, which falls between elementary and senior high school as defined by applicable laws and regulations.

Median Salary: $61,810

Possible job titles include: Language Arts Teacher, Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Science Teacher, Teacher.

Explore Career

Secondary School Teachers

Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics or social studies, at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.

Median Salary: $62,360

Possible job titles include: English Teacher, Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Social Studies Teacher, Teacher.

Explore Career

Adapted Physical Education Specialists

Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.

Median Salary: $63,950

Possible job titles include: Adapted Physical Education or Adapted Physical Activity Specialist, Adapted Physical Education Specialist, Adapted Physical Education Specialist-Workshop Leader, Adapted Physical Education Teacher.

Explore Career

Where our grads are working

The majority of our graduates pursue careers in K-12 school settings and have been successful in starting their careers in districts across the country, including:

  • Florida: Duval County
  • Ohio: Franklin and Cuyahoga counties
  • Maryland: Baltimore and Frederick counties
  • New Jersey: Middlesex County
  • Virginia: Fairfax and Prince William counties
  • North Carolina: Mecklenburg County

We take particular pride in the number of alumni who have continued on to become school leaders in our West Virginia communities as well, such as Harrison, Kanawha, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Raleigh, Taylor and Wood counties.

Meet Your Community

The Physical Education and Kinesiology family will inspire and support you.

  • If you care about people and believe everyone can be helped, then this is the perfect major.

    “I chose to pursue PETE because I used to be a Nursing major, but found my passion to be the education of others. I see PETE as a way for myself to learn more about my passion for public health while also exploring the pedagogical concepts of what it means to teach individuals of all levels of understanding. If you care about people and believe everyone can be helped, then this is the perfect major.”
    Portrait of Cody Fisher.
    Cody Q. Fisher

  • WVU had the program route that I was looking for and has that small town, tight knit, community feeling.

    “My experience at WVU thus far has been unbelievable to say the least! I have made many friends, learned many things and have participated in so many fun activities! Each experience has been fun, educational and has helped me to grow into the person that I am today. I chose WVU because I have lived here all of my life and love this state. WVU has always been an esteemed university, and I always knew I would go there one day. WVU had the program route that I was looking for and has that small town, tight knit, community feeling! I chose to go into PETE because I am a physically active person and want to become a physical education teacher. I love working with and teaching anything that involves movement, whether it be kayaking, hiking, baseball, football or basketball. I also want to give back to the youth that I will teach in the future, and give them the skills to become and stay physically active, and have fun while doing it.”
    Photo of Avery West.
    Avery West
  • Photo of smiling man with glasses and a beard. He's wearing a light-colored shirt, dark tie and dark suit jacket.

    Sean Bulger

    Professional highlights:

    • Received the 2016 Ray O. Duncan Award from the state HPERD association for outstanding service and leadership.
    • Co-authored more than 70 books, chapters, and journal articles on physical activity promotion and best teaching practices.
    • Collaborated on over $6 million in external funding to support physical activity in school, community, and family settings.
    • Delivered over 130 presentations at state, regional, and national conferences/conventions.
  • Studio portrait of smiling woman with long blond hair.

    Eloise Elliott

    Professional highlights:

    • Ware Distinguished Professor in the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences since 2009
    • Co-Author of the book, Teaching Children and Adolescents Physical Education (Graham, Elliott, Palmer, 2016)
    • Recent Honors: Research Fellow, Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America (2017), Outstanding WVU CPASS Grantsperson Award (2019), Chair, U.S. President’s Council for Fitness, Sport, and Nutrition Science Board (2017)
  • Photo of Samantha Ross standing outdoors on campus.

    Samantha Ross

    Professional highlights:

    • Research emphasis: The impact of disability on participation in community-based physical activity across the life span
    • American Kinesiology Association, National Writing Award 2018
    • Recipient of U.S. Department of Education Graduate Training Grant, OSU Leadership Personnel in Adapted Physical Education (PI: Yun), 2016-2019.
  • Portrait of smiling woman with shoulder-length hair and wearing a dark suit jacket.

    Andrea Taliaferro

    Professional highlights:

    • Outstanding Alumni Award, James Madison University Department of Kinesiology, 2022
    • James and Karen Caveney Alumni Association Faculty Excellence Award, WVU, 2021
    • Vice President, National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities, 2019-2021; Board Member-At-Large, 2021-present
    • WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching, 2019
    • APENS Certified Adapted Physical Educator, National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities
  • Professional studio portrait of Emi Tsuda.

    Emi Tsuda

    Professional highlights:

    • Research emphasis on teachers' content knowledge, motor skills and physical activity engagement, and policy in physical education.
    • Teaches classes in introductory of pedagogy and elementary and early childhood physical education methods.
    • Has conducted 35 international and national presentations.
  • Photo of smiling man wearing a blue shirt, striped WVU tie and a dark suit jacket.

    Jeremy Yeats

    Professional highlights:

    • Program Coordinator for Physical Education and Kinesiology, CPASS
    • Research emphases in education policy, the use of music in sport, physical activity breaks and social justice
    • Seven years experience as a Teaching Assistant Professor or Assistant Professor
  • Professional portrait of James Wyant. He is smiling and wearing a black shirt.

    James Wyant

    Professional highlights:

    • WVU Teacher of the Year Award, and CPASS award for excellence in teaching for the 2018-2019 academic year.
    • WV Department of Education Teacher Credentials: Physical Education PreK-Adult, Health Education grades 5-12.
    • Coordinator of the physical education teacher education student teaching capstone experience.

  • The faculty always went above and beyond to ensure that every student succeeds. When I was preparing with Praxis, the professors offered tutoring sessions to help me reach the scores required.

    Photo of Kendall Keplinger in a dark blue WVU graduation gown.
    Kendall Keplinger
    “Attending WVU for a Master's of Physical Education and Kinesiology degree (PETE) has been one of the best choices I could make when selecting universities. Not only do you meet new people, they become like family. The faculty always went above and beyond to ensure that every student succeeds. When I was preparing with Praxis, the professors offered tutoring sessions to help me reach the scores required. With this major, they gave me all the proper tools to be able to teach K-12 along with many learning opportunities throughout the semesters. The proof is that they helped me gain a full-time job by the end of my final semester. PETE has opened doors of meeting foreign exchange students and being able to learn about their culture and attend some fun soccer and baseball games making wonderful memories and lifelong friends! I would highly suggest anyone who is interested in Physical Education to take this major and see what doors they can open for you.”

  • Without the knowledge and experience that I gained from the PETE faculty, I would not be in this position at my dream school.

    Kenna Markham
     BS, Physical Education and Kinesiology; MS, Physical Education Teacher Education
    “My administration at The Villages Charter School in the Villages, Florida, has given me the task of developing all of our high school physical education and health curriculum for the future use of all teachers in the upcoming years. Classes include Freshmen Health and Physical Education, Weight Training and Team Sports! I am extremely grateful for all that the professors in the Physical Education Teacher Education program taught me. Without the knowledge and experience that I gained from all of them, I would not be in this position at my dream school.”

  • The faculty and staff have continued to play a major role in my development well after graduation. I cannot thank these individuals enough for the impact they have made on my life and career.

    Tanner Robison
     BS, Physical Education and Health
    “I would not be where I am today without the experiences provided to me while in the PETE program at WVU. Starting my career as an Adapted Physical Education teacher, transitioning into general physical education and then administration, my time at WVU prepared and set me up to have the success I am seeing today. Most importantly, the faculty and staff have continued to play a major role in my development well after graduation. I cannot thank these individuals enough for the impact they have made on my life and career.”

    • FAQs

    Common questions and answers about Physical Education and Kinesiology.

    1. Students who earn their BS in Physical Education and Kinesiology through the licensure-track receive recommendation for PK-Adult teaching certification in West Virginia. Information about the initial teacher certification process can be found at the West Virginia Department of Education website.

    2. WVU is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) at WVU is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards. CAEP is the only recognized national accreditor for educator preparation. The Physical Education specialty licensure area offered at our EPP has been approved by the Society for Health and Physical Educators.

    3. As an approved initial teaching licensure program within West Virginia, the course requirements are generally transferable to other states. We do encourage students to check the specific requirements in the states where they would like to work, as other aspects of the process (e.g., standardized tests and scores) may vary.

    4. There is detailed information available about institutional and college scholarships. Furthermore, we encourage all interested students to speak with a financial aid counselor at the WVU Hub early in the application process.

    5. The WVU College of Applied Human Sciences remains deeply committed to student success. All majors are assigned a professional academic adviser with whom they will interact with on a regular basis. These interactions focus on a range of important support services, including degree planning and course selection, development of study skills and career preparation. In addition, these advising specialists help to keep students connected to the various supports offered across campus.

    Places and Spaces

    Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

    Featurette Thumbnail - Active Learning Center

    Steelcase Active Learning Center

    The Steelcase Active Learning Center features flexible workspaces designed for collaborative learning and problem-solving. The physical space supports the use of mobile devices, distance learning technologies and other interactive features to facilitate a more fluid teaching and learning environment for both students and instructors. This unique classroom space serves as an ideal setting for the types of collaborative learning activities that our majors engage in across their plans of study.

    Explore the Steelcase Active Learning Center
    Student Recreation Center

    Student Recreation Center

    Our majors take several courses that focus on learning to teach a wide range of individual and team sports and activities. The WVU Campus Rec Center provides the backdrop for these important courses, with its state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor activity spaces (e.g., fitness center and weight room, gymnasiums, aquatics facility, climbing wall, disc golf course, playing fields). Learning in these spaces affords the opportunity to learn to teach a wide variety of content areas that are commonly included in the K-12 school physical education curriculum.

    Explore the Student Recreation Center
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    Admission Requirements

    To be admitted to WVU's Physical Education and Kinesiology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

    Tuition and Aid

    How much does Physical Education and Kinesiology at WVU cost? And how can you save?

    Tuition and Fees

    Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

    View Tuition and Fees

    Scholarships

    Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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    Net Price Calculator

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    Ways to Save

    Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

    Financial Aid

    The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Physical Education and Kinesiology major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

    How to Complete the FAFSA

    Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

    As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Physical Education and Kinesiology can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

    Learn More

    Start at Another WVU Campus

    In addition to our transfer articulation agreements, you can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

    Transfer Articulation Agreements

    To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

    Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

    Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

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