Majors, Minors and Certificates

The minor in Addiction Studies prepares addiction professionals for employment in substance use disorder treatment, and related settings, to help combat the addiction crisis in West Virginia and across the nation.

The minor in Adventure Sports Leadership is designed for students interested in outdoor, activity-based engagement. Students will learn and practice first aid, navigation, survival and risk management skills and experientially explore adventure sports of their choosing from a range of possibilities. This minor is an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and experiences desired in the adventure sports industry.

This minor prepares individuals to work with children and their families in a variety of professional settings. Students will concentrate on courses that address topics, such as the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of children as facilitated by families, educators, child care professionals and others.

Students collaborate with and learn from experts in the disability field including pediatric neurologists, geneticists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, special education leaders, social workers, physical and occupational therapists and others. This minor can augment studies in a wide range of academic majors or serve as an area of emphasis in the Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) program.

The Diversity in Physical Activity and Sport minor is designed for students wanting to extend their exploration of physical activity and sport as sites for understanding issues of diversity and social justice and further examine the vital role of diversity in one's personal and professional life. Students may select courses spanning topics of race and ethnicity, gender, disability, socioeconomic status and more in both national and global contexts. This minor is appropriate for any student pursuing a career in physical activity, sport or related industry.

Early childhood intervention is a support and educational system for very young children who have been victims of, or who are at high risk for child abuse and/or neglect. The mission of early childhood intervention is to assure that families who have young at-risk children receive resources and support that assist them in maximizing their children’s physical, cognitive and social/emotional development while respecting the diversity of families and communities.

Learn all aspects about one of the fastest growing sports in the world in this innovative academic offering. This minor includes classes from the College of Applied Human Sciences, the John Chambers College of Business and Economics and the Reed College of Media.

The family and youth minor will prepare individuals to work with families and young people. Students will concentrate on courses that address topics, such as the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of youth as facilitated by families, educators, childcare professionals and others.

The Health Coaching minor is designed for students desiring a career in health and well-being. Students learn the foundations of behavior-change science and the theoretical and practical considerations for empowering clients to adopt and sustain healthy lifestyles. Students completing the minor are prepared to sit for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) national certification exam required to become an ACE Certified Health Coach.

A minor in human services meets the increasing need of public and private sector employers for paraprofessionals. Students who complete a minor in human services may be employed through public agencies, hospitals, government-sponsored housing or clinics, and some criminal justice offices. Graduates will be prepared to work in social services, mental health and substance abuse agencies, or in other related positions under the guidance of counselors, psychologists, nurses and social workers.

This minor prepares individuals to work with infants and toddlers in a variety of professional settings. Students will concentrate on courses that address topics, such as the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of infants and toddlers, as facilitated by families, educators, childcare professionals and others.

The Personal Training and Group Fitness minor is designed for students desiring a career in health and well-being. Students are trained to evaluate fitness abilities and develop exercise programs across individual and group settings to satisfy client goals. Students will be prepared to sit for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) national certification exam required to become an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and/or an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor.

The Physical Training and Performance minor is designed for students interested in strength and conditioning. The minor provides students with an understanding of the theoretical and practical considerations associated with physical training (e.g., speed, agility, strength, endurance, flexibility, power) for improved athletic performance, fitness and wellness.

The Special Education minor helps prepare students to work with children and adolescents with mild/moderate disabilities including learning disabilities, emotional/behavior disorders and intellectual disabilities. Students are introduced to basic principles and practices that support high quality educational programming and services in special education settings.

The Sport and Exercise Psychology minor is designed for students to explore the various mental factors that affect both performance and health outcomes in sport and exercise settings. Students in this minor have an opportunity to engage in self-exploration as well as learn the sport and exercise psychology basics that complement the work of other professions, such as coaching, fitness, wellness, military, law and medicine.

The Sport Coaching minor is designed for students to learn the theoretical foundations and best practices of effective sport coaching. The minor prepares future coaches to make decisions in developing, implementing and evaluating sport programs consistent with their athletes' competitive and developmental levels.

The sport business industry is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the U.S., generating billions of dollars each year. The sport communication minor can prepare you for a career in this exciting field. Students will gain a foundational understanding in media writing, public relations and strategic communications, as well as an understanding of the issues affecting professional and collegiate sports today.