Physical Education and Kinesiology, BS
You’ll gain hands-on experience through real-world teaching opportunities and learn how to design and deliver effective physical education programs. You’ll also explore how to use technology in the classroom to support active learning and engagement.
Upon program completion, you’ll be eligible for certification in PreK–Adult Physical Education and may also pursue certification in Health Education. Graduates become leaders in physical activity and wellness, promoting healthy, active lifestyles for both children and adults in their schools, communities, and across the state.
WVU’s educator preparation programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our Educator Preparation Provider is accredited based on standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the only nationally recognized accreditor for teacher education. The Physical Education licensure program is also approved by the Society for Health and Physical Educators.
Save time and money and boost your credentials with our 4-year Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program.
Your Degree Plan
Build a strong foundation in effective teaching, school-based physical activity, and fitness education. You’ll study adapted physical education, curriculum design, and instruction for both team and individual sports. Courses also explore how to integrate technology into physical education and sport settings. As part of your degree, you’ll also complete general education courses in communication, math, science, English, social sciences, and the humanities.
Foundation Coursework
Understand how the body moves and develops across the lifespan. Foundation courses cover human structure and movement, motor skill development, and the characteristics of individuals with disabilities. These core concepts help you design movement-based learning experiences that meet the needs of learners of all ages and abilities.
Professional Coursework
Prepare for a career in physical education with an understanding of quality instruction. PEK students gain hands-on experience working with Pre-K through adult learners in movement, physical activity, sport, and physical education settings. These experiences help you develop the skills to become an effective teacher, using research-based curricular and instructional models that motivate learners to be active and healthy for life.
Pedagogy Theory and Application
PET 233
Students gain hands-on experience in physical education settings by applying pedagogical theory. The course focuses on assessing, planning, designing, managing, and delivering effective instruction. Students will develop practical skills and effective teaching practices tailored to the needs of diverse learners in physical education.
Technology in Physical Education
PET 441
Introduction 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.
Standards-Based Assessment in Physical Education
PET 445
Students completing this course will acquire the dispositions, knowledge, and performance competencies related to standards-based measurement and evaluation of school-aged children in K-12 physical education.
Adapted Physical Education Practicum
PET 477
A supervised practice teaching experience in adapted physical education.
Residency 2 in Physical Education
PET 488
A final, school-based practice teaching experience in the K-12 setting.
Physical Education Teaching
Required courses:
- PET 488: Residency 2 in Physical Education
- PET 489: Residency 2 Seminar
Sport Pedagogy
Required courses:
- ACE 256: Principles and Problems in Coaching
- ACE 310: Coaching Pedagogy
- CAHS 300: Career Exploration in Applied Human Sciences
- CAHS 489: Capstone Experience in AHS
PEK Accelerated BS/MS Program
Physical Education and Kinesiology offers the option to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in an accelerated time frame.
Honors
Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.
The WVU Difference
What sets this program apart?
- Work with learners across the developmental spectrum, including students with 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 5 years. More than 160 students have taken the PRAXIS II test.
- 125+ contact hours prior to student teaching.
- Students complete an immersive residency experience under the guidance of an experienced educator, spending 2 semesters teaching physical education in the K–12 setting.
- PEK majors take classes with the same cohort of students, which fosters a professional learning community.
- Students design movement education programming for children, adolescents, teens, and young adults in diverse settings.
- WVU is a national leader in teaching current and emerging educational technologies.
- One of the few nationally accredited physical education programs in the state of West Virginia.
- Nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and SHAPE America.
- Accelerated bachelor’s to master’s option (earn both degrees in 4 years).
- The WVU School of Sport Sciences was recently recognized as one of the best in the country by Newsweek.
- The College of Applied Human Sciences awards nearly $500,000 in scholarships to students each year.
Learn by Doing
Get involved outside the classroom.
Research
- In the Technology in Physical Education course, you’ll plan and carry out an action research project that applies instructional technology in a real-world teaching setting. This experience helps you meet state, national, and international standards for using technology in schools.
- During your residency experience, you’ll complete an extensive self-study that focuses on instructional planning, classroom management, teaching effectiveness, and assessing student learning. The results of this project are used to meet state teaching licensure requirements.
Hands-on Learning
- Before your residency experience, PEK majors complete more than 125 hours of hands-on teaching experience with learners across all developmental levels.
- As part of these clinical hours, you’ll also gain experience working with individuals with special needs through our community-based Adapted Physical Education practicum. In this setting, you’ll learn how to differentiate instruction and support each learner’s unique needs.
- 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.
Careers and Outcomes
How does this degree prepare students for a career?
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
May Require Graduate Degree
Median Salary: $72,090
Possible Job Titles: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Education Professor, Professor
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Median Salary: $75,890
Possible Job Titles: Health and Physical Education Professor (HPE Professor), Instructor, Physical Education Professor (PE Professor), Professor
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median Salary: $62,340
Possible Job Titles: Classroom Teacher, Elementary School Teacher, Elementary Teacher, Teacher
Secondary School Teachers
Median Salary: $64,580
Possible Job Titles: English Teacher, Mathematics Instructor (Math Instructor), Social Studies Teacher, Teacher
Middle School Teachers
Median Salary: $62,970
Possible Job Titles: Language Arts Teacher (LA Teacher), Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Science Teacher Teacher
Adapted Physical Education Specialists
May Require Graduate Degree
Median Salary: $67,430
Possible Job Titles: Adapted Physical Education Specialist (APE Specialist), Adapted Physical Education Teacher (Adapted PE Teacher), Adapted Physical Educator, DAPE Specialist (Developmental Adapted Physical Education Specialist)
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
May Require Graduate Degree
Median Salary: $104,070
Possible Job Titles: Elementary Principal, Middle School Principal, Principal, Superintendent
Health Education Specialists
Has a Bright Outlook
Median Salary: $63,000
Possible Job Titles: Clinical Instructor, Health Education Specialist, Health Educator, Public Health Educator
Where our grads work
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.
Further your education
- Master’s in Physical Education or Curriculum and Instruction
Strengthens your expertise in teaching methods, curriculum design, and instructional leadership in physical education. - Master’s in Adapted Physical Education or Special Education
Equips you to teach and support students with diverse needs in inclusive and specialized environments. - Master of Public Health (MPH)
Ideal for roles in health promotion, community wellness, and school-based physical activity initiatives. - Master’s in Educational Leadership
Prepares you for leadership roles in schools, such as department chair, athletic director, or principal. - Master’s in Coaching or Sport Leadership
Focuses on advanced coaching strategies, athlete development, and sport program administration.
Meet Your Community
The Physical Education and Kinesiology family will inspire you.
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.
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)
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.
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.
Xioxioa Zhang
Professional Highlights
- Certified Adapted Physical Activity Educator
- Research emphasis on promoting physical activity and reducing health disparities for individuals with disabilities
- 2023 Recipient of SHAPE America Thomas L. McKenzie Research Award
"This program incorporates hands-on learning to go along with lectures, and the classes are smaller so you can more easily build strong relationships with the faculty and peers."
Tyler Derkotch
"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."
Cody Fisher
"What sets this program apart is how helpful the professors and administration are. They build true professional relationships and networks within the program."
Darius Redman
"I think our program has the best professors, and that really sets us apart from other programs. The professors spend time with us and they truly shaped my time at WVU. I think they are what makes our program stand out amongst others."
Emily Faddis
"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."
Kenna Markham
BS, Physical Education and Kinesiology; MS, Physical Education Teacher Education
"The courses and professors really equip us with the knowledge, resources and experiences that we need to excel in whatever pathway we may choose, especially since this field has a plethora of opportunities to pursue post-graduation."
Anthony Richards II
BS, Physical Education and Kinesiology
"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."
Avery West
BS, Physical Education and Kinesiology
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Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Physical Education and Kinesiology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. 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.
Ways to Save
Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.
Financial Aid
The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Physical Education and Kinesiology, BS is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or 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.
Start at Another WVU Campus
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.
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