Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Psychology

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, as a liberal arts program, the primary mission of the undergraduate major in sport and exercise psychology is to prepare students for graduate studies in sport and exercise psychology, counseling, public health, and many other disciplines. First, it is the only major of its kind in the state of West Virginia, and one of the few undergraduate programs in that nation that allows students to specialize in sport and exercise psychology or sport sociology. Second, the curriculum contains a number of exciting and innovative courses, such as the Social Psychology of Sport, Performance Enhancement, Exercise Psychology, the Psychology of Injury, and the African American in Sport. Several of the courses in the curriculum can be used to meet General Education Curriculum requirements. Third, through our major’s club, students will interact with graduate students in our highly acclaimed doctoral program, meet leading professionals in the field, help organize conferences and participate in other student-centered professional and social activities. Major Learning Goals 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 - Students will demonstrate knowledge and disciplinary concepts related to sport and exercise psychology. Reflection and Critical Thinking - Students will demonstrate reflection and critical thinking in order to refine professional knowledge and practice. Programming and Assessment - Students will demonstrate evidence-based knowledge and skills (and best practices) for assessing student needs and for designing, implementing and evaluating performance across domains. Professionalism and Ethics - Students will demonstrate professional behaviors, including commitment to excellence, valuing diversity and collaboration, service to others, techniques for lifelong learning, and will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to allow them to be successful with regard to applying to graduate school to help advance their careers. Technology - Students will be able to demonstrate the use of different forms of technology to assess skills and provide meaningful feedback. Career Profile Although sport and exercise psychology is a recent field, many exciting job opportunities exist. The media has highlighted how sport psychologists have worked with professional athletes, Olympic-level athletes or prominent college athletes. However, only a few sport psychologists can make a full-time living working with elite athletes. Some professionals in the field work in intercollegiate programs as directors of the CHAMPS/Life Skills programs mandated by the NCAA. These programs are designed to help college athletes develop good study habits, time management skills, career paths and other life skills. Students who specialize in exercise psychology work in hospital wellness centers or physical rehabilitation centers. One area of great interest is how to motivate individuals who sustain sports-related injuries to successfully negotiate the rehabilitation process.