College of Physical Activity
and Sport Sciences

Physical Education and Kinesiology (PEK)

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

Students in the PEK program 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. 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 through Fall 2021. 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.

What our alumni have to say:

"The WVU PETE program involved us in all aspects of teaching from content knowledge to professional development. When you complete the program you are immediately ready to get out into the real world and will have no surprises."

Melissa B.

B.S. PETE, 2011
“The program also has an excellent student to professor ratio due to the small cohorts, which allows for a comfortable, family atmosphere. These small cohorts also allow you to build relationships, network, and collaborate with other future professional educators in your field of study.”

Daniel L.

B.S. PETE, 2011
"The PETE program provides numerous student teaching experiences, consist's of unique yet meaningful courses and includes a classroom health component, all of which made me more marketable and helped me to achieve my dream career!"

Justin I.

B.S. PETE, 2011

Coursework

What you'll study

Students are exposed to the core courses such as 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 courses

The PEK foundation courses provide an introductory understanding of human structure and movement, motor skills development across a lifespan, 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 courses

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.

Student teaching internship

Students are required to complete a two 7-week student teaching internships at two developmental levels (elementary, middle school and/or high school). Placement support is available through the physical education faculty.

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's program

The newly developed Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s program in PEK gives undergraduate students the opportunity to work toward both a B.S. and M.S. degree simultaneously. This accelerated approach makes graduate study more cost-effective. With the addition of two summer sessions, students can earn both degrees within four years. The benefits include tuition savings, improved marketability, enhanced networking opportunities and the potential for a higher starting salary.

Find out more

Program faculty

Who you'll learn from

Andrea Taliaferro
Professional Highlights
- Research interests include minimizing health disparities for individuals with disabilities through the improvement of inclusive physical activity opportunities in school- and community-based settings.
- West Virginia University 2019 Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching
- APENS Certified Adapted Physical Educator, National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities
- Vice President - National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (2019-2021)
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
- Teacher of the Year Award, WVU, 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.
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
Samantha Ross
Professional Highlights
- Research emphasis: The impact of disability on participation in community-based physical activity across the lifespan
- 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.
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 60 books, chapters and journal articles on physical activity promotion and best teaching practices.
- Collaborated on over $5 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.

Beyond The Classroom

Field Experiences and Research

Community

Students design movement education programming for early childhood and preschool age children from a local day care facility.

School-based Field Experiences

Watch and learn teaching theories and principles in the field. WVU’s PEK program partners with local schools to provide more than 100 hours of hands-on experience which students complete throughout their plan of study.

Diverse Learners

Children with various disabilities and special needs visit the WVU campus each Friday for 10 weeks to interact and engage in developmentally appropriate physical activities in the motor skill and aquatic settings. PEK students serve as teachers who plan and implement lessons and activities for these learners.

Technology Action Based Research Projects

During the BIP placement at the university, students integrate different educational technologies into their PE units and, with assistance from faculty, assess and report the impact of this technology on student learning.

Career Preparation

After Graduation

Commonly sought research focuses among alumni

Designing and implementing comprehensive school physical activity programs
Evidence based curricular and instructional models in physical education and sport
Physical activity programming for school-aged children with special needs
Instructional technology and its place in the gymnasium, classroom, and sports arena
Physical activity and youth sport

Example employers and job titles of graduates

Craig G. - Physical Education teacher, Washington, D.C.
Jack W. - Physical Education teacher, Arizona
Kelyn E. - Physical Education teacher, Delaware
Christopher R. - Physical Education teacher, West Virginia
Scott T. - College Professor, North Carolina
Jesse R. - Special Education teacher, West Virginia
Zach B. - Strength & Conditioning coach, Florida
Brooke S. - Health and Physical Education Curriculum Specialist, Texas
Tim S. - University-level Track and Field coach, North Carolina
Jordyn F. - Physical Education teacher, New Jersey

How To Apply

The Admission Process

How to apply

Apply online at the WVU Undergraduate Admissions website.

Prerequisites and requirements

Over the course of the 4-years in this major, there are 3 benchmarks that must be met for teaching licensure. These benchmarks can be reviewed here: catalog.wvu.edu

Possible exemptions from the PRAXIS CORE may be available base on ACT and SAT scores. Visit https://www.ets.org/praxis/wv/requirements/ for details. Click on the "Praxis core academic skills for educators (core)" tab.

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