West Virginia University offers a Ph.D. in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology through its College of Applied Human Sciences, with an optional concurrent Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s, plus a separate online Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology. WVU holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and is a public research university located in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Founded in 1867 as the Agricultural College of West Virginia, WVU has grown into a research university enrolling nearly 30,000 students, including more than 5,000 graduate and doctoral students. The university’s psychology-related offerings are centered in its School of Sport Sciences, part of the College of Applied Human Sciences, which houses both an in-person doctoral program and a separate online master’s option. It’s one of several psychology programs across West Virginia worth considering for graduate study.
Accreditation Details
West Virginia University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which reviews the university’s academic programs, including its online offerings, on a recurring cycle. The university’s teacher education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Prospective students interested in the Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology programs should confirm current programmatic accreditation status directly with the College of Applied Human Sciences, School of Sport Sciences, since the accrediting landscape for this field has changed in recent years.
Application Requirements
All applicants to WVU’s graduate programs must hold an undergraduate degree and submit official transcripts showing their coursework and grade point average. The Ph.D. in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, housed in the School of Sport Sciences, requires GRE scores and two professional letters of recommendation. WVU’s official admissions materials do not list a general interview requirement for this program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
WVU sets tuition rates by college and department rather than a single university-wide rate, so per-credit costs for psychology-related programs can differ from those of other departments on campus. Prospective students should confirm current in-state and out-of-state per-credit and per-semester costs directly with the School of Sport Sciences before applying. All graduate students seeking aid must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal grants and loans.
Psychology Programs at West Virginia University
Ph.D. in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
WVU’s Ph.D. in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology is a primarily in-person doctoral program with residency requirements, housed in the School of Sport Sciences within the College of Applied Human Sciences. The program trains students to work with athletes and physically active populations through coursework and applied experience in the psychological aspects of sport, exercise, and performance. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in a health or social science field, GRE scores, and two letters of recommendation. Students may also pursue a concurrent Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree alongside the doctoral program. Prospective applicants comparing options can review other sports psychology PhD programs across the country. Coursework includes:
- Exercise and Health Psychology
- Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury
- Counseling College Athletes
Online Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology
WVU also offers a separate online Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology for students who want graduate-level training without relocating to campus. This program operates independently of the in-person Ph.D. and does not carry the same residency requirements. Students complete a thesis examining a topic in sport or performance psychology as part of the degree requirements.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.