Master of Science in Sport Studies (M.S.)

Program Overview

The main objective of this program is to provide students with a Masters-level education in Sports Studies with an emphasis in General Health and Wellness as well as Strength and Conditioning. West Virginia State University will provide students with the cognitive and psychomotor skills necessary to achieve self-actualization while extending what they have learned in the “living laboratory of human relations” well beyond the lawns of the university campus.

Additionally, the Master of Science in Sports Studies Program will afford students opportunity to actively engage in applied research and to study innovative coaching, training, managing, teaching and safety education. This will lead the students towards a life of productive and meaningful work, lifelong learning, and economical contribution to their surrounding communities and state. Under the graduate program, West Virginia State University will produce graduates well prepared to continue or gain state and national certification through athletic coaching credentialing agencies, sports science credentialing agencies and sport safety credentialing agencies. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills to be poised and ready for advancement into management and leadership roles in their current respective fields. In addition to moving forward in their current career, the graduates from a Master of Science in Sports Studies will be attractive to public and private school systems, university systems, wellness facilities, and general fitness companies as employees. These highly educated and knowledgeable graduates will continue to serve our surrounding communities.

Lastly, yet perhaps most importantly, West Virginia State University is a historically black university, and, hence, has always had a mission to educate minorities and other underrepresented population. Learning opportunities are embedded in environments that expose students to diversity and cultural differences. The diverse environment is beneficial to students seeking a graduate degree in sports studies as they strive for employment in the diverse and expanding sport industries.

The MS in Sport Studies program further develops the professional knowledge skills and dispositions of Sport Studies candidates so that they may demonstrate the following programmatic objectives based on the NASPE National Standards for Athletic Coaches:

1. Demonstrate coaches as a role model to athletes of all ages and diversities through study and practice of Sport Philosophy, law, ethics, teaching and proper writing and accurate oral communication skills.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of human growth and development from birth – death, kinesthetic learning theories and tactics and current coaching and training trends by planning physiologically and biomechanically correct practice and conditioning sessions that allow for proper progression of skill and that are safe and minimize the risk of injury.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and skill for understanding diverse athletic population and accommodating different learning styles and physical skill by planning, coaching and evaluating athletic performance and progression that include modifications that address these issues.
4. Exhibit knowledge of and abilities to create responsible and effective communities of sport learning and understanding by developing leadership and management frameworks that include criteria with specific attention to respect for other athletes, respect for the sport game, appreciation of diverse cultures, rules, abilities and talents, and awareness of the need for communication.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of and the psychomotor skill needed to perform proper fitness testing and assessment data analysis to afford the fitness community the optimal results based on their desired fitness goals.
6. Demonstrate the appropriate use of technology required in the discipline of exercise science and athletic coaching
7. Exhibit knowledge of what it means to be a member of the coaching/Athletic profession by demonstrating ethical practice within the profession, demonstrating proper oral and written communication skills, engaging in research within the profession, following professional performance regulations and participating in continual education to uphold the commitment to life-long learning