Areas of Study
New bachelor's degree
In the 2024-2025 year, we will offer a new bachelor's degree in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-5). For information, contact Lisa Morin, undergraduate program director.
Doctoral Programs
Degrees, Certificates & Minors
This degree prepares students for careers as professionals working in city/county, state and federal agencies, YMCAs, outdoor leadership schools such as Outward Bound and NOLS, camps, environmental centers, college outdoor programs, and other non-profit organizations.
The  Bachelor of Science in Physical Education  students study physical education pedagogy, teaching of sports, motor development, motor learning, exercise science, biomechanics, and health education.
This degree is designed to prepare professionals to develop and implement appropriate educational programs for students with moderate - severe disabilities (i.e. low-incidence disabilities), who are accessing the adapted curriculum.
This degree is designed to prepare professionals to develop and implement appropriate educational programs for students with mild disabilities (i.e. high-incidence disabilities), who are accessing the general education curriculum.
This program prepares students for entry-level positions in the sports industry, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills for careers with professional teams and leagues, intercollegiate athletics, sport facility and event management companies, marketing agencies, and other related businesses.
This program prepares students for careers as working in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry, as well as festival and event planning.
This 30-credit track focuses on best practices and scholarly publications related to teaching students with disabilities in physical education. This research track concludes with an optional student-lead thesis project.
This area focuses  on Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics and prepares graduates for positions as post-doctoral research fellows, university faculty, and/or governmental research officials.
Our doctoral program in Health & Sport Pedagogy equips individuals for academic roles in physical education/kinesiology departments. With a research-centric approach, students engage in empirical studies.
Our 30-credit program offers advanced insights into teaching and learning in health & physical education, emphasizing adapted PE, coaching, and curriculum instruction. Choose from research or practice tracks, culminating in a thesis project or internship.
Our doctoral program in special education equips graduates with the professional research skills to work with school systems to address the diverse learning needs and behavior challenges associated with the education of students with special needs and those students at risk.
This degree equips educators to create tailored curricula for diverse learners. Graduates become adept at addressing educational, emotional, and physical disabilities. Specializations include general curriculum K-12, early childhood special education, and adapted curriculum K-12.
For students pursuing endorsement in special education without a master’s degree, or for those who hold provisional licenses in special education and seek to complete licensure requirements, this licensure option meets Virginia Department of Education certification and endorsement requirements in several key areas.
This area focuses on research issues related to the administration of sport and recreation organizations. Graduates are prepared for careers as faculty or administrators in higher education, private organizations, public agencies, and/or other research-based institutions.
This graduate program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles within the sport industry.  Students are provided with theoretical and practical knowledge to face the opportunities and challenges associated with sport business careers.  
The four-course sequence Graduate Certificate in adapted physical education is designed for individuals who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in working with students with disabilities and are practicing or planning to teach in school-based physical education settings.
This program provides teachers and related-service providers with instruction in applied behavior analysis that will broaden the range of empirically-supported instructional methodologies used to meet the academic, social, and behavioral needs of a diverse student or client population.
This autism certificate program is designed to prepare teachers and related service providers to effectively work with and provide support for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
This minor offers students with the interest in coaching in schools, private clubs, or collegiately an opportunity to explore the basics of coaching management, sports psychology, and complete a practical internship in their desired sport.
This minor offers students with an interest in the health education field an opportunity to explore the core concepts of human growth and motor development, teaching health concepts, injury care, nutrition, and fitness.
This minor is designed to complement majors in education, psychology, and speech pathology. It can be helpful if students intend to become special education teachers or speech language pathologists.
This minor is designed to provide students with a solid theoretical foundation in the study and practice of sport management. Students will achieve this goal by completing a series of five courses in the undergraduate sport management program.
Physical Activity Courses
Human Movement Science offers courses in self defense and three types of martial arts, as well as physical education courses in swimming, yoga, weight training, golf and aerobics.
Accredited by CAEP
Special Education and Health & Physical Education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation for Education Preparation (CAEP). The Virginia Standards of Technology for Instructional Personnel are also satisfied within the coursework.Â