School Physical Activity Leadership Graduate Certificate
College of Applied Human Sciences
The School Physical Activity Leadership Graduate Certificate offered by the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences is a 12-credit online program designed for K–12 health and physical education teachers who want to lead and improve physical activity programs in schools. With flexible course options and a focus on practical application, the program will help you build skills in program design, instructional innovation, and leadership across a variety of school-based physical activity settings.
Cost:
$744 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
4 Courses / 12 credit hours
Duration:
One year / 8-week and 16-week terms
Dates:
Next Start: January 12, 2026 Admission Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
Learning Format:
Online Asynchronous
Program Overview
Promote Wellness in Schools
This online graduate certificate program is designed for K–12 health and physical education teachers. With a customizable curriculum and a focus on real-world application, the certificate prepares educators to lead comprehensive school physical activity initiatives while advancing their instructional and leadership skills.
- Customizable Curriculum: Choose two areas of study aligned with your interests, including adapted PE, technology and supervision, models-based instruction, and athletic administration.
- Data-Driven Strategy: Use technology and data to enhance teaching, assessment, and student outcomes in physical education.
- Leadership Development: Build skills in supervising programs and managing interscholastic sports.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by nationally and internationally recognized experts, the program blends cutting-edge research with real-world application to help you thrive in a competitive industry.
- Flexible Program Structure: This online program's flexibility lets you get a quality education while balancing life, work, and family.
Curriculum
- Demonstrate proficiency in designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive school physical activity programs, integrating theoretical principles and practical strategies to create engaging and effective learning environments for K-12 students.
- Leverage technology and modern instructional approaches to enhance teaching and assessment in physical education, utilizing digital tools and data-driven insights to optimize student learning outcomes and progress tracking.
- Demonstrate competence in leading and supervising physical education programs, including managing interscholastic sport initiatives, collaborating effectively with colleagues and stakeholders, and adhering to ethical and legal considerations in the realm of school physical activity leadership.
- Option One: Inclusive Pedagogy, 6 credit hours
- PET 581: Adapted Physical Education
- PET 576: Adapted Physical Education-Advanced Laboratory
- Option Two: Leading School Change, 6 credit hours
- PET 573: Instructional Technology in Physical Education
- PET 585: Physical Education Supervision and Advocacy-Advanced Laboratory
- Option Three: Effective Teaching Practices, 6 credit hours
- PET 583: Principles of Effective Teaching in Physical Education
- PET 575: Principles of Effective Teaching in Physical Education-Advanced Laboratory
- Option Four: Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs, 6 credit hours
- PET 580: School Physical Activity Programs
- PET 577: School Physical Activity Programs-Advanced Laboratory
- Option Five: Evidence-based Practice, 6 credit hours
- PET 565: Models-based Physical Education
- PET 574: Models-based Physical Education-Advanced Laboratory
- Option Six: Sport Program Leadership, 6 credit hours
- PET 571: Interscholastic Sport Organization and Administration
- PET 578: Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
- To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelor’s degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75.
- WVU operates decentralized admissions.
- Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
- One-two page statement of interest in the program
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU)
- Email to: GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu
- Mail to: WVU Office of Graduate Admissions, One Waterfront Place, PO Box 6510,
Morgantown, WV 26506-6510
- Resume or CV
- Two reference letters
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies, and living expenses. Visit the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.
Tuition per credit hour is listed on the page of your program of interest. Please note, tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change at the start of each academic year.
Careers and Employment
With the new skills and perspective gained from this certificate program, you will be prepared for a role in a variety of related areas.
Career Paths
- K-12 Physical Education
- Athletic Director
- Sports Administration
- Community and Recreational Sports