Sport & Exercise Psychology Programs
Sport and exercise psychology is an academic discipline that explores the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of physical activity in individual and group contexts. It is a multidisciplinary subject closely related to kinesiology, biology, medicine, and cognitive science. Dozens of colleges and universities in the United States offer degree programs in sport and exercise psychology. Students receive theoretical and practical instruction on how to improve the physical performance and psychological health of individual athletes and sports teams.
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Undergraduate Programs
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Most undergraduate programs in sport and exercise psychology are four-year baccalaureate degrees combining general education requirements in the liberal arts and sciences with specialized instruction that includes theory and practical application. These programs often offer students the chance to develop practical skills through internship or professional practicum courses.
Course topics typically include performance enhancement, individual and team coaching, interpersonal and group dynamics, injury treatment and rehabilitation, motivational psychology, and sports culture. Sensitive topics such as drug addictions and eating disorders are also often addressed.
Arcadia University and National University offer Bachelor of Arts degree programs in sport psychology. An undergraduate minor and a certificate program are available at Texas State University. The School of Physical Activity and Educational Services at Ohio State University offers several degree programs in sport and leisure studies, including a major in sport leadership and sport humanities, and a physical education teacher training program.
Masters Degree Programs
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Many schools throughout the U.S. offer master’s degree programs in sport and exercise psychology in many formats. Some programs require a formal thesis project or a practical internship while others consist only of course-based instruction. Distance learning options are also available. Applicants typically require an undergraduate degree in sport and exercise psychology or a related field of study, such as kinesiology, biology, exercise science, psychology, or sociology.
Ball State University, Springfield College, and Ithaca College all offer Master of Science programs with a major or concentration in sport psychology. John F. Kennedy University and the University of Texas at Austin offer a Master of Arts program in sport and exercise psychology. The Adler School of Professional Psychology offers a Master of Arts in counseling with an emphasis in sport and health psychology. A Masters of Science program in kinesiology with a specialization in sport and exercise psychology is available at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Capella University offers a Master of Science degree with a specialization in sport psychology through online distance learning. The University of the Rockies offers an on-campus or distance learning Master of Arts with a concentration in sports and performance psychology. An online or on-campus Master of Arts degree with a major in sport-exercise psychology is also offered by Argosy University.
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Doctoral Programs
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Doctoral degree programs in sport and exercise psychology are designed for students who wish to pursue a career in research or teaching at the post-secondary level. They typically involve advanced courses in research methods following by a written dissertation that is formally presented and defended during an oral examination. Applicants are usually required to have a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology or a closely related field, such as kinesiology or psychology, with an excellent cumulative grade point average (GPA).
The University of North Texas offers a doctorate program in counseling psychology with an emphasis in sport psychology. Florida State University offers a doctorate degree program in educational psychology with a concentration in sport psychology. A doctorate degree in psychology with an emphasis in sport psychology and physical activity is available at the University of Iowa and the San Diego University for Integrative Studies.
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References
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