Best master’s degrees in sports psychology

The Kinesiology Department of Fresno State offers an M.A. in Sports Psychology. The department also has similar degrees in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Sport Administration. Sports Psychology graduates go on to work as coaches, sports medicine professionals, fitness instructors, or performance enhancement consultants.

The program also allows participants to become AASP Certified Consultants, as well as preparing graduate students for a range of career options such as:coaching, teaching, sports medicine, athletic training, health and fitness, or performance enhancement consulting.

It also gives the foundational knowledge for those considering doctoral degrees in fields such as sport psychology, kinesiology, education, or social psychology.

The Master’s program in Kinesiology & Recreation, which has a Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity specialization, equips students to drive positive change within their professional domain and contribute to policy development. This program delves into the study of psychological attributes and their impact on engagement in sport and physical activities.

A cornerstone of this program is its strong emphasis on scholarly inquiry, fostering students’ abilities to think critically and conceptually.

The seamlessly blends theoretical foundations, empirical research, and practical applications. It explores cognitive, emotional, psychological, and social factors that

shape behaviors in sports and exercise, also delving into the reciprocal effects of physical activity on psychological aspects. This program has a close partnership with SIUE’s Division I athletics program.

Students are encouraged to tailor their educational experience to align with their career aspirations by choosing elective courses in addition to core coursework. Classes could include:

• Sport psychology
• Exercise psychology
• Exercise and sport psychology for special populations
• Sport sociology
• Psychology of coaching
• Physical activity promotion

This 100% online program offers numerous distinct advantages, such as fostering the development of expertise through dedicated faculty mentorship, maintaining an optimal student-faculty ratio for personalized attention, and providing career-focused advising to help students select courses, research topics, and applied experiences conducive to their success.

Since this program is online, it ensures accessibility by accommodating the needs of working professionals with flexible class schedules

The College of Health and Human Services at CSU offers an M.S. in kinesiology with a concentration in sport and exercise psychology. Coursework includes applied sport psychology, sport in U.S. culture, and psychological aspects of sport injury. Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available.

The M.S. in Kinesiology comes with the following concentration options:

• Coaching and student athlete development
• Sport management
• Individualized studies
• Exercise physiology and nutrition
• Exercise science
• Sport and exercise psychology

For students who have completed coursework at another institution but haven’t earned their degree, CSU accepts and recognizes transfer credits. The program is taught in person at the Long Beach campus.

The College of Education at FSU delivers a sports psychology graduate program through the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems.

Coursework for the M.S. in sport psychology includes stress and performance, group dynamics in sport, and cognitive sport psychology.

The program includes supervised practical work with athletes, which is essential for those wishing to pursue certification. There’s a coursework-only option with an exam or a thesis track. FSU accepts transfer students and credits from accredited institutions after evaluation. The program is taught in person at the Tallahassee campus.

This public university in Mankato, Minnesota offers an M.S. in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. The program’s commitment to hands-on learning prepares students to work professionally with athletes or pursue doctoral studies.

Graduate assistantships are available at the Center for Sport and Performance Psychology and throughout the university. To earn their degree, students must complete a capstone project.

The curriculum covers sports psychology, ethics, research techniques, motor development, coaching psychology, behavior change theory, and more.

The Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology program is designed to offer students a robust education, nurturing their development as competent and effective mental performance professionals. The program combines experiential training with a foundation in theory, evidence-based practice, ethics, and professional standards.

After completion, students emerge with a comprehensive skill set, encompassing assessment, counseling proficiency, research methods, performance enhancement, and a commitment to multicultural sensitivity.

After finishing the initial 9 courses in the curriculum, all students are required to pass the Comprehensive Written Exam (CWE).

The Accelerated BS in Sport Management to MS in Sport Science: Sport and Exercise Psychology track allows junior-level undergraduate students with a 3.0 GPA to complete up to 12 graduate credits that count towards both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Upon finishing the BS in Sport Management requirements, students seamlessly transition into the MS in Sport Science: Sport and Exercise Psychology track.

In this program, students develop a comprehensive understanding of research methods and the foundational aspects of sport science, including socio-cultural, philosophical, and psychological perspectives. Students will focus on mental skills training, addressing stress and anxiety, injury prevention, and coping strategies. They will also analyze the interrelationships between stress, health, and physical activity.

Gannon University’s master’s program in Applied Exercise Physiology offers advanced training in human performance, emphasizing key areas such as biochemistry, nutrition, psychology, physiology, and sport and clinical exercise physiology. Undergraduates have the option to complete the program in just 5 years, while post-baccalaureate students can finish in 1 year.

This program also provides an exceptional hands-on internship experience with Gannon’s 18 athletic teams and local semi-professional sports teams, offering diverse clinical experiences and interprofessional learning opportunities.

Students can also choose a thesis option, which consists of 6 credits of research-based scientific study that prepares you for mid-level employment or sets the stage for further studies at the doctoral level.

UK is a public research university in Lexington, Kentucky. It offers an M.S. with a Concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology through the College of Education’s Kinesiology & Health Promotion Department.

Students of this interdisciplinary program explore the psychological factors that influence sports and physical activity, integrating theory-based research and applied concepts. Students choose between 2 tracks:

• Applied – helps students to attain CMPC certification and become coaches, performance consultants, resilience trainers, etc. Students must complete an internship and take written and oral exams.
• Research – prepares students for a career in academia. Students must complete and defend a master’s thesis.

Courses include psychology of sports, group dynamics, health promotion and behavior change, sports medicine, leadership, group counselling, and more.

The sport and exercise psychology program prepares students to become competitive candidates for doctoral programs. This on-campus program offers numerous opportunities for students to engage in research and applied work tailored to their interests. The master’s in sport and exercise psychology program has established valuable partnerships with the Counseling Psychology and Psychological Sciences departments, which gives students the opportunity to consider minors or double majors in an array of psychology disciplines.

The program also helps students pursue certification as mental performance consultants through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. At Ball State, students gain a wealth of experience by working with a diverse range of clients, including NCAA Division I student athletes, club sport teams, youth athletes, military students, exercise enthusiasts, injured athletes, and performing arts students.

The primary objective of sport and performance consultants is to enhance their clients’ quality of life by assisting them in achieving their performance and health objectives. The M.S. in Sport and Performance Psychology program equips students with the skills to employ psychological techniques for enhancing physical performance and overall well-being.

The curriculum blends psychological principles with a foundation in kinesiology, deeply rooted in a biblical perspective. Furthermore, students gain invaluable practical experience through practicum placements and mentorship opportunities.

This program provides extensive opportunities for both research and practical application, including on-campus experiences collaborating with Barry’s DII Athletics department and off-campus involvement with various local sport, exercise, and performance organizations.

Students benefit from the wealth of experience offered by professors who are certified as Mental Performance Coaching Consultants (CMPC).

The program is highly adaptable to individual professional objectives, offering various tracks, including:

• Applied track
• Thesis track
• Dual track
• Dual degree in SEPP/MBA