Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology
University of Western States
Key Information
Campus location
Portland, USA
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
USD 587 / per credit
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* priority application deadline: January 27 / final deadline: February 10
Introduction
Using positive and applied sport psychology, our Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology (MS-SPP) program is designed to optimize your skills in sports and performance psychology and transform your abilities to inspire and motivate others to enhance performance and maximize human potential. This flexible and interactive degree is 100% online and empowers you to take courses to meet your individual job and certification needs. The MS-SPP program also offers two concentrations, allowing students to specialize in an area of interest early.
Our curriculum offers a vast array of sport and performance psychology coursework and is designed specifically to help students complete the specialized coursework requirements to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
What Master's concentration is right for me?
The master’s degree program is designed to enhance a current career (i.e., strength coaching, athletic training, executive coaching) with additional sport psychology knowledge. You’ll be able to select elective courses that fit your specific career goals. Regardless of the concentration or no concentration, the credit total of the program remains the same.
If you plan to continue on to a doctoral program in sports and performance psychology, no concentration is needed. You will be able to maximize your elective options while still completing the coursework requirements for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) certification. You will also complete the mentorship hours as part of your future doctoral program.
- Choose the applied practice concentration if you want to obtain CMPC® certification and a master’s degree is your final educational goal. Getting a head start on the process of mentorship and completing the required mentorship hours is essential to moving forward after your MS-SPP degree.
- Choose the positive coaching concentration if you want to combine your knowledge of sport and performance psychology with greater effectiveness as a leader in your chosen field. Learning to apply the principles of positive psychology to improve communication, motivation, and engagement of those around you enhances the performance of any organization.
Concentrations will be noted on the transcript and diploma, making it more visible to graduates, doctoral admissions advisors, and future employers.
Admissions
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology (MS-SPP) offers advanced training for leaders in psychology, coaching, education, health care, business, and administration. Using positive psychology and the applied sport psychology scientist-practitioner model of training, the program is designed to help students develop the necessary skills to take their performance to the next level. The curriculum will support students in preparing for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) exam by providing coursework opportunities in the K1-K8 standards of the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). The master’s degree is comprised of 54 (36 semester) credits.
Program Outcome
Graduates of the MS-SPP program will be able to:
- Describe major concepts and current trends in research pertaining to sport psychology.
- Identify and explain the legal and ethical issues involved with consulting in sport psychology.
- Demonstrate the ability to design activities and ethical interventions in sports and performance contexts that will lead to improved performance and satisfaction.
- Communicate through discussion and writing the terminology, concepts, and connections between science, counseling, and consulting in sport psychology.
- Recognize and integrate a variety of techniques available to improve health, and enhance performance and overall wellness.
8 AASP Knowledge Competency Areas
- K1 – Professional Ethics and Standards
- K2 – Sport Psychology
- K3 – Sport Science
- K4 – Psychopathology
- K5 – Helping Relationships
- K6 – Research Methods and Statistics
- K7 – Psychological Foundations of Behavior
- K8 – Diversity and Culture
Career Opportunities
Sport and performance psychology professionals typically serve as leaders in sports, coaching, exercise, and wellness disciplines. Graduates of the SPP program can seek careers including:
- Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®)
- Positive leadership administrator
- Coach
- Professor
- Licensed professional counselor (pending completion of the CMHC specialization and licensure)
- Athletic director
- Sports program administrator