In the world of sports, mental strength often set the winners apart from the rest. For those seeking to unlock an athlete’s peak performance, a master’s in sports psychology online is a popular choice. This article discusses the exciting realm of online master’s degrees in sports psychology, where the mind becomes the ultimate battleground for sporting success. We will explore the core concepts, techniques, and the role of mental stamina in athletic prowess. From elite athletes to coaches and sports enthusiasts, this field’s insights and strategies are changing the game. Join us as we explore this exciting field, and learn how the mind’s power can redefine success on and off the field.
What to Expect From an Online Master’s in Sports Psychology
Getting a master’s in sports psychology online is a flexible and convenient way to a degree. In fact, it’s great for those who may have other commitments such as work or family. These programs are mostly online, allowing students to access course materials, lectures, and assignments through web-based platforms. They provide a dynamic virtual classroom environment, where students can interact with professors and peers through discussion forums, video conferencing, and email.
While most coursework can be done online, an online master’s degree in sports psychology may have some in-person requirements. These can vary depending on the school and are designed to give students practical, hands-on experiences in sports psychology. These in-person sessions may include workshops, seminars, or supervised fieldwork where students can apply their knowledge in real-world sports settings. Each program’s in-person requirements may vary, so check with the school for details.
Online master’s programs in sports psychology usually take 18 months to two years, depending on the format and the student’s pace. Students can expect a well-rounded curriculum that covers a wide range of topics, including sports psychology fundamentals, performance enhancement techniques, athlete mental health, team dynamics, and research methods. Some programs may offer elective courses, allowing students to tailor their studies to their specific interests in the field.
Sports psychology graduate program prerequisites usually include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, often with a background in psychology or a related field. In addition, students may need to submit letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and GRE scores, although requirements can vary between universities. Some programs may also require applicants to have relevant work or volunteer experience in sports or psychology.
GetEducated's Picks
- Pennsylvania Western University Master of Science in Exercise Science & Health Promotion / Sport Psychology
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Master of Science in Sport Science (Lock Haven)
- Concordia University-Saint Paul Master of Science in Exercise Science
Types of Online Master’s in Sports Psychology Degrees
When choosing a master’s in sports psychology online, there are various types of degrees, each designed for different career goals and interests. Two primary types of programs are clinical vs. non-clinical tracks and the choice between sports psychology and performance psychology concentrations. Additionally, the type of degree, such as a Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA), can impact the focus and career outcomes.
Clinical vs. Non-Clinical Sports Psychology Programs
Clinical sports psychology programs are designed for those interested in becoming licensed sports psychologists. These pros provide therapy and counseling services to athletes and teams. It often leads to a Master of Science (MS) or Master of Education (MEd) degree. Coursework typically includes topics like counseling techniques, psychopathology, and clinical assessment. Graduates can pursue careers in private practice, university counseling centers, or sports clinics.
The non-clinical online sports psychology master’s degree is geared toward individuals interested in performance enhancement. This track emphasizes mental coaching, leadership, and peak performance strategies. For example, coursework covers areas like sports psychology consulting, motivation, and team dynamics. Graduates can find opportunities in coaching, sports management, or consulting with athletes and teams.
Sports Psychology vs. Performance Psychology
Sports psychology and performance psychology are 2 distinct concentrations offered. Sports Psychology focuses on athlete well-being, stress management, and mental health, extending support beyond performance performance. On the other hand, performance psychology concentrates on improving athletic achievement by enhancing focus, motivation, and mental stamina, enabling graduates to facilitate peak performance and overcome mental obstacles in sports. However, many universities combine these two programs into one. For example, they may offer sports psychology master’s online degrees that are called Sport and Performance Psychology.
Finally, when selecting an online program, ensure it is accredited by a recognized accrediting body. Accreditation indicates that the program meets specific quality standards and is essential for credibility and potential licensure or certification.
In sum, choosing between clinical or non-clinical tracks and sports psychology vs. performance psychology concentrations depends on personal career aspirations and interests. Clinical tracks are ideal for those pursuing licensure as sports psychologists, while non-clinical tracks are better suited for individuals interested in performance coaching and consulting. The choice between an MA and an MS degree should align with career goals and preferred coursework. Of course, accreditation is crucial for ensuring the program’s quality and recognition within the field.
5 Best Online Master’s in Sports Psychology
Here are 5 of the best online sports psychology graduate programs:
University of West Alabama
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $15,759The University of West Alabama is a great choice for those who want to pursue one of the best online sports psychology master’s programs. They offer the Master of Science in Experimental Psychology with 3 distinct concentrations. First, there’s a general concentration, which is 36 credit hours, focused on preparing you for a doctorate in psychology. Students will be focused on taking general coursework and will need to complete a thesis to pass.
They also offer a Clinical Psychology concentration. Their clinical sport psychology graduate programs focus on skill development in the clinical aspects of psychology. Students will also get the choice to earn this online sports psychology master’s degree by choosing between completing a thesis or taking the Comprehensive Exam. This concentration is 39-57 credit hours and will help you develop some of the skills required to get a license as a Professional Counselor. It won’t, however, fulfill all of the requirements on its own. In addition, this concentration isn’t accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Finally, we have the Health and Sports Psychology concentration, which is 36 credit hours. This specialized track is designed to provide a detailed understanding of the clinical aspects of health and sports psychology. All in all, it equips students for rewarding careers in this field. In similar fashion to the Clinical Psychology concentration, students can choose between completing a thesis or taking the Comprehensive Exam to earn this degree. University of West Alabama’s Master of Science in Experimental Psychology / Health & Sports Psychology degree will take 1-2 years to complete and costs around $429 per credit. The faculty of this university are all highly experienced with PhDs in experimental psychology and will be there to teach you about the best sports psychology master’s programs. Lastly, the University of West Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
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Master of Science in Experimental Psychology / Health & Sports PsychologyCommonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Accreditation: MSCHE
Total Cost (In-State): $19,743
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $29,058The Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania offers one of the best online sports psychology master’s programs. They have the 30-credit hour Master of Science in Sport Science degree. This program can be taken entirely online, so you don’t have to travel anywhere. Plus, it can be completed in just a year. It offers both a Sports Management and an International Sports Management concentration. The sports management concentration, spanning 30 credit hours, shares strategies to excel as a leader in the sports field. It’ll teach you about researching, planning events, and navigating legal issues. Furthermore, after completing this concentration, you should be able to work in many areas in this field. Sports Marketing, Sports Sales and Sponsorship, Event Management, Facility Management, and Athletic Administration are just a few examples.
The International Sport Management concentration, also 30 credit hours, mirrors the Sport Management concentration but with an international lens. You can expect courses like Research Methods in Sports Science, Sports in American Culture, Ethics in Sports, Leadership in Sports Organizations, and Financial Management in Sports. After completing this concentration, you’ll have knowledge in areas like marketing, public relations, legal and policy issues.
The sports psychology online Master’s programs are available both in synchronous and asynchronous formats. This university uses Zoom to teach lessons in a synchronous format. In other words, students participate in real-time. Asynchronous, conversely, means that learning materials are posted online, allowing you to study them at your own pace. This university does this through the Desire2Learn Brightspace system. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania’s MS sports psychology programs have been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
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Master of Science in Sport Science / Sport PsychologyPennsylvania Western University
Accreditation: MSCHE
Total Cost (In-State): $22,521
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $27,597Pennsylvania Western University offers an excellent sports psychology degree online, the Master of Science in Exercise Science & Health Promotion. This 39 to 42-credit program is fully online and offers 10 distinct concentrations to choose from, including Sports Psychology. Core courses in the sports psychology concentration include Industry, Clinical, and Corporate Wellness, as well as Business Entrepreneur/Fitness Industry. Also, you can combine Sports Psychology with Performance Enhancement & Injury Prevention, for example, to earn a dual-concentration degree.
The Sports Psychology concentration in this program teaches how to understand athletes’ minds and help them cope with stress. You’ll also learn about the laws and rules related to sports psychology, which will be handy for dealing with legal aspects in this field. After finishing this Master’s in sports psychology program, you can land jobs as a wellness coach or fitness trainer. This is great news because the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 39% growth in fitness trainer jobs by 2030, which is faster than average. It’s worth noting that Pennsylvania Western University, established in July 2022, is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, assuring the quality of your education.
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Master of Science in Exercise Science & Health Promotion / Sport PsychologyNational University
Accreditation: WSCUC
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $29,835National University, formerly Northcentral University, has one of the best online sports psychology master’s programs, the Master of Science in Sport Psychology degree. This well-known university offers its program in a 100% online format, which means you won’t have a commute to your classes. It’s a great choice for those who want to get a job related to sports psychology, such as Mental Performance Consultant, Personal Trainer, and Performance Psychologist. Some of the programs offered are Foundations of Sports Psychology, Professional Ethics in Sports Psychology, and Applied Sports Psychology. These online sports psychology programs will teach you the skills to assist skilled athletes in improving their mental states for sports-related activities. All in all, the program takes 18 to 21 months to complete and consists of 36 credit hours.
In summary, National University’s Master of Science in Sport Psychology program will prepare you to take the certification exam to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). As a result, you’ll learn the essential areas of sports psychology. Earning this degree will prepare you to work in various sports-related areas, including middle schools, high schools, and colleges. In addition, you’ll be qualified to assist military personnel in improving their mental health and supporting their training. Consequently, National University is one of the best schools for sports psychology. Established by veterans in 1971, National University operates as a nonprofit institution. With a global alumni network exceeding 220,000 individuals, it maintains accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
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Master of Science in Sport PsychologyUniversity of Western States
Accreditation: NWCCU
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $48,550The University of Western States, another one of the best colleges for sports psychology on our list, offers the Master of Science in Sport & Performance Psychology degree. It also offers 2 concentration paths for those who want more control over their choices. The concentrations aren’t mandatory, so you can still complete this program without picking one. Those who want to go on to earn a doctoral degree also don’t need to pick a concentration.
This program also teaches the 8 areas required for certification by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). For example, areas include Professional Ethics and Standards, Sport Psychology, Sport Science, and Research Methods and Statistics, among others. Their sports psychology master’s programs online will prepare you to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). Of course, that requires passing the exam set out by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
Whether you choose a concentration or not, this sports psychology master’s online program consists of 36 credit hours. The Applied Practice Concentration is the first concentration for this program. It’s for those who seek to become CMPC certified, and not earn any further education. The second concentration, ‘positive coaching,’ is for individuals who aspire to lead in this field. They’ll use the knowledge they acquire to enhance communication within their organization. The University of Western States master’s in sport psychology online programs are also accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), ensuring quality education.
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Master of Science in Sport & Performance Psychology
Is Getting an Online Master’s in Sports Psychology Worth It?
By all means, a master’s degree in sports psychology online is worth it if you want a job in this field. You will be able to get access to many careers with an online master’s degree in sports psychology. You will need a license only if you wish to become a clinical psychologist.
Non-clinical psychologists do not require a license. However, to earn a license as a clinical psychologist, you’ll have to earn a doctorate in a related field. You’ll also need two years of supervised psychology practice, and pass a state-issued exam. What can you do with a Master’s in sports psychology? There are several jobs you will qualify for.
To begin with, one career choice is that of an applied sports psychologist. These pros focus on enhancing athletes’ mental well-being, thus helping improve their mental health and performance. The average annual salary for this role is $93,038. Sports rehabilitation therapists, meanwhile, play a crucial role in assisting injured athletes in their mental and physical rehabilitation. They work to help rebuild athletes’ confidence and strength since injuries can often lead to issues like low self-esteem and depression. The average annual salary for this profession is $88,000. Lastly, University team coaches are responsible for nurturing a positive mindset among student-athletes and aiding their progress in sports. They achieve this by sharing various techniques to enhance the students’ skills in their respective sports. The average annual salary for this role is currently $44,315.
Start This Career Path Today
Do you aspire to a career in the field of sports psychology? If so, start your journey toward a credible online sports psychology master’s program today. It offers a unique opportunity to positively impact athletes’ mental well-being, helping them achieve peak performance. If you’re passionate about sports and psychology and want to assist others in their mental recovery from sports-related challenges, then this career path is ideal. Suited for those who enjoy working with people, offering support, and guiding individuals through tough times, this field awaits your passion. Don’t wait; take the first step towards this rewarding career today!