Sport and Performance Psychology

The Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology provides students with an education based on current best practices stemming from empirical research and applied work. Psychosocial determinants of performance and mental skills training are emphasized throughout the program providing students with strong experiential and research-based learning activities in an inclusive and equitable environment.

Degrees & Offerings

M.S.

Format Option(s)

Online

Department

Health and Exercise Science

College

College of Health Professions

Program Contact

Yvette Ingram; Ph.D.

Professor/Assistant Athletic Trainer

Program Highlights

100% Asynchronous Online Delivery: Our distance instructional methods are designed to maintain a personal, one-to-one mentoring and supervisory relationship with degree candidates while making it possible to create active and engaged learning communities. No campus visits or on-campus residencies are required. Much of the coursework is completed via virtual classrooms utilizing the latest technology in online instruction.
Program Instructional Facilities: Asynchronous delivery utilizes the Brightspace learning management system and the Mediasite media delivery platform.
Flexible Start Dates & a Diverse Student Population: You can begin coursework in the fall, spring, or summer semester. Because the coursework can be completed 100% online, our students hail from across the country and abroad.
Full-Time and Part-Time: Students can attend full-time or part-time. Typically, full-time graduate students take nine credits in the fall and spring, and up to twelve credits over the summer. Students who attend part-time can take three or six credits per semester and this can vary by semester based on their individual needs.
Semester Off: Many of the students in our program work full-time and occasionally need to take a semester off. Coaches in our program, for example, may not want to take classes when their sports are in season (and then double up the following semester). Students are allowed to step out for a semester and return to classes afterward. When they are ready to begin classes again, students should submit a readmission application through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Transfer Credits: Students can transfer up to six credits into the graduate program. To have courses evaluated, please contact the Program Coordinator. Please include the course name and description - in some cases, a syllabus may be required to accurately evaluate student learning outcomes.
Non-Degree: Students who would like to take class(es) without applying to or enrolling in the graduate program are able to take up to three classes/nine credits through "walk-in" registration. Sport and Performance Psychology professionals, for example, who require a course for certification through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology often choose this option.

Courses and Curriculum

Coursework (21 credits)

SPPP500 Research Methods in Sport and Performance Psychology
SPPP503 Mental Health in Sport and Performance Settings
SPPP510 Foundations of Sport and Performance Psychology
SPPP512 Sport Psychology for Performance Enhancement
SPPP513 Psychology of Athletic Injury and Recovery
SPPP516 Professional Ethics in Sport and Performance Psychology
SPPP530 Capstone in Sport and Performance Psychology

Electives (9 credits)

SPPP504: Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior
SPPP511: Sport and Performance Psychology Across the Lifespan
SPPP514: Stress Management for the Physically Active
SPPP515: Seminar in Sport and Performance Psychology
(content varies - may fit a knowledge area)
SPPP517: Cultural and Ethnic Diversity for Sport Psychology Consulting
SPPP518: Counseling Skills for Sport and Performance Psychology
SPPP519: Gender and Sport
SPPP531: Mentored Experience in Sport/Perf Psychology

AASP Certification Course Requirements * = must be graduate level	Courses offered at Commonwealth University
K1. Professional Ethics and Standards	SPPP516: Professional Ethics in Applied Sport Psychology
K2. Sport Psychology	SPPP510: Foundations of Sport and Performance Psychology SPPP512: Sport Psychology for Performance Enhancement SPPP513: Psychological Aspects of Injury and Recovery SPPP514: Stress Management for the Physically Active
K3. Sport Science	SPPP519: Gender and Sports
K4. Psychopathology	SPPP503: Mental Health in Sport and Performance Settings
K5. Helping Relationships*	SPPP518: Counseling Skills for Sport Psychology
K6. Research Methods and Statistics*	SPPP500: Research Methods in Sport Science
K7. Psychological Foundations of Behavior	SPPP515: Seminar in Sport Science (if the topic is appropriate – individual course outline must be reviewed by AASP) SPPP504: Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior
K8. Diversity and Culture*	SPPP517: Cultural & Ethnic Diversity for Sport Psych Consulting
Mentored Experience in Sport and Exercise Psychology	SPPP531: Mentored Experience in Sport and Performance Psychology

Evidence informed best practice-based on research and applied work
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Flexibility for the traditional and non-traditional learner
Emphasis on enhancing the quality of life of clients, coaches, parents, and others
Emphasis on real-world learning experiences

To complete the admissions process, students must submit:

Online application
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (such as Psychology, Health and Physical Education, Athletic Training, Health Science, Sports Administration, etc)
Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
Three letters of recommendation
Statement of professional goals

*Students wishing to apply to this program who do not have a 3.0+ GPA, can apply for conditional admission if their undergraduate GPA falls between 2.75-2.99. Students accepted as conditional admit must earn and maintain a minimum of 3.0 or higher throughout the program. Failure to earn a B or better could result in probation or removal from the program.

Application materials may be sent electronically to gradadmissions@commonwealthu.edu or mailed directly to the following address:

Commonwealth University- Bloomsburg
Office of Graduate Admissions
400 East Second Street
Bloomsburg, PA, 17815

*Commonwealth University graduates do not need to request transcripts; the Office of Admissions will do this on your behalf.

Students also have the option of registering for up to three courses as a non-degree seeking student and have those courses automatically transfer to degree seeking status upon official enrollment in the program. If you would like to register for courses as a non-degree student please complete the Non Degree application.

Note: Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for state or federal financial aid.

THE HUSKY DIFFERENCE

College of Distinction

Bloomsburg has earned national recognition as a College of Distinction, honored for its quality and high-impact practices.

Careers

Career options associated with the Sport and Performance Master's Program

Potential Job Opportunities

College Athletic Department
Coach
Mental Health and Wellness Advisor
Army Center for Performance Enhancement
AASP Certified Consultant
Fitness Consultant
Lifestyle Coach

Benefits of Sport and Performance Psychology

As a sport and performance psychologist, you have the opportunity to work with athletes and coaches to provide techniques to reach goals and enhance the player's execution. Examples of how sport and performance psychologists are beneficial to athletes include effective stress management, improved focus, reduced risk of burnout, increased confidence, and an overall improvement in mental health.