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A master's in sports psychology can lead to a career helping athletes deal with mental challenges and improve their performance. Graduate schools for sports psychology also can prepare you to pursue a doctoral degree required in most states to practice as a licensed sports psychologist. Learn what to expect from the best sports psychology programs and what you can do with your degree.
Popular Online Psychology Master's Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Master's in Sports Psychology
A career in sports psychology offers personal and professional fulfillment, but earning a master's and establishing yourself in this field can be challenging. Consider both pros and cons before deciding whether sports psychology is right for you.
Pros
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Personal fulfillment: If you have a strong interest in both athletics and mental health care, the field of sports psychology offers rewarding work helping athletes, teams, and coaches deal with mental health challenges that impact performance. -
Increasing career opportunities: According to the American Psychological Association, the demand for sports psychologists is growing. Master's degree-holders find positions with professional sports teams, sports medicine clinics, and as educators, trainers, and consultants. -
Earning potential: According to 29 respondents on Payscale as of August 2023, sports psychologists make an average annual salary of $79,580, although salary ranges vary depending on the degree level, employer, and location.
Cons
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Availability of sports psychology degrees: Although sports psychology is a growing field, there are relatively few graduate schools for sports psychology. Students often choose to earn a master's degree in clinical or counseling psychology, with a specialization in sports psychology, performance psychology, or a related field. -
Cost of a graduate degree: Graduate training requires a considerable investment of time and money. The average cost of a master's degree, which takes two years to complete, is $59,684. The average cost of a doctorate, which requires 4-8 more years, is $81,900. -
Competition for top positions: The best-paying jobs for sports psychologists are with professional sports franchises and college athletic departments. Candidates for these positions, which require considerable training and experience, face stiff competition.
What to Expect from the Best Graduate Schools for Sports Psychology
Sports psychology master's programs cover the basic principles of general and clinical psychology and counseling, along with more specialized coursework in sports-related psychology, exercise physiology, performance enhancement, and kinesiology.
Most master's degrees require between 36 and 60 hours, typically completed over two years, and include internship or fieldwork components.
Sports Psychology Courses
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Counseling Skills in Sports Psychology
This course surveys counseling theories, evidence-based practices, and techniques, with an emphasis on interviewing, assessment, and interventions that facilitate the helping process. -
Kinesiology
This introduction to the field of kinesiology examines anatomy, biomechanics, motor control, and exercise physiology with applications to human performance. -
Psychology of Injury
Students in this course learn how to work effectively with injured athletes. This class explores sports rehabilitation techniques and psychological approaches to performance and mental health issues related to injuries. -
Ethics in Social Psychology
This course introduces students to ethical guidelines from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and other professional organizations, with applications to common ethical challenges and situations faced by those working in the field. -
Internship in Sports Psychology
Students gain practical experience by applying classroom knowledge to professional settings. Interns participate in supervised placements working with athletes in settings, such as school or professional sports teams, and rehabilitation and other healthcare facilities.
Graduate Schools for Sports Psychology: Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for sports psychology master's programs typically include a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with an overall 3.0 GPA. Earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, kinesiology, or a related field provides a strong foundation for a master's in sports psychology.
Expect to provide official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement describing your interest in the field. Schools often look for students who can document work or volunteer experience in sports-related areas. Depending on the program, you may have to submit GRE scores.
Paying for a Master's in Sports Psychology
For many aspiring sports psychologists, the biggest barrier is the cost of a degree. However, with careful planning and budgeting, you can achieve your educational goals without depleting your savings or going into debt. For example, public schools charge lower tuition than private institutions, and online programs can reduce your transportation and housing costs.
The field of psychology offers many financial aid opportunities. Unlike student loans, which you must repay after graduation, scholarships, grants, and fellowships provide you with free money to help pay for your degree.
Annual Tuition and Fees for Graduate Programs, 2021-22
$12,596
Public Institution
$28,017
Private Institution
Source: NCES
What You Can Do with a Master's in Sports Psychology
The growing recognition of the value of a degree from an accredited graduate school for sports psychology has driven the demand for highly trained professionals in a variety of employment settings. With a bachelor's or master's degree in sports psychology, you can find positions in coaching, school counseling, athletic and personal training, and rehabilitation, among others. Pursuing a doctorate can qualify you for state licensure as a clinical or counseling psychologist, further advancing your career and salary prospects.
Careers with a Master's in Sports Psychology
Coach
Coaches use their education in sports psychology to apply mental training techniques to help athletes overcome barriers limiting their performance, minimize the psychological effects of poor performance, and develop strategies to achieve peak performance. Coaches work in a variety of settings, educating and supporting athletes, parents, and coaches.
Median Salary (2023): $45,910
Sports Counselor
Sports counselors provide mental health services and support to athletes in school, university, and professional sports teams. Services commonly include counseling, crisis intervention, risk assessment, and addressing performance anxiety. Sports counselors also consult with coaches, faculty, and staff to help create a safe and successful performance environment.
Median Salary (2023): $53,710
Mental Performance Consultant
The AASP administers the certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) credential to graduate-trained professionals who provide skills training and self-improvement services. CMPCs work with individual athletes, teams, and coaches to overcome psychological obstacles to success, optimize performance, and build motivation and self-confidence.
Median Salary (2020): $76,250
Is a Master's in Sports Psychology Right for You?
Only you can decide whether a master's in sports psychology is the right choice for you, based on what inspires you to enter this field, your career goals, and the education and training you are willing to pursue to achieve these goals.
Besides a deep interest in athletics and psychology, the successful sports psychologist needs hard skills acquired through education, training, and experience, and soft skills like communication, empathy, and resilience in emotional situations.
While graduate schools for sports psychology, or any accredited master's program in the field, can prepare you for a rewarding career, upper-level and top-paying positions with professional and college sports teams or other high-performing groups beyond athletics require certification, or a doctorate to practice as a licensed psychologist.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Sports Psychology Programs
What degree is best for sports psychology?
You can enter the field with a master's in general, clinical, or counseling psychology. As the field grows in popularity, more schools offer sports psychology master's or concentrations within their psychology program. You will need a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology before you can practice as a licensed psychologist.
Is there a high demand for sports psychologists?
The demand for skilled sports psychology professionals continues to expand in athletics and beyond to other high-stress fields. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report employment data specifically for sports psychologists, the BLS projects the number of psychologists, including those with clinical and counseling licenses, to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032.
How do I choose the best sports psychology program?
Choosing the best sports psychology program depends on your personal needs and personal goals. Whether you're looking at graduate schools for sports psychology or a sports psychology master's concentration program, pay attention to accreditation status, credit and internship requirements, and the courses and specialization options that cater to your interests. If you are considering online programs, find out about delivery formats and any on-campus requirements.
Can I complete a sports psychology program online?
You can pursue online sports psychology programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels that feature fully remote or hybrid delivery formats. Online programs typically offer the same courses as traditional campus-based programs, often taught by the same faculty.
Page last reviewed on May 13, 2024