Online and Distance Learning

Are you looking for sports psychology programs?

Linking sport and psychology in one degree is a relatively recent phenomenon.  And yet so much of performing well in sport is about motivation, stress, endurance, will power - all psychological factors.  So it is surprising that our psychological knowledge about such factors has not been applied to sport in a scientific way before.  Even so, psychology of sport and exercise programs are rapidly becoming very popular amongst students, especially at master's and doctoral levels. 

You can study an MS in Sport Psychology program, or an MA in Psychology with a specialization in Sports and Performance Psychology, or an MA in Sport - Exercise Psychology.  You can also study in related fields such as Health and Wellness Psychology, which can be studies at Masters and PhD levels.

This page will help you to find out more about sport psychology study and to locate suitable university degree programs, especially if you want to take your sports psychology online

Which schools offer online sports psychology programs?

The following list shows the recommended schools for sport psychology graduate programs (plus other other programs relevant to a career in sports psychology):

• The University of the Rockies Online
  • Doctor of Psychology - Sports and Performance Psychology 
  • Doctor of Psychology - Health and Wellness Psychology
  • Master of Arts in Psychology - Sports and Performance Psychology
  • Master of Arts in Psychology - Health and Wellness Psychology
  • Graduate Certificate in General Psychology

• Capella University Online
  • MS - Sport Psychology
  • BS in General Psychology
  • MS in General Psychology
  • PhD in General Psychology

• Argosy University Online
  • Master of Arts in Sport - Exercise Psychology
  • BA Psychology

• University of Phoenix Online
  • AA in Sports Management
  • BS in Psychology
  • MS in Psychology

• Walden University
  • B.S. in Psychology
  • M.S. in Psychology
  • Ph.D. in Psychology

Check the other specializations on this site for schools and programs of possible interest.

For schools in Canada

Click here for a page that links to campus universities and campus colleges in Canada. It also provides some advice on choosing a suitable campus.

Click here and then enter your Canadian postal code to search for Canadian college or university campuses.

What do you study in sports psychology programs?

It is usual to take a sports psychology degree at master's or doctoral level rather than undergraduate level. 

A typical sports psychology masters may include the following: Biological Basis of Behavior, Contemporary Issues in Psychology, Statistics, Human Motivation, Research Design, Cognitive psychology, Tests and measurement, Human development, Cultural diversity, Coaching, and Mind-body practices

As a sports psychology doctoral student you can focus your study in an area that suits your professional interests, but your aim will be to use the knowledge gained in the sports psychology graduate program to make people more effective. In addition to taking graduate courses similar to or the same as those in the masters program, you will need to present a substantial thesis based on your own original research, and make an oral defense of it.

Other specializations relevant to sports psychology

You may find it useful to consider the programs available in the following areas:

• counseling psychology;
• developmental psychology (infant, child, adolescent, adult and elderly);
• general psychology;
• health psychology.

Other schools and programs can be found by using the search box.

What jobs do graduates get?

One can find graduates of sports psychology online degree in management jobs or specialist positions in education, training, testing, or research.  Graduates with a sports psychology masters can find jobs as guidance counselors, educators.

With a doctorate in sport and exercise psychology it is possible to obtain faculty positions at universities and community colleges.  In the US, as an Assistant Professor you would earn about US$54,000, as a Associate Professor about US$67,000, and as a full Professor you would earn about US$85,000 - but the competition is tough. 

For more information

You can search using this link: Search for Schools and Programs

If you don't find what you want here, try using the search facility on this site with sports psychology programs as your search term.

Remember to compare the admission requirements and course content of several schools before you choose a program.

Campus Programs

For those students who feel that online learning and distance education is not for them, and would like investigate sports psychology programs on traditional campuses, the web site also has a section on campus programs. 

You can also use this link to search for sports psychology degrees or schools near you.