Online Sports Psychology Degree Programs

Athletes must be in peak mental and physical condition to perform at their best. Sports psychologists help make this happen.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), sports psychologists help “address optimal performance and well-being of athletes, developmental and social aspects of sports participation, and systemic issues associated with sports settings and organizations.”

Learn more here about sports psychology, and the top online programs where you can earn your degree in this dynamic profession.

Individuals must earn a doctoral degree to become a sports psychologist. Although most educational institutions do not offer bachelor’s or master’s degrees specifically in sports psychology, students can often pursue clinical psychology degrees with a sports psychology concentration.

Sports psychologists help athletes deal with the pressure that comes from competition. They work with athletes to overcome problems with motivation and focus, improve their performance, and recover more fully and safely from injuries.

Sports psychology continues to grow over time. According to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the psychology field as a whole is expected to grow by 6% each year from 2022-2032, which is slightly faster than the national average.

Sports psychologists employ different techniques to help their clients based on the client’s individual goals, needs, and limitations. They motivate athletes and help them overcome mental or emotional barriers that may be slowing their progress or hampering performance.

Their impact has been well-documented in scientific studies. A 2022 analysis concluded that “sport psychology techniques help improve performance [and] variations in psychological constructs relate to variations in performance.”

Sports psychologist pay varies according to several factors, including experience level, geographic location, and more. On average, however, sports psychologists earn annual salaries of $79,575, according to PayScale.

While the BLS does not track salary figures for sports psychologists specifically, as of 2023 clinical and counseling psychologists earned a median annual salary of $96,100.

Most full-time students can graduate in around two years with a master’s degree in psychology, be it with or without a sports concentration. Students who study part-time may take longer to satisfy all graduation requirements.

Many schools offer online degrees in sports psychology. While undergraduate programs in the field are uncommon, students can pursue an online bachelor’s in psychology as a foundation for specialization at the graduate level.

At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, online programs closely resemble their school’s on-campus offerings. Online and in-person programs usually have the same curricula, degree requirements, and employment opportunities. They are sometimes even taught by the same faculty members. These programs do not typically lead to licensure, so online students do not usually have to complete in-person components such as internships or clinical hours.

Distance learners can complete their coursework at their convenience, making it easier to earn a degree while managing personal and professional obligations.

While online programs boast many benefits, they are not for everyone. Distance learners must be disciplined, organized, and skilled in time management. Students considering any degree program should weigh the pros and cons of each learning style.

Sports psychologist education requirements vary based on occupation and employer. However, sports psychologists typically hold a master’s degree. These programs usually require students to earn about 36 credits over the course of two years. While the cost of programs can vary greatly, the APA estimates that students pursuing a master’s degree in psychology incur an average of $60,000 in debt. Accelerated online programs may allow students to earn their degree more quickly and at a lower cost.

To become a licensed sports psychologist, students need to earn a doctoral degree. These programs feature a supervised internship, during which candidates develop experience in a clinical setting. All psychologists must also pass the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology, a national licensing test administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. Some states may have additional licensure requirements. Prospective students should contact their state’s licensing board to learn more.

Online bachelor’s degrees in sports psychology are rare. Instead, many students pursue a bachelor’s in psychology to develop an understanding of the field’s fundamental principles. General psychology programs prepare students for success in master’s programs, which may offer a specialization in sports psychology.

Undergraduate programs usually require students to earn about 120 credits and last around four years. However, some schools offer accelerated programs that can be completed more quickly. Other institutions offer dual degree options, allowing learners to earn credit towards a master’s degree while they are still undergraduates.

Courses in these programs provide an introduction to the concepts of human behavior, human development, motivation, personality, cognition, learning, emotion, and perception. An online sports psychologist student can also take electives in areas related to sports psychology.

Most jobs in the sports psychology field require a master’s degree. While a master’s alone is not enough to qualify students for formal licensure, many sports psychology online master’s programs allow students to earn credits that can also be applied toward their doctoral studies.

Master’s programs in sports psychology build on a student’s undergraduate education. Through advanced sports psychology courses and capstone projects, students apply their knowledge of human behavior and cognitive processes to sports and athletic performance. An online sports psychologist student will take classes covering theories, best practices, and current issues in the field. They also feature coursework in research methods. These classes prepare learners for research-intensive doctoral programs, enabling them to effectively use research in practice.

Most online master’s programs in sports psychology do not lead to licensure. Consequently, they usually do not include clinical experiences like practicums or internships. Many jobs in sports psychology only require a master’s degree.

Sports psychologists interested in formal licensure must earn a Ph.D. or Psy.D. to practice. Most states require clinical psychologists to complete a doctoral program that includes a one-year supervised internship in a clinical setting. After graduation, prospective psychologists can sit for the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology. Some states may impose additional licensing requirements. Applicants should check with their state’s licensing board for more information.

Sports psychologists may choose to work exclusively with young athletes at high schools, colleges, or youth sporting associations. They may also specialize in rehabilitation and work in hospitals, medical centers, or treatment facilities. Other sports psychologists focus on team dynamics, offering their expertise to professional sports organizations or businesses that are struggling to create a sense of unity and cooperation among their employees. Below, we’ve highlighted a few careers you can pursue in the field.

Sports psychologists work at the nexus of psychology, medicine, and wellness. As a result, there is significant overlap between sports psychology and a number of other professional fields. Here is a side-by-side comparison between sports psychology and a sampling of similar professions.

Source:PayScale