Sports Psychology--Graduate Degree Levels

Sports Psychology Careers that Require a Doctoral Degree in Psychology

Career possibilities with a PhD Degree in Sports Psychology after initially receiving a Psychology degree

With your Psychology degree you can move forward to earn a PhD degree in Sports Psychology. Why Sports Psychology? It is a relatively new area of Psychology that has been around for about 30 years, and the field of Sports Psychology is rapidly expanding. The fiield of Sports Psychology focuses on how psychologiy impacts athletic (and other types of) performance and well being. In this way, Sports Psychology studies the how physical and mental health work together. You should be aware that Sports Psychology use basic principles to improve performance and applies these in business and with individuals who must deal with challenges in their lives.

Before earning a PhD, you must first earn a Master's degree, either from another school or the same school. Students often take classes in kinesiology, physiology, sports medicine, business and marketing. A PhD program usually requires 4-6 years of graduate school to complete a dissertation (research project). At many schools you do NOT pay tuition and receive a stipend, a form of salary for serving as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA). Keep in mind that when you finish your PhD in Sports Psychology you will not be eligible to be licensed as a practicing Clinical or Counseling Psychologist. With your PhD you could find a job consulting with athletes at a college or university. In addition, you might work for the military, helping to keep troops mentally fit for battle. Finally, you might decie to go into private practice working with individuals at all age ranges and skills levels (even Olympic athletes).

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Salary Information

apa.org estimates that the average yearly income of a PhD in Sports Psychology at $70,000.

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Click here to read important Steps to an MA/MS or PhD in Sports Psychology To learn more about applying to Psychology graduate school check out the following:

American Psychological Association

Columbia University

Mitch’s Guide

Other links on explorecareersinpsychology.org

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Sports Psychology Careers that Require a Master's Degree in Psychology

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Can I use my Psychology degree to pusue a career with a Master's Degree in Sports Psychology?

Once you earn your Psychology degree you can move forward to earn a Master's degree working in Sports Psychology. This relatively new of Sports Psychology has really only been around for about 30 years, but it is moving fast, with a great deal of interest in students pursuing a degree in this field. Sports Psychology is concerned with how psychological factors affect performance (often, but not always in athletics). In addition, Sports Psychology is interested in how participation in athletics affect psychological and physical well-being. In essence, Sports Psychology is concerned with the link between physical and mental health.

What is interesting about Sports Psychology today is that it has now broadened its impact. Sports Psychologists use basic principles and apply these in business and with individuals who must deal with challenges in their lives.

If you decide to apply to a Master's program in Sports Psychology you need to be aware of several things. First, a Master's degree usually requires 2 years of graduate school to complete a thesis (research project). Second, it is likely that you will need to decide whether you want to follow a research track (for those seeking to move ahead and get a PhD) or an applied track (for those preparng for professional careers after graduating). Third, in most cases you will need to pay full tuition and there may be only limited opportunities to earn money as a Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant. Fourth, when you finish a graduate program you will not be eligible to be licensed as a practicing Clinical or Counseling Psychologist.

Click here to see an example of this type of a master's degree program in sports psychology.