Kinesiology, M.S. Applied Sport Psychology Concentration

Applied sport psychology employs a combination of evidence-based performance enhancement techniques, sport science, and counseling skills to help athletes maximize their potential and obtain optimal enjoyment from their sport and performance experiences.

Graduate students in Applied Sport Psychology typically come from Kinesiology or Psychology undergraduate programs and come to UNCG to learn how to enhance human development and functioning by acquiring cutting edge knowledge in the area of sport psychology. If you enjoy helping athletes and performers achieve their full sporting and exercise potential, solving complex problems and working as part of a team, this field might be an ideal match for you.

For over a century, the Department of Kinesiology has been a cornerstone department of the University. Beginning as the Department of Physiology and Physical Culture in the Women’s College in 1892, the department took the progressive view that women should be physically active to improve their health and wellness. As the department evolved and grew with the university, our name changed, but our mission to promote education in and instruction of physical health remains at our core.

Program Distinctions

• Our focus on interdisciplinary education and hands-on clinical experience, combined with our diverse, dynamic programs ensure you are well-prepared for post-graduate life.
• The master’s degree curriculum was designed specifically to help you meet the coursework and field experience requirements for certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), the gold standard designation for sport psychology practice developed by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). It is the only program in the state of North Carolina that offers this unique curriculum.
• When you enroll, you join a cohort or group of students who will take classes together throughout the course of the program. This cohort model emphasizes collaboration, communication, connection, and camaraderie among students.  
• You will have the opportunity to take classes and learn from faculty with a broad range of expertise and career experiences in the field of sport and exercise psychology as well as from faculty in other departments across campus such as counseling, psychology, and social work. In addition, we invite local, national, and international professionals into the classroom to share their expertise and experiences with you.

The Student Experience

• We have a diverse group of 20 students from all over the country. Students are required to complete 400 hours of mentored experience within a variety of sport and performance settings over their 2nd year in the program. 200 of these hours must be providing direct face-to-face services to athletes, performers and/or those involved in their training (coaches, parents).
• Faculty in SEP have ongoing collaborations with other subdisciplines in Kinesiology (e.g., Exercise Physiology, Applied Research Neuromechanics) and with other departments (e.g., Human Development Family Studies, Psychology), Institutes (Institute to Promote Athlete Health and Wellness) and Centers (Center for Women’s Health and Wellness) across campus.
• You will progress through the degree based on an individual plan of study designed to meet the CMPC course requirements, which is developed in consultation with your advisor. If you are interested, more information can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

After Graduation

Our curriculum is designed to prepare you to pursue (a) careers in coaching, teaching, sports medicine, athletic training, health and fitness, or performance enhancement consulting, (b) doctoral degrees in sport psychology, clinical or counseling psychology, social work, and/or (c) certification in sport psychology consulting as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Apply to Program

• Process and Requirements