Master of Science in Sport Psychology, MS

Master of Science in Sport Psychology

Description of Program

The Master of Science in Sport Psychology (MSPSYSP) degree program is focused on developing the skills and personal and professional growth that are required for effective practice in the field of Sport Psychology. The program is designed to provide an integrated learning experience for adult students seeking specific training in the profession of Sport Psychology (SP). Students in this program will critically analyze a broad range of theories and practical knowledge in SP. Degree requirements also include involvement in ongoing internship/field work and supervision. This training prepares students for applied sport psychology work in a variety of settings including youth and recreational sports, high school athletics, collegiate athletic departments, professional sports organizations, and private practice. Additional program description, requirements, policies, and procedures are further described in the SP Program Handbook.

Click here for potential career opportunities within the MS in Sport Psychology.

Learning Outcomes

Explore theories and principles in sport psychology to inform professional contexts and promote performance enhancement
Examine research methods and data analysis in sport psychology
Apply psychological principles and research to personal, social, and organizational issues
Develop a personalized approach to professional services
Employ ethical principles of sport psychology in academic and professional matters
Examine diversity issues in professional contexts

Basis for Admissions

Admission to the Master of Science program requires a conferred bachelor’s and/or a conferred master’s or doctoral degree from an institutionally accredited academic institution.

Additional State requirements may need to be met for Basis of Admissions into a program:

Basis for Admissions - Washington State Students

Washington State has asked that we provide you the following information before you enroll in the specializations in the MS in Sport Psychology:

The University is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act.
- This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes the University to offer field placement components for specific degree programs.
- The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs.
- Authorization by the Council does not carry with it an endorsement by the Council of the institution or its programs.
- Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430 or by email at degreeauthorization@wsac.wa.gov.
The transferability of credits earned at the University is at the discretion of the receiving college, university, or other educational institution.
- Students considering transferring to any institution should not assume that credits earned in any program of study at the University will be accepted by the receiving institution.
- Similarly, the ability of a degree, certificate, diploma, or other academic credential earned at the University to satisfy an admission requirement of another institution is at the discretion of the receiving institution.
- Accreditation does not guarantee credentials or credits earned at the University will be accepted by or transferred to another institution.
- To minimize the risk of having to repeat coursework, students should contact the receiving institution in advance for evaluation and determination of transferability of credits and/or acceptability of degrees, diplomas, or certificates earned.
The Master of Science in Sport Psychology provides support to students in securing quality internship placements that include but are not limited to Program Coordinators and full-time faculty to help guide students through this process, speak with potential placement sites that have been identified as a possible fit for the student, a national database of potential placements sites, and training materials to help student present in a professionally and appropriate manner.
- The Master of Science in Sport Psychology cannot require a potential placement site to hire students thus it is the responsibility of the student to present themselves in a professional manner and secure a placements site and supervisor.
- We encourage students to contact the Program Coordinator for any additional individualized support they may need in this process.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Sport Psychology program requires a total of 36 credit hours at the graduate level.

The University may accept a maximum of 12 semester credit hours in transfer toward the Master of Science in Sport Psychology for graduate course work completed at an external accredited college or university with a grade of “B” or better. See the Transfer Credit Policy for additional information.

Graduation requirements for the Master’s Degree in Psychology vary according to specialization selected.

All master’s degree programs have the following graduation requirements:

A minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed through the University
Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”) or higher
Official documents on file for basis of admission
Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their complimentary diploma

Time to Completion

The University allows 5 years to complete all Master’s programs of 36 credits or less.

The median time to completion for this program is 25 to 27 months depending on the option to take 2,12-week Field Work courses.

Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance counselors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.

Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 18 to 21 months depending on the option to take 2,12-week Field Work courses.

General Specialization

The Master of Science in Sport Psychology program can be completed in 36 credits.

All Master of Science programs require the foundation course to be completed prior to enrolling in specialization courses. If students choose the capstone stone, this course will be completed as the last course in the degree program.

Course Sequence

FastForward Track

Applicants who qualify for admission into the Master of Science in Sport Psychology will complete the Master of Science in Sport Psychology to the Ph.D. in Sport Psychology FastForward Track course substitutions. In total, students complete 6 credits of the Ph.D. Sport Psychology sequence to satisfy specified courses from the required category in the Master of Science Sport Psychology.

Enrollment in the Master program and completion of the FastForward Track course substitutions does not guarantee admission into a Ph.D. program. Students must meet all required Basis for Admissions (BFA) requirements as outlined in the university catalog for specific doctoral programs.

Doctoral level coursework completed in the Master program must be completed with a grade of “B” or better to meet eligibility requirements to be applied to the applicable Doctoral degree program and be within 5 years from the time they complete the course to transfer it into the Doctoral degree.

FastForward Course Sequence

The Master of Science in Sport Psychology program can be completed in 36 credits.