Undergraduate Programs

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

by Sarah L. Castillo, National University

With the rise in publicity and popularity of sport psychology, a number of institutions have created academic majors and minors in Sport and Exercise Psychology. In general, one can define an academic “major” as a program of in-depth study leading directly to a baccalaureate degree and an academic “minor” as a secondary field of study or specialization. An academic minor requires fewer courses and does not, in and of itself, lead to a bachelor’s degree. General Education and elective coursework is required by institutions in addition to the coursework requirements for the major and/or minor. The number of credit hours required to complete an academic major or minor depends both on institutional policy and on institutional structure (i.e., semester or quarter system). Given the unique demands and opportunities in the field, especially applied work in performance enhancement and AASP Certification, students may be best served to major in Psychology and minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology, or vice versa depending on your chosen university’s academic programs. Students should conduct careful research on programs of interest to determine which one best meets their needs.

The institutions below have established either majors or minors in Sport and Exercise Psychology

Institution	Major/Minor	Degree	Department	Contact Info	Comments
Adams State College Alamosa, CO	Major Website Minor Website	BA	Dept. of Psychology in collaboration with the Dept. of Human Performance and Physical Education	Dr. Brian Zuleger brianzuleger@adams.edu
Arcadia University, Glenside, PA	Major Website	BA	Psychology	Dr. Steven Robbins robbinss@arcadia.edu	Requires 1 year of study abroad
Barry University Miami Shores, FL	Major Website	BS	Dept. of Exercise & Sport Science	Dr. Duncan Simpson dsimpson@barry.edu	Major students will also get a minor in Psychology or Management (business)
California State University, Long Beach Long Beach, CA	Major Option Website	BS	Kinesiology	Dr. Alison Wrynn Alison.wrynn@csulb.edu	Degree is in Kinesiology with an option in Sport Psychology and Leadership
Ithaca College Ithaca, NY	Minor Website		Dept. of Exercise & Sport Sciences	Dr. Greg Shelley gshelley@ithaca.edu Dr, Justine Vosloo jvosloo@ithaca.edu	Degree is a BS in Exercise Science
Lock Haven University Lock Haven, PA	Minor Website		Dept. of Sport Studies	Dr. Patricia Lally plally@lhup.edu
Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids, IA	Minor Website		Dept. of Psychology	Dr. Matthew Bejar mbejar@mtmercy.edu
National University Carlsbad, CA	Major Website	BA	Dept. of Psychology	Dr. Sarah Castillo scastillo@nu.edu	Onsite and online courses approved to meet AASP Certification requirements
Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA	Minor Website		Dept. of Kinesiology	Dr. Colleen Hacker hackercm@plu.edu
Robert Morris University Pittsburgh, PA	Major Website	BS	Social Sciences	Dr. Samantha Monda monda@rmu.edu	Degree is in Psychology with a concentration in Sport Psychology
The State University of New York at Fredonia Fredonia, NY	Major Website	BA	Currently in Interdisciplinary Studies; possible change to Psychology	Dr. Bruce Klonsky klonsky@fredonia.edu sport.psychology@fredonia.edu	Course categories patterned after AASP Certification criteria
Texas A&M, Kingsville Kingsville, TX	Major Website	BS	Dept. of Health & Kinesiology	Dr. Stacey Gaines stacey.gaines@tamuk.edu	Degree is in Kinesiology with an option in Exercise Science-Performance Psychology
Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX	Major Website	BS	Dept. of Kinesiology	Dr. Gloria Solomon g.solomon@tcu.edu	Major in Sport Psychology; internship opportunities
Texas State University San Marcos, TX	Minor Website		Dept. of Psychology	psych-IT@txstate.edu
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA	Major Specialization Website	BA	School of Health, Phys. Ed. & Leisure Services	Dr. Mickey Mack mickey.mack@uni.edu	Major in Movement and Exercise Science with a focus on Sport Psychology
Washburn University Topeka, KS	Major Concentration Website	BA	Dept. of Kinesiology	Dr. Park Lockwood park.lockwood@washburn.edu Dr. Dave Provorse dave.provorse@washburn.edu	Degree is in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Psychology
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV	Major Website Minor Website	BS	College of Phys. Act. & Sport Sciences College of Phys. Act. & Sport Sciences	Dr. Damien Clement Damien.Clement@mail.wvu.edu Dr. Jack Watson Jack.Watson@mail.wvu.edu Carol Straight cstraig@mail.wvu.edu	Students are mentored by faculty and doctoral students. Provides an overview of the principles and theories of sport and physical activity.
University of West Florida Pensacola, FL	Minor Website	BA	Dept. of Psychology	Dr. Robert Rotunda rrotunda@uwf.edu
Western Washington University Bellingham, WA	Major Specialization Website Minor Website	BS	Dept. of Phys. Ed, Health, & Recreation	Dr. Linda Keeler Linda.Keeler@wwu.edu	Degree is in Kinesiology with a specialization in Sport Psychology

Find
a CMPC

career
center

Join
AASP today

Contact the
Certification Council

Webinars
on demand