Undergraduate Programs in Sport and Performance Psychology
With the rise in publicity and popularity of sport and performance psychology (SPP), a number of institutions have created academic majors and minors in their undergraduate programs. 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. Some programs also offer concentrations in SPP, which embed the specialized SPP courses within a major’s curriculum. Given the unique demands and opportunities in the field, especially applied work in performance enhancement and Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) certification*, students may be best served to major in Psychology or Kinesiology and minor in Sport and/or Performance Psychology, or vice versa, depending on their university’s academic programs. Students should conduct careful research on programs of interest to determine which options best meet their needs.
*Please note that a master's or doctoral degree would be required to apply for CMPC certification, although several coursework requirements can be met with upper-division undergraduate courses.
The institutions below have established majors, minors, or concentrations in Sport and Performance Psychology:
Adams State University
Alamosa, CO, USA
Degree(s):
BA in Sport Psychology (Website)
Minor in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Psychology in collaboration with the Dept. of Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Brian Zuleger, CMPC
brianzuleger@adams.edu
Arizona State University
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Counseling and Applied Psychological Science with a concentration in Sports and Performance Counseling (Website)
Department:
School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology
Contact Info:
Dr. Rachel Ocampo Hoogasian
rachel.ocampo.hoogasian@asu.edu
Ball State University
Muncie, IN, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology (Website)
Department:
School of Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Jean-Charles Lebeau
jlebeau@bsu.edu
Barry University
Miami Shores, FL, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences with a concentration in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Health Promotion & Clinical Practice
Contact Info:
Dr. Kimberly Shaffer, CMPC
Kshaffer@barry.edu
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Sport and Performance Psychology, available for both in-person (Website) and online (Website) options
Department:
College of Behavior and Social Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Ed Garrett
egarrett@calbaptist.edu
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Psychology and Leadership (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Jana Fogaça
Jana.Fogaca@csulb.edu
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania - Lock Haven
Lock Haven, PA, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Sport and Performance Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Rehabilitation Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Patricia Lally, CMPC
plally@commonwealthu.edu
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Exercise Science and Athletic Training
Contact Info:
Dr. Frank Ely
fely@ithaca.edu
Dr. Chris Hummel
chummel@ithaca.edu
Dr. Justine Vosloo, CMPC
jvosloo@ithaca.edu
Keene State College
Keene, NH, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Human Performance and Movement Science
Contact Info:
Dr. Mel Adams, PhD
madams4@keene.edu
Kent State University
Kent, OH, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology (Website)
Minor in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology (Website)
Department:
School of Teaching Learning and Curriculum Studies
Contact Info:
Dr. Marta Guivernau
mguivern@kent.edu
Laurentian University
Sudbury, ON, CAN
Degree(s):
BA in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Robert Schinke
rschinke@laurentian.ca
LeTourneau University
Longview, TX, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Kinesiology: Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Jordan Schools
JordanSchools@letu.edu
National University
San Diego, CA, USA
Degree(s):
BA in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Psychology
Contact Info:
Jimmy Karam, CMPC
jkaram@nu.edu
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
Oslo, Norway
Degree(s):
Bed in Coaching and Sport Psychology (Website)
Note: the Bachelor of Education degree program is taught in Norwegian
Department:
Dept. of Sport and Social Sciences
Contact Info:
Professor Anne Marte Pensgaard, CMPC
annemp@nih.no
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Exercise and Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Mallory Mann
mannmf@plu.edu
Parker University
Dallas, TX, USA
Degree(s):
BS (online) in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
College of Sealth Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Tammy Fogarty
tammyfogarty@parker.edu
Robert Morris University
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Psychology with a concentration in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Psychology and Health Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Carla Conrad
conrad@rmu.edu
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Psychology of Sport and Exercise Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Health and Exercise Science
Contact Info:
Dr. JoAnne Bullard
bullardj@rowan.edu
Shippensburg University
Shippensburg, PA, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Co-Depts. of Exercise Science and Psychology
Contact Info:
Dr. Sam Forlenza
stforlenza@ship.edu
Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Exercise and Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Exercise, Sport, and Nutrition Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Bryan Smith
bryasmi@siue.edu
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science/Performance Psychology (Website)
Minor in Performance Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Health and Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Amber M. Shipherd, CMPC
amber.shipherd@tamuk.edu
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Psychology
Contact Info:
psychology@txstate.edu
University of Essex
Essex, UK
Degree(s):
BS in Sport and Exercise Psychology (Website)
Department:
School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Andrew Brinkley
andrew.brinkley@essex.ac.uk
University of Montana
Missoula, MT, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
School of Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training
Contact Info:
Dr. Charles Palmer, CMPC
Charles.palmer@umontana.edu
University of Olivet
Olivet, MI, USA
Degree(s):
BA in Sports Psychology (Website)
Minor in Sports Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Health and Human Performance
Contact Info:
Dr. Nancy Van Hoozier
nvanhoozier@uolivet.edu
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth, UK
Degree(s):
BS in Sport and Exercise Psychology (Website)
Department:
School of Psychology, Sport, and Health Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Harry Ramsey
harry.ramsey@port.ac.uk
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Applied Sport Psychology and Counseling (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Educational and Developmental Science
Contact Info:
Dr. Morgan Eckenrod, CMPC
ME43@mailbox.sc.edu
Dr. Eva Monsma, CMPC
EAVADOCZ@mailbox.sc.edu
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Psychology
Contact Info:
psych@uwf.edu
West Texas A&M University
Canyon, TX, USA
Degree(s):
Minor in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Sports and Exercise Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Michelle Bartlett, CMPC
mbartlett@wtamu.edu
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology (Website)
Minors in Sport and Performance Psychology (Website) and Exercise Psychology (Website)
Department:
WVU School of Sport Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Dana Voelker, CMPC
dkvoelker@mail.wvu.edu
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY, USA
Degree(s):
BA in Psychology with a concentration in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Psychology
Contact Info:
Dr. Steve Wininger
steven.wininger@wku.edu
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA, USA
Degree(s):
BS in Kinesiology with a specialization in Sport Psychology (Website)
Minor in Sport Psychology (Website)
Department:
Dept. of Health and Human Development (Kinesiology and Physical Education Program)
Contact Info:
Jen Leita, Academic Advisor
atwellj@wwu.edu
Dr. Linda Keeler, CMPC
Linda.Keeler@wwu.edu
Dr. Jessyca Arthur-Cameselle, CMPC
arthurj2@wwu.edu
