Undergraduate Programs in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
With the rise in publicity and popularity of sport, exercise, and performance psychology (SEPP), 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 SEPP, which embed the specialized SEPP courses within a major’s curriculum. Given the unique demands and opportunities in the field, especially applied work in performance enhancement and CMPC® certification*, students may be best served to major in Psychology or Kinesiology and minor in Sport, Exercise, and/or Performance Psychology, or vice versa depending on your university’s academic programs. Students should conduct careful research on programs of interest to determine which options best meet their needs.
*Please note a Master's or Doctoral degree would be required to apply for CMPC® certification, although several Standard Practitioner coursework requirements can be met with upper-division undergraduate courses.
The institutions below have established majors, minors, or concentrations in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology:
Adams State College
Alamosa, CO
Major Website
Minor Website
Degree:
BA
Both degrees (major and minor) are in Sport Psychology.
Department:
Dept. of Psychology in collaboration with the Dept. of Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Brian Zuleger
brianzuleger@adams.edu
Ball State University
Muncie, IN
Minor Website
Degree:
Minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Department:
School of Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Jean-Charles Lebeau
jlebeau@bsu.edu
Barry University
Miami Shores, FL
Major Website
Minor Website
Degree:
BS
Degree is in Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences with a concentration in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology. A minor in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology is also available to Psychology majors.
Department:
Dept. of Exercise and Sport Science
Contact Info:
Dr. Kimberly Shaffer
Kshaffer@barry.edu
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
Major Website (Behavioral Science)
Major Website (Psychology)
Degree:
BA
Department:
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Degrees are in Behavioral Science or Psychology with a concentration in Sport Psychology available for both.
Contact Info:
Dr. Ed Garrett
egarrett@calbaptist.edu
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Major Website
Degree:
BS
Degree is in Kinesiology with an option in Sport Psychology and Leadership.
Department:
Dept. of Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Leilani Madrigal
Leilani.madrigal@csulb.edu
Dr. Jana Fogaca
Jana.Fogaca@csulb.edu
Dr. Alison Ede
Alison.ede@csulb.edu
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA
Major/Concentration Website
Degree:
BA
Degree is in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science and emphasis in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. Many students who are interested in sport/exercise/performance psychology choose to double major in Kinesiology and Psychology.
Department:
Dept. of Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Christi Johnson
cjohnson@cornellcollege.edu
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
Minor Website
Degree:
Minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Department:
Dept. of Exercise & Sport Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Greg Shelley
gshelley@ithaca.edu
Dr, Justine Vosloo
jvosloo@ithaca.edu
Keene State College
Keene, NH
Minor Website
Degree:
Minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Department:
Dept. of Human Performance and Movement Science
Contact Info:
Dr. Melanie Adams
madams4@keene.edu
Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, PA
Minor Website
Degree:
Degree is a minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Department:
Dept. of Health and Exercise Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Patricia Lally
plally@lockhaven.edu
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA
Minor Website
Degree:
Degree is a minor in Sport, Health, and Exercise Psychology.
Department:
Dept. of Psychology
Contact Info:
Dr. Matthew Bejar
mbejar@mtmercy.edu
National University
San Diego, CA
Major Website
Degree:
BA
Onsite and online courses pre-reviewed to meet AASP Certification requirements.
Department:
Dept. of Psychology
Contact Info:
Dr. Douglas Barba
dbarba@nu.edu
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
Oslo, Norway
Major Website
Degree:
BS
Degree is a major in Coaching and Sport Psychology.
Department:
Dept. of Sport and Social Sciences
Contact Info:
Professor Anne Marte Pensgaard
annemp@nih.no
Olivet College
Olivet, MI
Degree:
Degree: Bachelor of Art Degree, Minor and Major
Department:
Department of Health & Human Performance
Contact Info:
Dr. Nancy Van Hoozier
nvanhoozier@olivetcollege.edu
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA
Minor Website
Degree:
Degree is a Minor in Exercise and Sport Psychology.
Department:
Dept. of Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Mallory Mann
mannmf@plu.edu
Robert Morris University
Pittsburgh, PA
Major Website
Degree:
BS
Degree is in Psychology with a concentration in Sport Psychology.
Department:
Dept. of Psychology and Health Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Samantha Monda
monda@rmu.edu
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
Minor Website
Degree:
Minor is available in Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Department:
Dept. of Health and Exercise Science
Contact Info:
Dr. JoAnne Bullard
bullardj@rowan.edu
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX
Major Website
Minor Website
Degree:
BS
Degree is in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science/Performance Psychology. Minors are available in Performance Psychology and Coaching.
Department:
Dept. of Health and Kinesiology
Contact Info:
Dr. Amber M. Shipherd
amber.shipherd@tamuk.edu
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX
Minor Website
Minor is available in Sport Psychology
Department:
Dept. of Psychology
Contact Info:
psychology@txstate.edu
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
Major Website
Minor Website
Degree:
BS
Both degrees (major and minor) are in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Department:
College of Physical Activity & Sport Sciences
Contact Info:
Dr. Scott Barnicle
scott.barnicle@mail.wvu.edu
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
Major Website
Degree:
BA
Degree is in Psychology with a concentration in Sport Psychology.
Department:
Dept. of Psychology
Contact Info:
Dr. Steve Wininger
steven.wininger@wku.edu
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL
Minor Website
Degree:
Minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Department:
Dept. of Psychology
Contact Info:
psych@uwf.edu
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA
Major Website
Minor Website
Degree:
BS
Degree is in Kinesiology with a specialization in Sport Psychology. A minor in Sport Psychology is also available
Department:
Dept. of Health & Human Development
Contact Info:
Dr. Linda Keeler
Linda.Keeler@wwu.edu
Dr. Jessyca Arthur-Cameselle
Jessyca.arthur-cameselle@wwu.edu