BS in Psychology: Sport and Performance Psychology Emphasis
BS in Psychology: Sport and Performance Psychology Emphasis
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Sports offer athletes many benefits, and a sport psychology expert can help them access those benefits by staying motivated and engaged. There are performance sports psychology career opportunities in multiple settings, including the following:1
A sports psychologist may work with athletes ranging from Olympics and Special Olympics team members to amateur sports enthusiasts. To position yourself for possible career advancement, you may choose to pursue a master’s degree. Most sport psychology careers require a graduate degree and clinical practice may require licensure. Licensure requirements can vary by state.2
Athletes often face significant pressure — both external and internal — to perform at their best. As a future sports psychology professional, you have the opportunity to support athletes in their quest for greatness. This performance and sport psychology emphasis offers a curriculum that will teach you about evidence-based psychological assessments and interventions.
All Psychology Emphases
When you’re ready to work toward a career in sport and performance psychology, the learning community at Grand Canyon University is here to welcome you. Apply today to get started on your psychology degree.
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
Before you decide whether to become a bachelor’s in psychology major, you may have some questions about the program. The following commonly asked questions and answers can help you get started on your research.
A BS in Psychology with a performance sports emphasis is the initial steppingstone that you can use to pursue an entry-level career in this field, such as some coaching and assistant coaching positions. In order to pursue higher level coaching and performance psychology positions, you will need to earn a master’s or doctorate, depending on your career goals.2
Performance and sports psychologists help athletes develop the mental resilience needed to achieve peak performance in life and in their sport. These psychologists work with professional and recreational athletes to identify problems that are disrupting performance. These can include lack of motivation, performance anxiety and trouble communicating with teammates. Sports psychologists apply evidence-based practices to help athletes enhance their participation and perform at an optimal level.
The level of education you need to become a sports psychologist depends on your career goals and the state requirements where you plan to practice. There are two types of sports psychologists — clinical psychologists and educational psychologists. To become a licensed clinical sports psychologist, you will need to complete sports psychology courses and earn a doctorate in psychology, practice for two years under a licensed psychologist and pass the licensure exam. Educational sports psychologists are typically advisors and do not diagnose and treat patients like clinical sports psychologists. Therefore, educational sports psychologists are not always licensed and may be able to work with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
There is a growing awareness of the need to care for the mental health of athletes. Athletes have been shown to suffer from the symptoms of depression at the same rate as the general population.3 Coaches and athletic organizations are realizing that the mindset and mental health of their athletes is just as important as their physical abilities. Furthermore, athletes understand that in order to perform at their peak level, they are required to tend to both their physical and mental needs. Sports psychologists play an important role in helping athletes navigate their mental health.
On any given day, sports psychologists can be found providing athletes with various strategies and techniques to help them overcome performance hurdles. For example, they help athletes enhance their performance with visualization, self-talk, relaxation and other mental strategies. They provide athletes with coping techniques to deal with the pressures of competition or with the pain and recovery of injuries. Sports psychologists also help athletes increase their motivation to keep up with their fitness regimens.
Combine your passion for sports with your desire to understand human behavior by pursuing a career in sport and performance psychology. The Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sport Psychology degree at Grand Canyon University teaches you the foundational knowledge in this field.
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this on-campus and online degree may be ideal for you if you have an interest in the performing arts, mental health, fitness and sports industries. As a performance and sports psychology emphasis student, you will be taught how to help all types of athletes and performance artists overcome psychological obstacles.
In this program, you will also have the opportunity to refine your servant leadership qualities, develop a greater appreciation for diverse populations and analyze ethical decisions made with the Christian worldview in mind.
GCU is a private university with a supportive, welcoming learning community. The bachelor’s in psychology with a performance sports emphasis is available through on-campus coursework. Alternatively, you may take online classes.
The core competencies and key concepts taught in these sports psychology courses are applicable to diverse aspects of human life beyond sports achievements. You will be prompted to examine the factors that lead people to strive for inner greatness. Your instructors will guide you in exploring how people are motivated to pursue objectives, and how to conduct assessments and implement interventional strategies that drive personal growth and improvement.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you will be taught by completing the hands-on professional capstone research project. All research projects in this program focus on developing solutions for realistic issues or problems in the field. The capstone provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your specialized knowledge in sport and performance psychology and to explore how you might make a positive difference in your community.
1 Cherry, K. (2023, Feb. 28). What Is Sports Psychology? VeryWell Mind. Retrieved on Aug. 14, 2023.
2 Psychology.org Staff. (2023, July 11). How To Become a Sports Psychologist. Psychology.org. Retrieved on Aug. 14, 2023.
3 Cleveland Clinic. (2021, Aug. 10). Athletes and mental health: breaking the stigma. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
