Bachelor's in Sports Psychology
What is a Sports Psychology Bachelor Degree?
Combine your passion for sports with your desire to understand human behavior. The Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sport Psychology degree at Grand Canyon University is a dynamic program that prepares students to excel in this field. Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this sport psychology degree is ideal for students with an interest in the performing arts, mental health, fitness and sports industries.
The core competencies and key concepts in sport psychology are applicable to diverse aspects of human life, beyond sports achievements. Examine the factors that lead people to strive for inner greatness. Explore how people are motivated to pursue objectives, and how to conduct assessments and implement interventional strategies to drive personal growth and improvement.
How Do You Become a Sport Psychologist?
A bachelor’s in sport psychology is the initial stepping stone for a high-level career in this field. While students work through this degree program, they develop a keen understanding of the external and internal influences on human performance and behaviors.
GCU seeks to graduate students who are effective communicators—able to convey complex information to a variety of audiences. This skill serves aspiring sport psychology professionals well, as they may work directly with athletes, managers or team directors.
Graduates will also have refined their servant leadership qualities, developed a greater appreciation for diverse populations and learned how to analyze ethical decisions made with the Christian worldview in mind.
Why Choose a BS in Sports Psychology Degree at Grand Canyon University?
GCU is a modern university with a supportive, welcoming learning community. This sport psychology degree is available through on-campus coursework. Alternatively, students may take online classes. This program requires 120 credits for completion. Most online classes are seven weeks long. Some of the sport psychology core classes include the following:
- Psychology of Coaching
- Introduction to Psychological Research and Ethics
- Experimental Psychology
- Social Psychology and Cultural Applications
- Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Leadership and Team Building
Additionally, students demonstrate the knowledge and skills they’ve acquired by completing the hands-on Professional Capstone Project. Students prepare a written proposal for their chosen research project. All research projects focus on developing solutions for real-world issues or problems in the field. The capstone provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their specialized knowledge in sport psychology and to explore how they might make a positive difference in their communities.
What Kind of Jobs Can You Get with a Bachelor’s in Sports Psychology?
Sports can bring out the best in a person, and a sport psychology expert can help. There are opportunities in sport psychology in multiple settings, including the following:
- Professional athletic teams
- High school and collegiate teams
- Community outreach programs
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Performance arts coaching and management
A sport psychologist may work with athletes ranging from Olympics and Special Olympics team members to amateur sports enthusiasts. To enhance their career qualifications, graduates with a bachelor of science in sports psychology may choose to pursue a master’s degree. Some high-level jobs in sport psychology may require a graduate degree. Clinical practice may require licensure.
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-112, Success in Science, Engineering and Technology & Lab: 4
- UNV-103, University Success: 4
- UNV-303, University Success: 4
- UNV-108, University Success in the College of Education: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-154, Applications of College Algebra: 4
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4
- PHI-105, 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 4
- BIO-220, Environmental Science: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- HIS-144, U.S. History Themes: 4
- PSY-102, General Psychology: 4
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This foundation course in the science of behavior includes an overview of the history of psychology, the brain, motivation, emotion, sensory functions, perception, intelligence, gender and sexuality, social psychology, human development, learning psychopathology, and therapy.
Course Description
This course serves as a foundation for undergraduates in the field of psychology. Professional skill development, such as an introduction to scientific reasoning, research foundations, critical thinking, literature reviews, and scholarly writing are covered, as well as contemporary ethical issues in the field of psychology. Students have the opportunity to apply guidelines proposed by the American Psychological Association Code of Ethics when exploring topics. Prerequisite: PSY-102.
Course Description
This writing intensive course is a study of the nature and causal determinants of human behavior, including the definition and scientific measurement of personality. Theories studied include the psychodynamic, Neo-Freudian, trait, biological, humanistic, cognitive, and behavioral theories. The Christian perspective on the nature of human personality is also explored. Prerequisite: PSY-102.
Course Description
Students entering Child and Adolescent Psychology gain a more in-depth knowledge of development from conception through adolescence. Major theories of physical, motor, emotional, and social development of children are critiqued and analyzed. Students engage in learning about the developmental milestones, personality, language, moral development, typical and atypical behaviors, and learning and cognition. An emphasis on research methodology and interpretation is used to analyze the concepts in this class.
Course Description
This course provides a study of social and group factors affecting individual behavior. Attention is given to the development of attitudes, roles, norms, group processes, aggression and cooperation, persuasion, stereotypes and prejudices, and social awareness. The role of culture in social processes is emphasized.
Course Description
This theoretical and research-based course covers psychosocial, emotional, physical, and cognitive aspects of human development from emerging adulthood to death. Theories of development and applications to real-world situations provide a context for understanding how humans transition across stages of adulthood to death. Scientific approaches for studying developmental psychology stress the importance of research methodology and research interpretation. Prerequisite: PSY-102.
Course Description
This course reflects psychology’s growing interest in health-related issues, and gives students an overview of the broad topics in health psychology. Topics include theories of health behavior, patient adherence, stress and pain development and management, cancer and chronic illness development and management, and health-related behaviors such as substance use, proper nutrition, and exercise. This course focuses on health from a biopsychosocial perspective. Prerequisite: PSY-102.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of factors influencing participation in individual or group sport and performance. Additionally, outcomes associated with performance are examined. Current theory and research are presented to develop an understanding of behaviors in sport and performance settings. Further, techniques applied to enhance sport performance are examined.
Course Description
This course is a study of elementary theories of probability, distribution, and testing of statistical hypotheses. Practical experience is provided in the application of statistical methods. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144 or MAT-154.
Course Description
This course includes an introduction to the experimental study of cognition and neurophysiology. Topics include sensation and perception, memory, learning, language, metacognition, intelligence, problem solving, decision-making, mental imagery, consciousness, attention, and the development of cognition through the life span. Major theoretical perspectives and current research within the fields of cognition and neuroscience are discussed. This course also provides students with a basic understanding of the neural underpinnings of a variety of cognitive processes. Prerequisite: PSY-102.
Course Description
This course examines intersections of sociological environments and sport both in North America and globally, including social and cultural theories of social class, education, gender, religion, ethnicity, and sexuality in sport.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to current research and theories regarding coach-athlete relationships and the coaching profession, including leadership, psychosocial factors, and performance of teams and athletes. Additionally, strategies for effective coaching are presented.
Course Description
This course is a laboratory course emphasizing both the theoretical and applied aspects of experimental design and research methodology. A variety of activities are performed in such areas as learning, motivation, and perception. Prerequisite: PSY-380.
Course Description
This course studies principles influencing team building strategies and leadership skills. Foundations such as servant, situational, and charismatic leadership are examined, including leadership qualities, skills, and cultural contexts.
Course Description
The capstone project is the culmination of learning experiences for students in the psychology program at Grand Canyon University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Students prepare a written proposal for a research project that focuses on the resolution of an issue or problem significant to professional psychological practice. The proposal includes a problem statement, review of literature, research methods, research questions, limitations, and ethical considerations for the research. The proposal needs to reflect synthesis and integration of course content and professional practice. The capstone project is guided by the baccalaureate program student learner outcomes. This capstone course needs to be completed at the end of program. Prerequisite: PSY-452.
Course Description
This is a writing intensive foundation course in the science of abnormal behavior that offers students the opportunity to study the origin and development of abnormal patterns and disorders. This course is designed to assist students in recognizing and understanding mental illness through increased awareness of emotional, functional, and physiological factors influencing mental health. Specific topics include symptoms, diagnoses, etiology, epidemiology, and treatment of various psychological disorders and syndromes.
Program Locations
Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
On-campus program disclosures (4 years)
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.