This online(See disclaimer 1 )PhD in General Psychology: Performance Psychology is designed for learners who are passionate about understanding and enhancing human performance. This program examines how emotions, cognition and motivation impact peak performance, including professional and psychomotor contexts. Often referred to as peak performance psychology, this field focuses on the mental processes that drive excellence in intense performance situations such as sports, business and the performing arts.(See disclaimer 2)Â
Students in this program are taught to apply psychological principles to improve focus, resilience and overall human effectiveness. Graduates of the program will have been taught to conduct research and apply evidence-based strategies that enhance performance. Please note that this degree does not lead directly to licensure. Admission requires a graduate degree.
Enhance your skills by mastering the science of motivation and human performance. GCU’s qualitative PhD in General Psychology: Performance Psychology is tailored for those looking to understand how psychological principles influence peak performance across industries.
Professionals in medicine, business, sales, marketing or aiming for a career in the field can equip themselves with the research skills and practical methodology needed to complete a dissertation and contribute valuable insights to the field. You will explore how emotion, cognition and motivation affect performance in high-pressure environments, which can prepare you to unlock human potential wherever excellence is essential.
Aspects of the Field
Study Performance Psychology With Online Flexibility
Residency Opportunities
Developed by the College of Doctoral Studies, this emphasis analyzes the interactions of emotion, cognition and behavior in performance settings. It covers psychomotor skill development, behavior modification strategies and psychological approaches to leadership and team dynamics. The program aims to translate psychological theory into actionable strategies that enhance individual and group performance.
In addition, graduates examine:
Factors affecting individual behavior
Mass communication’s impact on social awareness and control
The construction, analysis and interpretation of psychological tests
Measurement of learning outcomes
How to improve learning and performance conditions
Dimensions impacting information processing, decision making and regulating emotions
Pursuing the qualitative general psychology: performance psychology doctorate offers an opportunity to expand your skill set through the development of original research and a deeper understanding of how and why people think, believe and behave, especially in high-performance environments. This program emphasizes the psychological factors that influence human performance, including emotion, cognition and motivation.
Unlike GCU’s quantitative PhD in General Psychology: Performance Psychology, which centers on creating sampling plans and analyzing numeric data, the qualitative approach focuses on exploring lived experiences and uncovering insights through interviews, observations and thematic analysis. Both tracks aim to build expertise in human performance psychology, but the qualitative doctorate allows for a more nuanced exploration of the mental processes that drive excellence.
The online(See disclaimer 1) PhD in General Psychology: Performance Psychology can open doors to various fields, including higher education, fitness and nutrition, research and training.(See disclaimer 3) As a doctoral learner, you are guided to develop the skills necessary for consulting or leading change within an organization.
Doctoral graduates with relevant credentials may pursue roles in areas such as:
Sports performance psychology
Social science research
Postsecondary education
Median annual wage for postsecondary psychology teachers in May 2024(See disclaimer 4)
Estimated growth for postsecondary psychology teachers expected from 2024 to 2034(See disclaimer 5)
GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university that prioritizes academic excellence and quality instruction. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968, and the College of Doctoral Studies shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
If you are interested in a performance psychology career, learn more about the field and earning your PhD in General Psychology from GCU.
What is performance psychology?
Is a PhD in General Psychology: Performance Psychology worth it?
What’s the difference between performance psychology and organizational psychology?
To learn more about time to completion and the dissertation process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.
Become a catalyst for change by pursuing your general psychology: performance psychology PhD at GCU.
Visit the "State Disclosures" section on the page of the program you’re interested in at gcu.edu for details on state restrictions.
(See disclaimer §) MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-Jan2026: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in January 2026. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship or awards and only applies to online and evening programs. Please speak to a university counselor for complete details.
Program has residencies that take place on or near GCU's campus.
