The top Sports Psychology masters programs online focus on the most affordable graduate degrees in Sports Psychology online. Earning an accelerated online Master’s in Sports Psychology is a great choice for professionals who are interested in improving athletic performance in both an academic or professional sports setting. The field is definitely in need of them because as the industry learns more about the impact psychology can play on athletic performance, more athletes are searching for professionals who can help them with their mental training. That’s why so many sports psychologists go back to school to earn a master’s degree.
Online Sports Psychology programs are the best choice for those who are already established in the field. Flexible and accommodating, these graduate programs can be completed whenever a student has time. Online learning enables students to take care of their personal and professional obligations while continuing their education. And, in the case of this ranking, all of these distance learning programs take students two years or less to complete, making them even more interesting to the professionals in the field.
Featured Schools:
Methodology for Ranking Low-Cost Accelerated Master’s in Sports Psychology
The research conducted for this ranking was done on the National Center for Education Statistics website and its publicly available College Navigator database. The initial pool of 25 schools was built just by searching for an online master’s degrees in sports psychology. The programs were then compared to each other based on factors such as tuition rates and plan of study timelines. The final 10 schools, which are listed below, were chosen for this ranking based on their total in-state tuition cost for the program.
10. Barry University
- Location: Miami Shores, Florida
- Degree: Master of Science in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
- Tuition: $35,640
- School: Website
Students at Barry University interested in becoming a mental coach or psychologist will be glad to find that this school’s accelerated online Master’s in Sports Psychology takes just two years to complete. In addition, students can also opt to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and add just one more year to their schooling.
All this is online, and students will complete just a few residencies to graduate. In addition, one of these sports psychology degree programs can lead to eligibility to sit for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology provisional status certification. And, students can complete all sport psychology courses online through the school’s learning management system.
Classes are in asynchronous or synchronous sessions that last 16 weeks. This degree program requires a practicum; students will be responsible for ensuring that they find a field placement that the department will approve of in their community. The online MS in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology requires 36 credit hours of coursework, a thesis, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Qualitative Analysis in Biomechanics, Performance Enhancement Techniques, Research Methods, Behavior Modification, and Professional Ethics in Sport Psychology, Exercise, and Performance Psychology.
9. Medaille College
- Location: Rochester, New York
- Degree: Master of Science in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology Online
- Tuition: $34,380
- School: Website
Medaille College confers a one-year Masters in Sports Psychology online degree that is 100 percent online with no residency requirements. This degree’s concentration in sports psychology is a recent addition to the online program. It is perfect for students who want to become performance psychologists for major sports teams or universities.
The sport psychology curriculum is all online through the school’s virtual portal. Courses meet in seven-week terms. Delivery of content is either asynchronously or synchronously for the student’s convenience. The curriculum is either a full-time or part-time plan of study. Furthermore, students who complete just two courses every term can finish this degree in less than one year.
Students will complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, a practicum, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Students can find more information on the program requirements and course offerings by talking to a graduate admissions advisor.
8. The University of the Rockies
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- Degree: MA in Psychology, Concentration in Sport and Performance Psychology Online
- Tuition: $33,423
- School: Website
Students at the University of the Rockies can earn an accelerated online masters in Sports Psychology that takes two years to complete. This sport psychology program will not lead to certification or licensure in the field. As a 100 percent online course of study, there are no residency requirements, practicums, or internships necessary for graduation. Students will complete their coursework online through the school’s learning management system.
Courses are lectures or skills labs and delivered in both asynchronous and synchronous formats. Sessions last for 16 weeks, so students who take three courses every term and take advantage of the summer term will be able to graduate within two years.
Students complete 39 credit hours of coursework, the Psychology of Personality capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Enhancing Health and Well-Being in Sports and Performance Settings, Introduction to Applied and Professional Psychology, and Learning Theory and Behavioral Applications. In addition, there is an online MA in Psychology in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University Rockies requires 39 credit hours of coursework.
7. National University
- Location: San Diego, California
- Degree: Online Master of Arts in Performance Psychology
- Tuition: $29,025
- School: Website
National University delivers an affordable accelerated online Master’s in Sports Psychology that students can complete within two years. In addition, this sport psychology degree program prepares students to sit for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology certification exam.
This is a 100 percent online course of study. So, no residency requirements exist. Online students complete all coursework through the school’s virtual portal. It is a platform on which students will attend asynchronous and synchronous lectures and turn in their assignments.
This sport psychology degree requires 67.5 quarter credit units for coursework, a fieldwork experience, a capstone project, and also a comprehensive written exit exam. Fieldwork experience is the only degree requirement that students cannot complete online. However, these placements take place in a student’s home community under the supervision of an approved preceptor. So, there are no trips to campus and no campus residency requirements.
Students who take three courses for every 16-week session can graduate in two years. Sample courses include Performance Consulting Skills, Ethics in Performance Psychology, and also Multicultural Issues in Performance Consultation.
6. The University of Western States
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Degree: Online Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology
- Tuition: $21,465
- School: Website
Students interested in the affordable accelerated online Master’s in Sports Psychology degree at the University of Western States will be provided with an excellent curriculum and a degree plan that will take two years to finish. This program is 100 percent online and does not require any campus residencies. Since this program will not lead to licensure or certification, there are also no fieldwork experience requirements.
This sport psychology degree offers four concentrations. They are Positive Coaching, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Positive Leadership and Administration, and Individual Studies. All of these concentrations benefit students who want to work in professional sports. Additionally, courses for this degree take place online through the use of asynchronous and synchronous sessions. Terms run in 16-week sessions during the academic year and vary in length during the summer. This degree provides all of the necessary information to advance a psychologist’s understanding of how mental performance can inform an athlete’s career.
Students must complete a minimum of 53 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and also a comprehensive written and oral exit exam.
5. California Southern University
- Location: Chandler, AZ
- Degree: Online Master of Science in Psychology, Concentration in Sports Psychology
- Tuition: $20,790
- School: Website
California Southern University is home to an affordable accelerated online master’s degree. This program provides students with a chance to advance in the world of sports psychology or give them a pathway into doctoral work. It is a 100 percent online sport psychology program that does not require that students attend campus for residency purposes.
All of the sports psychology concentration is online. So, students complete all of their required coursework through the school’s virtual portal. Courses are mostly asynchronous to accommodate working professionals. The sessions last 16 weeks and students who complete two or three courses every term can graduate within two years. Additionally, specialists currently working in the field developed the curriculum for the concentration. And it is a new addition to the psychology department.
To graduate, students must complete 36 credit hours of coursework, an applied sports psychology capstone, and also a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Psychology of Coaching, Current Issues in Sports Psychology, and also Enhancing Performance: Preparation and Motivation. The online MS in Psychology in Sports Psychology from California Southern University requires 36 credit hours of coursework.
4. Lock Haven University
- Location: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
- Degree: Online Master of Science in Sports Science, Sport and Exercise Psychology Track
- Tuition: $20,060
- School: Website
The one-year online Master’s in Sports Psychology degree from Lock Haven University is offered 100 percent online and is a part-time plan of study. This is a degree that will enable students to work as sports psychologists if they already have a license to practice psychology or advance their understanding of the sports field in which they are already established.
This sport psychology degree comes with two concentrations. Students can choose from Sport Administration or also Sport and Exercise Psychology. Additionally, this degree has no residency requirements and is completed through the school’s learning management system; courses are asynchronous and run for seven weeks. Students who take just two courses every term that is available will be eligible to graduate within one year. This degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam.
Sample courses include Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Stress Management for the Physically Active, and Psychology of Athletic Injury and Recovery. The online MS in Sport Science in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Lock Haven University requires 30 credit hours of coursework.
3. PennWest California
- Location: California, Pennsylvania
- Degree: Online Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Concentration in Sport Psychology
- Tuition: $18,000
- School: Website
PennWest California University offers students the chance to complete a one-year online master’s in Sports Psychology degree. This program expands career options. Available in both part-time and full-time degree study plans, students who choose to attend class full time will complete the degree in one year. While part-time students complete the degree in 17 months.
There are five concentrations in this sport psychology degree program. They include athletic Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation Science, Wellness Coaching, and Wellness and Fitness. Sport psychology students can opt to complete two concentrations and complete their degree in 18 months. The curriculum for this program is entirely online through the school’s learning management system. Courses are asynchronously and synchronously in eight-week sessions. This degree requires 36 credit hours of coursework, a research capstone project, and a comprehensive oral exit exam.
Sample courses include Nutrition for Peak Performance, Current Topics in Performance Enhancement, and Exercise Physiology: Assessment and Exercise Prescription. The online MS in Exercise Science and Health Promotion in Sport Psychology from the California University of Pennsylvania offers five-degree concentrations.
2. The University of West Alabama
- Location: Livingston, Alabama
- Degree: MS in Experimental Psychology, Concentration in Health and Sports Psychology Online
- Tuition: $15,444
- School: Website
Students at the University of West Alabama can earn a 12-month online master’s in Sports Psychology degree wholly online, allowing them to continue with their personal and professional obligations while reaching new heights in their education.
This sport psychology degree has no residency requirements and does not offer a pathway toward licensure. Students will complete this degree entirely online through the use of the school’s virtual portal, where courses are delivered asynchronously and synchronously in eight-week sessions. This program is comprehensive and requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, a practicum, a master’s thesis, and a comprehensive oral exit exam.
Sample sport psychology courses include Psychology and Sociology of Human Performance, Professional Orientation and Ethics, and Exercise Psychology. The online MS in Experimental Psychology in Health and Sports Psychology from the University of West Alabama requires 36 credit hours of coursework.
1. Adams State University
- Location: Alamosa, Colorado
- Degree: Online Master of Arts in Applied Sport Psychology
- Tuition: $15,228
- School: website
Adams State University confers an affordable, accelerated online master’s in Sports Psychology that students complete in two years. This sport psychology program prepares students to sit for the Certified Consultant exam that is administered by the Association for Applied Sports Psychology.
This program is taken 100 percent online with no residency requirements. The only requirement that a student will be required to complete in their community is the internship, which must be supervised by an approved preceptor.
This degree is found online through the school’s learning management system and is delivered through asynchronous and synchronous sessions that last for 16 weeks. Students will be expected to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, an internship, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Statistical Methods and Human Performance, Mental Strength and Conditioning, and Case Studies in Applied Sport Psychology.
What are the Career Options for an Accelerated Online Master’s in Sports Psychology Degree?
A sport psychology professional has numerous career paths and career opportunities. The three major career paths are through institutions of higher education, the military, and private practice. Listed below are some job titles for graduates of a sport psychology master’s program.
- Applied Sports Psychologist
- University Team Coach
- Sports Psychology Professor
- Clinical Sports Psychologist
- Sports Research Specialist
- College Team Psychologist
- Sports Rehabilitation Therapist
- High School Coach
- Sport-Specific Personal Coaching
- Performance Psychologist
- Academic Sports Psychologist
- Cognitive Performance Specialist
- Contract Educational Psychologist
- Director of Sports Psychology
- Behavioral Sports Psychologist
- Mental performance consultant/coach
- Mental conditioning coach
- Certified Mental Performance Consultant
- Master resilience trainer (MRT)
- Cognitive enhancement specialist
- Collegiate/professional/youth sports
- Athletic administration
- Teaching and Academia
- Sport Psychologists
- Private practice
- HR Consulting with Businesses
How Long Does it Take to Complete an Online Master’s in Sports Psychology?
It takes most online students in the sport psychology master’s degree programs about two years to complete. Furthermore, there are accelerated online master’s in sports psychology programs that graduate students can complete in less time.
What are the Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Sports Psychology?
The requirements for program admission vary from school to school. However, most sports management programs require learners to submit one or more of the following items to demonstrate competency.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree, typically in psychology, sport science, or a related field.
- Submit official transcripts from all accredited institutions attended with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Submit GRE scores.
- Submit a current curriculum vitae.
- Personal statement outlining the student’s career and scholarly goals.
- Letters of recommendation from professors.
- Receipt of acceptable scores on any required field or clinical internships.
- Complete a personal interview with members of the graduate-level sports psychology team.
What is the Sports Management Job Outlook?
Sports psychologists are in high demand by both notable athletes and championship teams. It is possible to get here, but it takes hard work and dedication to the craft. The field of sport psychology has expanded over the last few years and the outlook for those pursuing careers in sports management is bright.
As consumer interest and participation in sports and recreation activities continues to grow, demand for sports-related services is rising. Jobs in the sports field are expected to grow 13% through 2031, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Companies in sports marketing and public relations, stadium and arena management, athletic facility management, sports information and media production, retail and event management, and sports executive management are expected to lead the way in employment growth.
How Much Can You Earn in the Sports Psychology Field?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary range for sports psychology professionals is between $42,000 to $72,000. However, when all positions that require a degree in sports psychology are considered, the range is between $40,000 to $150,000.
This range takes into account professionals who work in public and private settings, at schools, for national sports teams, or work with high-profile athletes. While the median range in this field is actually quite high, professionals who complete a master’s degree in this field and continue to improve their training and education will find that they can earn six figures or more. This is generally reserved for professionals who work in the professional sports world.
Additionally, online job sites offer information on how much a Sports Psychologist can make. Below are salaries from three popular job search and salary sites.
| Source | Salary |
|---|---|
| ZipRecruiter | $93,038 |
| Salary dot com | $72,708 |
| Comparability | $99,793 |
What are the Various Disciplines of Sports Psychology?
There are several disciplines involved with sports psychology. First and foremost, however, it is a field that deals with the relationship between psychology, sport, and the human body. This means that professionals will need to have a strong understanding of both natural and social sciences.
Professionals will work mostly with the sub-discipline of performance psychology, which is sometimes referred to as mental training. They also focus on human anatomy, kinesiology, human behavior, dietetics, personal training, health, medicine, chemistry, biology, and more in order to help their clients reach their performance goals. They will also have to learn how to use soft skills when in sessions with their clients; these include interpersonal and communication skills.
Do All Online Graduate Sports Psychology Programs Lead to Licensure or Certification?
Many graduate online sports psychology programs do not lead to licensure or certification. The programs merely provide the education necessary to be able to understand psychology in sports settings. For online programs, making the decision to have certification or endorsements available isn’t up to the school but rather the American Psychological Association and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
Sport psychology licensure is generally only conferred at the doctoral level; the only endorsement a professional can receive at the graduate level is the Certified Consultant certification from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. This certification requires an internship and a practicum as well as the completion of certain courses approved by the association.
Sports Psychology Certifications
What is CMPC certification? The AASP offers the Certified Mental Performance Consultant certification (CMPC) for professionals who meet the educational and experience requirements and can pass a certification exam. The CMPC certification is for those with a masters or doctorate degree and significant professional experience.
What is the Best Specialization for Sports Psychology Masters Programs Online?
The best specialization in sports psychology depends on a variety of factors, such as an individual’s career goals, area of expertise, and personal interests. Before committing to a specialization, students should take the time to research various areas and consider which type of practice best suits their individual needs. Common specializations within the field include:
- Sociocultural Perspectives in Sport
- Sport Performance Enhancement
- Mental Skills, Training, and Development
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Motivation in Sport
How Much Does it Cost to Get an Online Master’s in Sports Psychology?
Some online master’s in sports psychology programs offer cost savings through scholarships, grants, and discounts to alumni or other special groups. The amount of tuition students pay has several factors.
Most online sports psychology courses are 3 credits each. So, at a per credit rate of $500 per credit, a three-credit class would cost $1,500. Financial aid is also available at most schools.
What are the Benefits of Online Sport Psychology Programs?
Is a masters in sports psychology worth it? Not all schools on this ranking, or in the country in general, have been approved by the Association for Applied Sports Psychology to prepare students for the exam. This limits the number of online programs that can offer this to their graduates.
Another thing to keep in mind is that online psychology programs need to be flexible and accommodating. Many professionals in this field take a master’s degree in order to advance their position but not actually work as sports psychology professionals.
This means that online schools can choose to cut practicum and internship requirements from their programs, allowing these professionals to not have to worry about taking on a second job while completing their master’s in Sports Psychology degree.
Professional Organizations for Sports Psychology
- Association for Applied Sports Psychology (AASP) – website
- International Society of Sports Psychology (ISSP) – website
- Division 47 of the American Psychological Association (APA) – website
- International Institute for Sport and Human Performance – website
Your Career in Sports Psychology
Athletes from all sports and athletic levels benefit from sports psychology. Whether they’re trying to get faster on the track or trying to swim their best lap ever, the field breaks through mental barriers and helps prove to the world what the human body is actually capable of. When professionals in the field are ready to advance their career, all they have to do is take into consideration one of the accelerated online master’s in sports psychology degrees above to get started on the journey.
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