Sport and Exercise Psychology

About This Program
	Degree Earned You'll earn a PhD in sport and exercise psychology.
	Check out our outcomes.
	Looking for a master's degree? We also offer a Master of Science or Master of Education in sport and exercise psychology.
	Contact Jasmin Hutchinson, PhD Director for Sport and Exercise Psychology Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training (413) 748-3601 jhutchinson@springfield.edu
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The sport and exercise psychology doctoral specialization encompasses the scientific, sociological, psychological, and research bases of sport necessary to work with athletes in a performance enhancement context.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be prepared for certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), in conjunction with the United States Olympic Committee(USOC).

Upon graduation, you will be prepared to teach sport and exercise psychology and related disciplines at all educational levels. You also will be prepared to contribute to the current knowledge base of the field by continuing research in sport and exercise psychology, and to work as a sport psychology consultant at all levels for athletes, athletic departments, coaches, exercise and fitness programs, and national governing bodies of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and USOC.

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Admissions Requirements

Complete the application form. No application fee.

Start your application process by completing the online application form. Be sure to complete your application by submitting all the required materials outlined in this section.

Graduate Admissions Essay

Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials. Once you login to your application portal you'll be able to upload your essay.

In two to three double-spaced pages, please describe your interest in sport and exercise psychology, your career goals in the field, and why you have chosen to apply to Springfield College.

Resume

Please include any college activities, out-of-school leadership experiences, work history, and community involvement to support your interest in or qualifications for graduate study. Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials. Once you login to your application portal you'll be able to upload your resume.

Letters of Recommendation

This program requires three letters of recommendation. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.

GRE

This program requires the GRE.

The Springfield College GRE code is 3763.

You will be able to input your scores on your application, but please make sure your official scores are submitted.

Interview

This program requires an interview.

Official Transcripts from All Institutions Previously/Currently Attended

An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required.
Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. In some cases, including if you plan to request coursework be transferred, a course-by-course translation is required. For this we recommend the World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu, or mailed to the college address:
Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109

International Applicants

All international applicants from non-English speaking countries are required, in addition to the items listed above, to submit:

Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed College level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. In some cases, including if you plan to request coursework be transferred, a course-by-course translation is required. For this we recommend the World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.

Our Associate Director of International Admissions Nicholas Venn can answer any questions you may have about enrolling in Springfield College as an international student. You may email him at nvenn@springfield.edu or via phone at (413) 748-3891.

To submit materials:

After submitting your online application form you will receive user login credentials to access your student application portal. From that portal, you will be able to upload your Graduate Admissions Essay and your resume. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu, or mailed to the college address:

Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109

Curriculum

A. Sport and Exercise Psychology Requirements (16 credits)

AEXS 678 - Sport Psychology Credits: 3
AEXS 679 - Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology Credits: 3
AEXS 685 - Seminar in Psychometrics Credits: 3
AEXS 694 - Special Topics: Professional Seminars Credits: 1-3
(Under the advisement of the academic advisor, students must register for a Special Topics course (AEXS 694: Special Topics :Professional Seminars) each semester that such a course is offered during the student’s full-time study at Springfield College for a minimum total of 8 credits)

B. Related Coursework (27 credits)

AEXS 610 - Advanced Exercise Physiology Credits: 3
AEXS 677 - Stress Management Credits: 3
AEXS 689 - Internship in Sport Psychology Credits: 1-3
(must be taken for a minimum of 3 credits to meet program requirements)
COUN 617 - Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Credits: 3
COUN 622 - Counseling Theories Credits: 3
MOST 624 - Motor Learning and Control Credits: 3
MOST 629 - Heritage and Values of Movement and Sport Credits: 3
or
PHED 620 - Philosophy of Sport Credits: 3
PHED 635 - Motor Development and Analysis Credits: 3
PHED 658 - Sport in Society Credits: 3

C. Research (34 credits)

RSCH 610 - Foundations and Methods of Research Credits: 3
RSCH 615 - Qualitative Research Methodology Credits: 3
RSCH 620 - Educational and Psychological Statistics I Credits: 3
Research Competency Credits: 4

(This refers to a master’s thesis or individual research project. The academic advisor and Program Coordinator, et their discretion, may approve work already done in the area).
RSCH 712 - Dissertation Proposal Design Credits: 2
(Registration for this course depends on the time when a student selects a dissertation topic).
RSCH 720 - Educational Psychology Statistics II Credits: 3
RSCH 735 - Doctoral Dissertation Credits: 1-14
(taken for a total of 14 credits to meet program requirements)
RSCH 740 - Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling Credits: 2

D. Preparing Future Faculty Series (7 credits)

PHED 710 - Doctoral Seminar Credits: 2
PHED 715 - Instructional Effectiveness in Higher Education Credits: 3
PHED 718 - Seminar in Higher Education Credits: 2

E. General Education (6 credits)

Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following courses:

BUSM 660 - Law, Ethics, and Corporate Social Responsibility Credits: 3
COUN 634 - Human Development Across the Lifespan Credits: 3
COUN 670 - Needs of the Aging Credits: 3
EDUC 619 - Contemporary Issues in Education Credits: 3
EDUC 637 - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credits: 3
EDUC 655 - Higher Education in America Credits: 3
PSYC 638 - Adult Development and Learning Credits: 3
PSYC 670 - Psychology of the College-Age Adult Credits: 3
PSYC 680 - Group Dynamics Credits: 3

F. Electives (to total a minimum of 90 credits)

The actual number of semester hours is likely to be more than the minimum previously stated. Flexibility is encouraged in order to provide for the special and unique needs of each individual student as determined by the academic advisor and approved by the Program Coordinator. The requirements in each case will be determined, not only on the extent of graduate credit accumulated, but also in view of an optimum preparation for the student’s intended field of service. The entire doctoral program, including the areas of specialization will be oriented toward the development of the student in reciprocal relationship to the community from local to international levels.

View the catalog.

Deadline

APPLY ONLINE

Completed applications and all required supporting materials are due by January 15.

Cost