About This Program

Admissions Contact

Rachel Ahlmeyer
Graduate Recruiter and Admissions Coordinator
School of Physical Education, Performance, and Sport Leadership
rahlmeyer@springfieldcollege.edu
(413) 748-3383 
Make an appointment 

Program Contact

Jasmin Hutchinson, PhD
Program Director for Sport and Exercise Psychology
Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training
(413) 748-3601
jhutchinson@springfield.edu

Check out our outcomes.

Undergraduate prerequisites

  • Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Physiology of Exercise

*Students are still encouraged to apply if they do not have the prerequisites mentioned. However, students are expected to complete these courses during their first year in the program.

Class size: 30

Looking for a doctoral program?

We also offer a PhD in sport and exercise psychology.

Looking for an online program?

We also offer a MEd in Sport and Exercise Psychology completely online.

Deciding between athletic counseling and sport and exercise psychology? We can help.

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Upcoming Sport and Exercise Psychology Events

Stay tuned for information on upcoming events!

The Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology is designed for students with a scholarly and applied interest in the field. There is a focus on a theoretical understanding of sport and exercise from psychological, physiological, and sociocultural viewpoints. The interdisciplinary nature of this unique program provides graduates with the ability to translate theory to practice and equips them with the requisite skills to help individuals in sport and exercise contexts maximize their performance.

The graduate student pursuing the Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology will complete coursework in the theory, measurement, and application of sport and exercise psychology, as well as related coursework (e.g. exercise physiology, motor development/control) for a holistic approach. Students will have the opportunity to select between a traditional “thesis” track for the MS degree and a "non-thesis” track for the MEd degree. Students may elect to complete both tracks with permission from their advisor and graduate program director.   Details about these tracks are provided below.

By the end of the first year and after consulting with advisor/sport and exercise psychology program faculty, students will elect the program they wish to pursue.

*The basic program requires a minimum of 36 credits of graduate coursework. Students who receive a grade of C+ or lower in any three courses will be dismissed from the program.

MS - Thesis Track

The thesis track enables students to pursue their own research interests, with faculty supervision. This track is strongly recommended for anyone who wants to continue on to a PhD program. Students will be involved in all aspects of the research process; conceptualization and design, data collection, data analysis and results write up. This track will culminate with a written thesis and an oral defense (examination) related to the project.

MEd - Non-thesis Track

The applied track enables students to become integrated with collegiate and high school sports programs providing sport and exercise psychology services. This track is strongly recommended for anyone who hopes to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. Students will be involved in all aspects of the applied practice process, which includes the conceptualization, development, and implementation of a consulting approach/philosophy, needs assessments, curriculum designs, and evaluations of effectiveness. This track will culminate with a written portfolio and oral defense (examination) related to their applied work throughout their program.

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 two letters of recommendation. At least one of the recommendations must be from faculty members who can address your academic capability. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.

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. Other tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our language requirements for more information on acceptable tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and conditional acceptance. 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 (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations.

The staff in the Office of International Admissions can assist you with questions you may have about enrolling at Springfield College as an international student by emailing intladmissions@springfieldcollege.edu.

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 their 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 Overview

Thesis Curriculum (MS)   Non-thesis Curriculum (MEd)
Research Requirement (12 SH) SH   Research Requirement (3 SH) SH
RSCH 610
Found. & Methods of Research
3   RSCH 610
Found. & Methods of Research
3
RSCH 620
Educ. & Psyc. Stats
3   Applied Requirements (6 SH)  
RSCH 612
Proposal Design
2   AEXS 689
Internship in Sport Psychology
3
RSCH 635
Thesis
4   AEXS 690
Capstone in Sport and Exercise Psychology
3
Program Requirements (21 SH)   Program Requirements (21 SH)
AEXS 676
Exercise Psychology
3   AEXS 676
Exercise Psychology
3
AEXS 678
Sport Psychology
3   AEXS 678
Sport Psychology
3
AEXS 610
Advanced Exercise Physiology
3   AEXS 610
Advanced Exercise Physiology
3
AEXS 679
Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology
3   AEXS 679
Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology
3
PHED 620: Philosophy of Sport OR PHED 658: Sport in Society 3   PHED 620: Philosophy of Sport OR PHED 658: Sport in Society 3
MOST 624: Motor Learning & Control OR PHED 635: Motor Development and Analysis 3   MOST 624: Motor Learning & Control OR PHED 635: Motor Development and Analysis 3
AEXS 685
Measurement in Sport and Exercise Psychology
3   AEXS 685
Measurement in Sport and Exercise Psychology
3
Electives (3 SH)   Electives (6 SH)
    *These can be tailored to student interests in consultation with the student's advisor. Options include taking more AASP requirements, courses of interest/relevance such as advanced level coaching, and/or taking an internship

 

View the catalog.

APPLY ONLINE

The priority application deadline for applying for the fall semester is March 15.

All required supporting materials are due April 1.

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