Overview
Florida is a respectable location to learn about and possibly even engage in the field of sports psychology which refers to the application of psychology to an athlete’s personality in an effort to enhance both their on- and off-field athletic performance. It prepares the athlete for competitive settings so that they can give their all by utilizing aspects of the human mind, behavior, and mental processes. Sports psychology programs lead to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Bachelor’s degree programs include general education and fundamental psychology courses, as well as core courses focused on sports psychology. In this type of program, you may complete a research project, fieldwork, and/or an internship. Graduates can work as coaches, sports marketers, or sports treatment assistants, or they can continue their education.
At the graduate level, on the other hand, your courses will be focused on sports psychology topics, and they may include research and fieldwork in addition to thorough exams and thesis requirements. If you have a graduate degree, you can work in some of the same fields as people with bachelor’s degrees, but you can also work in professional sports consultancy, sports counseling, or university education teaching. Some counseling positions may require a license or certification.
Continue reading for more information on the degree options available at these Florida accredited universities.
What Will I Learn in A Sports Psychology Program?
Degree Timelines
A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years of full-time study, whereas a master’s degree usually takes two years. The majority of PhD programs in sport psychology require four to seven years of full-time study to complete. Some programs require additional specialization and research after receiving a PhD in clinical psychology.
Curriculum and Example Courses
No matter what level of program you enroll in, you will most likely have similar core courses. The following is a list of the required core courses in sports psychology, followed by descriptions of four sports psychology courses.
- Performance enhancement
- Coaching
- Anatomy and physiology
- Sports counseling
- Sports psychology culture
- Motor learning
- Sport biomechanics
- Health psychology
Psychology of Injury
This course analyzes how psychological factors affect injuries and how injuries affect mental processes. Depending on the program, this course may also cover some basic psychological counseling techniques related to the treatment of injured patients.
Psychology of Physical Activity and Sports
In this introductory course, you will learn how psychological theory and research can be applied to our understanding of sports and physical activity. You might learn more about how the mind and outside factors that influence sports interact. Topics such as competition, motivation, and group dynamics are all required.
Psychological Perspectives on Performance
In this course, you will learn how psychological traits such as aggression can affect a person’s physical performance. You study methods to improve performance by comprehending and considering psychological factors.
Social Psychology in Sports
This course explores the roles of group psychology and sports performance. You can study how social and cultural factors influence physical activity participation.
What Are The Standard Entrance Requirements to Enroll?
Bachelor’s degrees in sports psychology are rare. Those that do exist are usually related to the specialization of a psychology degree. Applications for these undergraduate programs commonly have fewer requirements. Graduate admissions committees, on the other hand, frequently seek references and expertise in athletics, coaching, psychology research, or other related fields, as well as a minimum GPA of 3.0 and higher-than-average GRE scores.
| School Name | City | State | Program Level | Program Name | Program URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry University | Miami | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Flagler College | Augustine | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor's in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida International University | Miami | Florida | Bachelors | BS in Recreation & Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor's in School of Business - Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor of Science in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Full Sail University | Winter Park | Florida | Bachelors | Online Sports Marketing and Media Bachelor of Science Degree | Click Here |
| Full Sail University | Winter Park | Florida | Bachelors | Sports Marketing and Media Bachelor of Science | Click Here |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville | Florida | Bachelors | Online B.S. in Sport Business | Click Here |
| Johnson and Wales University (Miami, FL) | Providence | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor's in Sports/Entertainment/Event Management | Click Here |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sports Management | Click Here |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Bachelors | B.S.B.A. in Sport & Recreation Management | Click Here |
| Saint Leo University | St. Leo | Florida | Bachelors | Online B.A. in Sport Business | Click Here |
| Southeastern University | Lakeland | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| St. Thomas University | Miami Gardens | Florida | Bachelors | BA or BBA in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| Stetson University | DeLand | Florida | Bachelors | B.B.A. in Sport Business | Click Here |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor's in Sports & Fitness | Click Here |
| University of Florida | Gainesville | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor of Science in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Miami | Miami | Florida | Bachelors | Online B.S.Ed. in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables | Florida | Bachelors | B.S.Ed. in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Bachelors | Online B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Tampa | Tampa | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor's in Health, Leisure & Exercise Science - Sport Management | Click Here |
| Warner University | Lake Wales | Florida | Bachelors | B.A. in Sports Management | Click Here |
| Webber International University | Babson Park | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Barry University | Miami | Florida | Masters | M.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida International University | Miami | Florida | Masters | MS in Recreation & Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida State University | Jacksonville | Florida | Doctorate | Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida State University | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | Master of Science in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | Online Master of Education with a concentration of Sport Management & Leadership | Click Here |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton | Florida | Masters | MBA with a Sports and Athletics Administration | Click Here |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort-Lauderdale-Davie | Florida | Masters | M.B.A. with a concentration in Sport Revenue | Click Here |
| Saint Leo University | St. Leo | Florida | Masters | Online Master of Business Administration - Sport Business Concentration | Click Here |
| Southeastern University | Lakeland | Florida | Masters | MBA with a concentration in Sport Management | Click Here |
| St. Thomas University | Miami Gardens | Florida | Masters | JD/MS or JD/MBA in Sports Administration | Click Here |
| St. Thomas University | Miami Gardens | Florida | Masters | MS or MBA in Sports Administration | Click Here |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando | Florida | Masters | Master's in Sport Business Management | Click Here |
| University of Florida | Coral Gables | Florida | Doctorate | Juris Doctor/Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Florida | Coral Gables | Florida | Masters | Master of Science in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables | Florida | Masters | Online M.S. Ed. in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables | Florida | Masters | M.S. Ed. in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | Online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Athletic Administration | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | Online MBA in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | Online Sport Management Graduate Certificate | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | MBA in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Webber International University | Babson Park | Florida | Masters | MBA - Sport Business Management | Click Here |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | Florida | Bachelors | Online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences | Click Here |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | Florida | Bachelor | Online Master of Movement Sciences & Health – Physical Education and Sports Performance | Click Here |
| The University of Louisiana Monroe | Monroe | Florida | Masters | M.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | Florida | Bachelor | Online Master of Movement Sciences & Health – Physical Education and Sports Performance | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Bachelor | Golf Management, AS | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Bachelor | Golf Management, BS | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Bachelor | Sport Management, BS | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Bachelor | Sport Management (Leadership), BS | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Master | Golf Teaching and Learning, MS | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Master | Sport Management and Operations, MS | Click Here |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | Florida | Bachelor | Online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences | Click Here |
Barry University
Master of Science in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
This program focuses on comprehending and analyzing the psychological mechanisms and consequences of human movement in the contexts of sport, physical education, and exercise. The program provides numerous opportunities for research and applied practice, both on and off campus with Barry’s DII Athletics department and with other local sport, exercise, and performance organizations. With an applied track, thesis track, dual track, and even SEPP/MBA dual degree offering, the program can be tailored to a student’s professional goals. Courses in Performance Enhancement of Psychology, Service Delivery, and Professional Practice are all part of the 36-credit applied track. The thesis track, on the other hand, is 36 credit hours long and includes courses in Advanced Statistics and/or Qualitative Methodology, Thesis Proposal, and Thesis Defense. Lastly, if you want to pursue both applied and research options, you can choose the “dual” track, which requires you to complete the credits for both. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, a resume, two letters of recommendation, a GRE score, and a statement of purpose.
Accreditation
Florida State University
M.S. in Education Psychology, Sport Psychology Major
This 37-credit hours long program in Educational Psychology with a major in Sport Psychology is intended for graduate students who want to study sport psychology and help clients develop and use mental, life, and self-regulation skills to improve performance, involvement, enjoyment, and/or personal development in sport or other domains (e.g., military, performing arts). Master’s students can conduct practical work with athletes while being supervised and may eventually qualify for CMPC. You must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree, to apply to this program.
Ph.D. in Sport Psychology
The doctoral degree program is intended to train and prepare scientist practitioner-oriented doctoral level students with the goal of producing professionals competent in sport psychology research and practice. Doctoral students can conduct practical work with athletes while being supervised and may eventually qualify for CMPC. Doctoral students are expected to master program content at a level that will allow them to become university professors, researchers, or consultants to sports teams and individual athletes after graduation. The program emphasizes both the theoretical and professional training required to work in the field of sport psychology. Furthermore, the program prepares students to address researchable problems that have immediate implications for current and future sport teams and athletes. Applicants for the PhD program must have a graduate degree from a regionally accredited US institution or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Students admitted to the doctoral program are expected to have completed a master’s thesis prior to enrollment or, if they do not have a master’s thesis, will be required to complete a research project during their first year in the doctoral program.
Accreditation
Career & Salary Opportunities in Sports Psychology in Florida
There are several reasons why Florida is an excellent place to start a career in sports and health and wellness. As the third most populous state in the country, jobs in many fields abound, but the outlook for these industries is especially promising. With such a high concentration of athletes at all levels (amateur, collegiate, and professional), there is a significant need throughout the state for fitness experts and professionals such as sport psychologists. Not to mention there are major sports teams in Miami, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Orlando, providing job seekers with numerous options for where to live and work.
Careers in sports psychology include the following:
Sports Psychology Professor
You could work as a sports psychology professor at a college or university if you have a doctorate (or, in some cases, a master’s degree). A sports psychologist can teach fundamentals to undergraduates, collaborate with graduate students in more advanced classes, and conduct original research using university resources.
Sports Psychologist
Sports psychologists can specialize in a variety of areas, including applied sports psychology and clinical sports psychology. Applied sports psychologists use mental training techniques to help athletes improve their performance, whereas clinical sports psychologists provide therapy and counseling to athletes who have mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. The minimum educational requirement for licensure in this field is typically a doctoral degree.
Exercise Physiologist
Exercise physiologists guide people who have been ill or injured through the recovery process by creating personalized exercise programs. Individuals with a master’s degree in applied physiology and kinesiology with a specialization in exercise and performance psychology could use their knowledge of biomechanics and exercise science, as well as motivational techniques, in this role. Exercise physiologists are often self-employed and can work in a variety of healthcare settings.
University Sports Coach
With a master’s degree in sports psychology, you could use your knowledge of motivational and performance improvement techniques to become a college or university athletic coach. Coaches assess their athletes’ strengths and collaborate with colleagues to improve athletes’ physical conditioning and overall performance. Coaches frequently work irregular hours and travel to games and meetings.
Other possible careers in this field include:
- Health program coordinator
- Private practice clinical sport psychologist
- Sport psychologist for a club, college, Olympic, or professional team
- Sport rehabilitation specialist