If you are interested in the psychology of athletes or aspiring athletes, or in researching the things that motivate these people to succeed, then a sports psychology degree program may just be right for you. In many positions, it will be required for you to obtain advanced degrees, which is why these are becoming increasingly popular. Additionally, as the world is becoming more and more virtual, people are looking at studying online as much as they can. Where sports psychology was always a very hands-on study, it is now available fully or near fully online. This means that you can study your chosen subject without having to live near a certain school, and in your own time as well.
It is very important, however, that you choose a school that is fully accredited, as this is what will determine whether you can become a licensed practitioner and whether you can count your study hours towards your continuous professional education.
Let’s take a look at 5 online sports psychology degree programs.
To learn more about this list, please visit our page: Selection Criteria
California University of Pennsylvania
MS in Exercise Science and Health Promotion – Sport Psychology Concentration
California University of Pennsylvania is a public university accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This regional accreditation means you’ll need to check to ensure this degree is valid if you live outside of Pennsylvania. This program can be fully customized by selecting a concentration for a 36-credit degree program or a focus area for a 48-credit dual concentration program. Options include: Applied Sport Science, Group Fitness Leadership, Nutrition, Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention, Wellness and Fitness, Rehabilitation Science, and Wellness Coaching.
Tuition
$516 (PA resident), $526 (non-resident) per credit hour
California Southern University
MS with a Concentration in Sports Counseling
California Southern University was established as a private school in 1978. It has full national accreditation, meaning that your degree will be valid in all states. The curriculum was developed by a respectable sports psychologist who is still considered to be the main expert in the field. It includes a number of core classes, but there are also additional topics such as current issues in sports psychology, applied sports psychology, and preparation and motivation.
Tuition
The tuition at California Southern University is $350 for each credit hour. This makes it one of the cheapest options when it comes to an online degree in sports psychology.
Online Master of Arts (MA) in Sport Psychology
The JFK University has been established as a private university in California. However, it is a full member of the NUS (National University System). Accreditation is regional, which means that you do have to check whether it is valid in your state if you don’t live in the state. The faculty staff at the university are all fully trained sports psychologists themselves, having worked with professional sports franchises, college teams or even Olympic athletes. During the program, you will be required to complete 4 internships, which means some physical attendance is required.
Tuition
Each credit hour at JFK University is $615.
Ph.D. in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance Psychology
Grand Canyon University opened its doors in 1949. It is a Christian university that has earned the reputation of being one of the best in the country. It is HLC accredited, which means your degree will be valid across the nation. The degree is a general psychology degree, but it emphasizes performance psychology. This means that the curriculum includes such things as motivation theories, cognition and emotion. The goal is to make sure the graduate is able to understand the psychology of athletes that operate on a professional, high-performance level. As a Christian school, it also incorporates faith-based knowledge and spirituality, which is something commonly seen within top level athletes.
Tuition
One credit hour is $500, which is one of the most affordable tuition fees for Ph.D. programs in the country.
MS in Applied Sport Psychology
Adams State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. This regional accreditation means you’ll have to check to ensure this degree is valid in your state if you reside outside of Illinois. The MS in Applied Sport Psychology is focused on the scientist-practitioner model that combines theory, research, and practice. Students of this program can work toward achieving the Association for Applied Sport Psychology’s Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) designation.
Tuition
$435 per credit hour
