Program Overview

Master of Science in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology

The Master of Science in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology is a field that broadly addresses the use of psychological principles to help improve desired outcomes for athletes, coaches, exercisers, and other professionals in sport, exercise, and performance settings, as well as the mental health outcomes of participation in sport and physical activity.

Program Overview

The Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology Master of Science program is designed to prepare students for careers in sport and exercise psychology, in particular as performance enhancement specialists, coaches, and/or as researchers and teachers in academic settings. The program consists of 36 units, requiring students to take core classes, elective courses, and complete a thesis or comprehensive exam/capstone.

Career Opportunities

Our students are prepared for careers in coaching sports teams at youth, community, club, high school, and collegiate levels; specialists in performance enhancement in sport, exercise, and other performance domains; wellness coaching and other fitness professions, and teaching in higher education. Career opportunities for performance enhancement specialists are growing in university athletic departments, professional sports teams, and in the military through their Master Resilience Trainer program.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in Kinesiology, Physical Education, Psychology, Biology, or equivalent.
• An overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or better.

Degree Requirements

Required Coursework (21 units)

• KIN 574 Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 units)
• KIN 576 Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis (3 units)
• KIN 577 Sport in U.S. Culture (3 units)
• KIN 578 Psychological Aspect of Exercise and Fitness (3 units)
• KIN 696 - Research Methods and Statistical Analysis (3 units)

Culminating Activity

Select option A or B:

• Thesis: Complete KIN 698 (6 units)
• Complete a capstone project by enrolling in KIN 694 and complete three (3) units chosen from elective courses within the chosen option.

Elective Courses (15 units)

The program offers three options: Sport Psychology, Exercise Psychology, and Coaching. Each option requires completing five of the specified elective courses.

Sport Psychology Option

• KIN 512 Professional Ethics and Standards in Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 units)
• KIN 572 Applied Sport Psychology (3 units)
• KIN 575 Psychology of Coaching (3 units)
• KIN 579 Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury (3 units)
• KIN 630 Seminar in Motor Learning (3 units)
• KIN 633 Seminar in Sport Psychology (3 units)
• KIN 697 Directed Studies (1-3 units)

Exercise Psychology Option

• KIN 562 Advanced Strength and Conditioning (3 units)
• KIN 568 Nutrition for Exercise and Performance (3 units)
• KIN 572 Applied Sport Psychology (3 units)
• KIN 597 Independent Research (1-3 units)
• KIN 633 Seminar in Sport Psychology (3 units)
• KIN 697 Directed Studies (1-3 units)

Coaching and Student-Athlete Development Option

• KIN 541 Applied Biomechanics: Lifting and Work Capacity
• KIN 562 Advanced Strength and Conditioning (3 units)
• KIN 568 Nutrition for Exercise and Performance (3 units)
• KIN 572 Applied Sport Psychology
• KIN 575 Psychology of Coaching (3 units)
• KIN 579 Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury (3 units)
• KIN 630 Seminar in Sport Psychology (3 units)

Program Details

• Academic Plan Code: Sport Exercise Perform Psy MS - KPE_MS02PB
• Career: Graduate
• CIP: 31.0501
• CSU Code: 08351
• College: 15, Health and Human Services
• Department: Kinesiology
• Delivery: Face-to-face
• Non-STEM

Effective: Fall 2023