The 5 Best Master's in Sports Psychology Online

Home to nationally-renowned academics, the University of Denver has progressive values and a student-centered education philosophy. For students pursuing an online degree in sport psychology, this college is home to an MA in sport coaching; this degree provides an option to concentrate in sport psychology and coaching. Graduate sport psychology students receive an interdisciplinary curriculum, blending coursework in sociocultural aspects of sport coaching, psychology theories of athletic performance, philosophy, legal issues, and a sport psychology independent study. UD’s sport psychology faculty are scholar-level educators; additionally, all program students are paired with a “mental skills consultant” for further industry knowledge and mentorship.

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Originally founded for chiropractic studies, University of Western States – Portland has since diversified to provide a growing number of degrees. This school has added a distance-learning division, home to such degrees as an online master’s in sport and performance psychology; this degree optimizes knowledge in performance motivation, counseling ethics, sports nutrition, mental skills training, applied sport psychology, and much more. Sport psychology students complete either a capstone project or comprehensive exam at the conclusion of the program. UWS is celebrated by students for its community-based, conversational, and interactive approach to online learning.

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One of the largest schools in the region, University of Missouri educates over 30,000 students on campus and around the world. Mizzou’s distance learning programs include a well-respected master of education in educational, school and counseling psychology; this degree includes an option for a sports psychology concentration, preparing students for futures in sport coaching, academic counseling, life coaching, and many other possibilities in the industry. Mizzou’s courses are built from a scientist-practitioner learning model; this practical approach is all in balance with the belief that athletes should be well-rounded, resourceful individuals. Mizzou’s faculty are seasoned professionals in psychology, academics, and the athletics industry.

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Based in Pennsylvania, Lock Haven University is a popular choice for traditional and non-traditional students alike. Among LHU’s graduate programs includes an online MS in sport science, a degree that incorporates sport and exercise psychology curriculum. The 30 credit-hour online sport psychology track has courses in sport in American culture, ethics in sport, foundations of sport and exercise psychology, research methods in sport science, and much more. Sport and exercise psychology students complete the degree with a capstone project, incorporating knowledge attained over the course of the program. Alumni of Lock Haven’s sports MS have gone on to positions in clinical psychology, coaching, consultancies, private practice, and more.

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Based in Miami, Barry University is a progressive school for students seeking to make a positive impact. This college’s distance learning degrees include a sport, exercise, and performance psychology MS; this online sport psychology master’s degree has been recognized multiple times as a top program of its kind. Barry’s intended learning outcomes include skill-sets in coaching, sport psychology counseling, performance enhancement techniques for athletes, team counseling, and more. Barry University holds high standards in its admission process, requiring a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA for enrollment. Barry University’s master’s faculty are almost entirely doctorate-level professionals.

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