Sports psychology — the study of psychology used to help athletes achieve maximum performance and success in their sports careers — is an ideal field for students interested in sports, science, and helping others.
Sports psychology experts are the driving forces behind the most admired athletes in the world, from NFL players to Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas. To prepare aspiring sport psychology students for work in this increasingly important field, West Virginia University offers a Ph.D. program in Sport and Exercise Psychology (SEP).
WVU’s Ph.D. program is one of the only degree programs in the nation that allow students to specialize in the field. So what makes it so unique?
1. Integration of Various Subjects
WVU’s Sports and Exercise Psychology Ph.D. program include study in various fields, such as psychology, sociology, kinesiology, exercise physiology, science, and professional development.
By gaining knowledge and experience in a number of topics, SEP students in WVU’s advanced Sport and Exercise Psychology program are able to maximize their sports and exercise psychology expertise. In fact, students who complete the SEP doctoral program are dual enrolled into WVU’s master’s degree program in community counseling, as well, which subsequently allows them to sit for licensure as professional counselors in most states.
2. Research and Hands-On Experience
Students in this SEP program are encouraged to conduct personalized research with the help of WVU’s seven highly qualified SEP faculty members. Rather than being restricted to research topics that align with faculty research, students are free to choose topics that are personalized to their own career goals.
In addition, Ph.D. students in this program benefit from internship and practice opportunities as well as work experience with university and high school athletic teams, youth sport programs, and counseling facilities.
3. Future Prospects
Graduates of WVU's advanced SEP degree program pursue a variety of fields, including counseling, public health, business, law, and physical or occupational therapy. In addition, students who complete the Ph.D. program go on to become experts in their fields, and many either start working with sports teams or enter academia. Due to the large amount of experience SEP students gain while earning their doctoral degree, most meet the requirements for AASP certification upon graduation, establishing them as the most proficient practitioners in sports psychology.
If you want to learn more about WVU’s unique Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, visit the program homepage!
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