Athletes striving to reach their peak performance need to be in top physical shape and mental health. Athletes need to maintain their mental health required to stay focused and overcome challenges. The best athletes work with sport and exercise psychology professionals who understand the connection between body health and mental health.
If you are a sports lover interested in psychology, then you may be considering a career as a sport psychologist. It is certainly a good time to do so. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in psychology are expected to increase by 6% between now and 2031.
That’s why Online Psychology Degrees went on the search for the best online graduate programs in sports psychology available in the U.S. To begin, we consulted the National Center for Education Statistics. We made a list of all universities offering online sport psychology masters programs. We then narrowed down that list to just the best ten by using the following points-based system.
Annual Graduate Tuition:
Under $20,000: 5 points
Under $30,000: 4 points
Under $40,000: 3 points
Under $50,000: 2 points
Under $60,000: 1 point
Annual Percentage of 20-Year Net Return on Investment (ROI):
9% and above: 5 points
7%-8%: 4 points
5%-6%: 3 points
3%-4%: 2 points
1%-2%:1 point
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: Best Psychology Schools
Top 5: 5 points
Top 10: 4 points
Top 20: 3 points
Top 30: 2 points
Top 50: 1 point
Student-to-Faculty Ratio:
10:1 and better: 5 points
12:1 and better: 4 points
15:1 and better: 3 points
17:1 and better: 2 points
20:1 and better: 1 point
Below are the 10 schools that offer the best online graduate sports psychology programs in the United States.
#10. American Military University
Charles Town, West Virginia
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $6,660/year
Points: 5
American Military University is one of the top schools for sports psychology. It is a member of the accredited American Public University System offers a top value online master’s degree in sports and health sciences with concentration options in:
- exercise science and human performance
- health and wellness management
The exercise science and human performance concentration focuses on factors that influence performance and health. Course offerings include:
- Sport Psychology
- Essentials of Human Performance and Exercise Science
- Critical Thinking in the Sports and Health Industries
All students complete a capstone research project that showcases their knowledge and skills. Research projects help prospective sport psychologists develop their research methods, which will be helpful in the sports industry while working with sports teams.
Learn more about sports psychology at American Military University
#9. Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $36,234/year
Points: 6
The Drexel University School of Education features one of the top online programs for a best-value online master’s degree in sports coaching leadership. Drexel understands the need for sports leaders to:
- communicate effectively
- lead their athletes
- provide motivation and support to bring out the best in athletic performance
Students can specialize in a variety of areas including:
- coaching theory
- goal-setting
- recruiting, budgeting
This flexible program offers expert-level instruction in an online environment and an optional one-week residency in Italy. Students complete 45 graduate credits and can earn their degree in just two years of part-time study. Financial aid is available.
Learn more about sports psychology at Drexel University
#8. Rider University
Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $20,508/year
Points: 6
Rider University offers one of the best sport psychology programs. The high-quality online master’s degree in sports psychology from Rider University can help develop an athletes’ mental edge. Students can choose from seven start dates throughout the year and earn their degree in less than two years. The comprehensive curriculum covers areas like:
- Applied Sport Psychology
- Clinical Sport Psychology
- Assessment in Sport Psychology
Courses are taught by dedicated faculty committed to the success of their students. Students gain real world experience through an internship in either coaching or administration.
Learn more about sports psychology at Rider University
#7. University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $10,770/year in-state and $27,335/year out-of-state
Points: 6
The University of Florida features one of the top affordable online sport psychology programs with a concentration in high-performance coaching. This unique program mixes sports management with cutting edge science in areas like
- psychology
- kinesiology
- physiology
Students develop the skills needed to prepare coaches and athletic administrators to get the best out of their organizations. Coursework is offered through the departments of sport management and applied physiology and kinesiology. All online students are matched with a career coach who aligns with their specific area of interest.
Learn more about sports psychology at University of Florida
#6. Ohio University
Athens, Ohio
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $9,444/year in-state and $17,436/year out-of-state
Points: 6
Ohio University is one of the best schools for sports psychology. It features an affordable top online master’s of coaching education that underwent a complete overhaul in 2020. The flexible curriculum is designed for busy professionals. There are no on-campus residencies. Students can complete 30 credit hours of coursework in less than two years. Courses are taught by coaching experts and cover areas like:
- Psychology of Coaching
- Ethics and Diversity in Athletic Coaching
- Performance and Conditioning for Athletic Coaches
The ideal applicant has a minimum of three years of coaching experience and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
Learn more about sports psychology at Ohio University
#5. Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $9,288/year in-state and $13,923/year out-of-state
Points: 6
Lock Haven University features a top online sports psychology graduate program through The Stephen Poorman College of Business, Information Systems, and Human Services. This 30-credit hour, fully online program can be completed in just one year. They offer a sport and exercise psychology track for students interested in areas like:
- coaching
- fitness consulting
- counseling psychology
Sport and exercise psychology courses include:
- Stress Management for the Physically Active
- Sport and Exercise Psychology for Performance Enhancement
- Psych of Athletic Injury/Recovery
Students can choose to complete a capstone research project or a field experience depending on their personal and professional goals. Applicants are required to submit:
- official college transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- a statement of their professional goals
Learn more about sports psychology at Lock Haven University
#4. Concordia University
Irvine, California
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $8,121/year
Points: 6
Concordia University offers one of the best sports psychology programs. CU offers a high-quality online master’s degree in coaching and athletics administration for students who want to empower others and become leaders in the field. Students can earn their degree in just 15 months of study, taking courses 100% online, face-to-face, or through a hybrid model. The program is designed by experienced educators and includes sport and exercise psychology courses like:
- Psychology of Coaching
- Student-Athlete Development and Leadership
- Ethics and Sport
All students complete a culminating research project and present a professional portfolio at the end of the program.
Learn more about sports psychology at Concordia University
#3. University of West Alabama
Livingston, Alabama
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $6,678/year in-state and $13,356/year out-of-state
Points: 6
The University of West Alabama is one of the top sport psychology schools. UWA offers an online master’s degree in experimental psychology with a concentration in health and sports psychology. This 36 credit hour program features courses like:
- Psychopharmacology
- Advanced Cognitive Psychology
- Psychology and Sociology of Human Performance
Courses are taught by PhD-level faculty in experimental psychology who also serve as mentors. All students take a three-credit-hour psychology practicum. To complete the program, students choose between a thesis or a comprehensive exam.
Learn more about sports psychology at University of West Alabama
#2. University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $35,305/year
Points: 7
The University of Denver is one of the top schools with sports psychology. The Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver features a top-value sport coaching master’s online program led by an internationally respected coach educator. This highly personalized program through the Graduate School of Professional Psychology uses lifelike scenarios that make it easy to transfer knowledge and skills from the classroom to the workplace. Courses cover key areas like:
- Psychology of Athletic Performance
- Social-Psychology of the Body, Health and Performance
- Sociocultural Aspects of Sport Coaching
This 46-credit hour program can be completed in just two years.
Learn more about sports psychology at University of Denver
#1. University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $12,809/year
Points: 7
University of Missouri is one of the best sports psychology schools. Missouri Online is our top choice for an online degree in sports psychology. It features a unique master’s degree in positive coaching and athletic leadership online. This 40- credit hour program is delivered 100% online. Full-time students can earn their master’s degrees in just one year. Part-time students can complete the program in about two-and-a-half years. Courses cover important areas like:
- sports psychology
- positive psychology
- emotional health and well-being of the athlete
Courses are offered in eight-week sessions and most students take two courses per semester.
Learn more about sports psychology at University of Missouri
People Also Ask
What can I do with a master’s in sports and exercise psychology?
Having a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology opens the door to a number of exciting careers, including clinical sport psychologist, sports rehabilitation therapist, and sports research specialist. Many university and professional sports teams coaches also have a master’s or doctoral degree in sport and exercise psychology.
What is a sports psychologist’s job?
Sport psychologists can work in private practice, or be employed by a school or team. It is the job of the sport psychologist to work directly with athletes and help them to overcome the mental hurdles of their sport, ultimately helping them to better their performance and achieve their goals.
What should I major in to become a sports psychologist?
Most sport and exercise psychology positions require at least a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology. Common undergraduate majors for sports psychologists include kinesiology, sports medicine, and physiology.
What is the difference between a master’s in sports psychology and a doctoral degree in sports psychology?
Most sport and exercise psychology careers require only a master’s degree and not a doctoral degree. These include those who work directly with:
- athletes
- physical therapists
- personal trainers
- physical education teachers
- coaches
However, to become a licensed clinical psychologist, a sport psychologist would need to have a doctoral degree. Those interested in earning a doctoral degree should look into doctoral programs for an additional advanced degree.
What is the salary of a sports psychologist?
According to the website PayScale, the average annual salary for a sports psychologist is $76,266.
Related Resources:
- Are Sports Psychologists The Same As Coaches?
- Is Sports Psychology a Growing Field?
- What Does a Sports Psychologist Do?
- What is a Typical Day Like for a Sports Psychologist?