Sports Psychologist Jobs & Career Guide 2024
What is a sports psychologist?
A sports psychologist works to help support and develop the psychology of high-level competitive athletes and sportspeople.
Many people may find this surprising. After all, often athletes are very well paid, very well motivated, and incredibly successful! Why would someone living this sort of lifestyle need a psychologist?
The truth is that mental health issues can affect ANYONE, regardless of age, wealth, or any other external or internal factor.
High-level sport is incredibly unforgiving, particularly in a world where criticism and scrutiny are often public and very loud, in online spaces and elsewhere.
Sports psychologists help athletes deal with the stress and mental rigors that high-level sport puts on the psyche.
Education Requirements
The first step in becoming a sports psychologist is to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. It is best to major in psychology, education, or a related field, as this will help you gain the knowledge and skills necessary for pursuing a graduate degree in sports psychology.
In addition to your undergraduate studies, pursuing internships or volunteer experiences in sports psychology is a good idea. These experiences will give you a greater understanding of how to work with athletes and how to support them behaviorally and emotionally. You can find internships with sports teams at the collegiate or professional level.
To become a licensed sports psychologist, you will then need to earn a graduate degree in psychology or a related field. A Master’s degree in sports psychology can be helpful, but a Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) is typically required. The program should be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
Certification and Licensing
Once you have completed your education and required number of supervised hours, the next step is to become certified and licensed. To become a sports psychologist, you must first pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
The EPPP is a nationally administered exam that tests how well you can apply and interpret psychological knowledge. Once you have passed the EPPP, you must obtain a license from your state’s psychology board. Each state may have different licensure requirements, and it is crucial to ensure you meet them.
An optional final step is board certification.
Board certification for sports psychologists is offered by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). The certification is known as the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential.
Continuing Education
To maintain licensure, you must complete continuing education requirements. These requirements vary from state to state but typically include courses, workshops, conferences, and seminars related to sports psychology.
It would be best to stay current on the latest research and technology in the field. Becoming an active member of professional organizations, such as AASP, will help you stay informed and connected with sports psychologists around the country.
Continuing your education after your licensure is essential to provide the best service to athletes and their teams.
By following these steps, you can become a sports psychologist and provide invaluable support to athletes throughout their journey. With the proper education, dedication, and hard work, you can become a successful sports psychologist who makes a difference in children’s lives.
Is sports psychology a good career?
The career outlook for sports psychologists is an interesting one, with a lot of room to specialize, learn and grow, developing as a clinician while also developing contacts and the business side of the profession.
It’s also quite varied, as you can work with athletes in various different sports, at varying levels, assisting with everything from depression, trauma, stress, or PTSD to assisting in building confidence and improving on-field performance.
It’s important to note that while there are similarities, sports psychologist sessions won’t look much like a clinical psychology session, as you will be working with coaches and athletes to deal primarily with stressors and difficulties as they relate to performance, which is an interesting and very specific focus, setting this profession apart from the other niches of psychology.
Latest Sports Psychologist Job Listings
| Position | Company | Location | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor of Kinesiology | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth, Texas US | 11/12/2024 |
| Application Deadline:Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2024 and continue until the position is filled Position Details:This full-time faculty position is on-campus and in-person. The Department of Kinesiology of the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Texas Christian University (TCU) invites applicants for a 9-month tenure-stream position at the level of Assistant Professor. The area of specialization is open, but should … More | |||
| Assistant, Associate or Full Professor of Kinesiology | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth, Texas US | 11/12/2024 |
| Application Deadline:Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2024 and continue until the position is filled Position Details:This full-time faculty position is on campus and in person to begin Fall 2025. The Department of Kinesiology of the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Texas Christian University (TCU) invites applicants for a 9-month tenure-stream position at the level of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor. The area … More | |||
| Exercise Science Adjunct-KHS | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, Virginia US | 11/12/2024 |
| The Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences in the College of Humanities and Sciences is comprised of 17 full-time faculty engaged in an array of clinical, applied, and interdisciplinary endeavors. The undergraduate program, which make-up the 3rd largest undergraduate program at VCU, consist of concentrations in Exercise Science and Health Sciences, attracting a diverse body, whereas more than 65% of our students are racially and ethnically diverse and/or members of … More | |||
| Assistant Professor – Communication Disorders | Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, Missouri US | 11/11/2024 |
| Assistant Professor Communication Disorders College of Education, Health and Human Studies Full time; Tenure Track Duties and Responsibilities: The typical teaching load will be 12 hours instructional/supervisory load per semester. Expertise in voice, anatomy and physiology of speech, craniofacial anomalies, and speech and hearing science is desirable; however, applicants with expertise in any area represented in the scope of practice within the field of communication … More | |||
| Clinical Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Nutritional Sciences | University of Georgia | Athens, Georgia US | 11/07/2024 |
| POSITION: Clinical Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Nutritional Sciences (95% Teaching and 5% Service), full-time, 9-month academic year appointment in the Department of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences https://www.fcs.uga.edu. RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: Teach undergraduate and graduate in-residence and online courses in sports nutrition, clinical nutrition and community nutrition. Mentor … More | |||
| Director of Mental Health & Performance | William & Mary | Williamsburg, Virginia US | 11/07/2024 |
| The role of the Director is to enhance the student-athletes mental and emotional well-being and sport performance. Services include: Counseling and consultation with individual student athletes. Implementing a range of performance and mental skills training for student-athletes and coaches in individual and team settings. Conducting ongoing needs assessments and program evaluations. Acting as liaison to William and Mary Counseling Center and maintain … More | |||
| PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC EXPRESSION OF INTEREST | Maribyrnong College / Maribyrnong Sports Academy | MARIBYRNONG, Victoria (VIC) AU | 11/06/2024 |
| … More | |||
| Sports & Adventure Camp Counselor role | Camp Cobbossee for Boys | Monmouth, Maine US | 11/05/2024 |
| Job descriptionDo you have a passion for sports? Love the outdoors? Enjoy working with kids? Awesome! Come have the best summer of your life, get paid and fulfil your Internship requirements at Camp Cobbossee! Alongside a salary, the camp experience is fully inclusive and we offer Travel Stipends to cover the cost of you traveling to work with us. Annually we hire great staff from around 25-30 states and 15 countries internationally. We want the best, no matter where they’re coming from. … More | |||
Position Application Deadline:Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2024 and continue until the position is filled Position Details:This full-time faculty position is on-campus and in-person. The Department of Kinesiology of the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Texas Christian University (TCU) invites applicants for a 9-month tenure-stream position at the level of Assistant Professor. The area of specialization is open, but should … More Company Texas Christian University Location Fort Worth, Texas US Posted 11/12/2024 | |||
Position Application Deadline:Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2024 and continue until the position is filled Position Details:This full-time faculty position is on campus and in person to begin Fall 2025. The Department of Kinesiology of the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Texas Christian University (TCU) invites applicants for a 9-month tenure-stream position at the level of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor. The area … More Company Texas Christian University Location Fort Worth, Texas US Posted 11/12/2024 | |||
Position The Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences in the College of Humanities and Sciences is comprised of 17 full-time faculty engaged in an array of clinical, applied, and interdisciplinary endeavors. The undergraduate program, which make-up the 3rd largest undergraduate program at VCU, consist of concentrations in Exercise Science and Health Sciences, attracting a diverse body, whereas more than 65% of our students are racially and ethnically diverse and/or members of … More Company Virginia Commonwealth University Location Richmond, Virginia US Posted 11/12/2024 | |||
Position Assistant Professor Communication Disorders College of Education, Health and Human Studies Full time; Tenure Track Duties and Responsibilities: The typical teaching load will be 12 hours instructional/supervisory load per semester. Expertise in voice, anatomy and physiology of speech, craniofacial anomalies, and speech and hearing science is desirable; however, applicants with expertise in any area represented in the scope of practice within the field of communication … More Company Southeast Missouri State University Location Cape Girardeau, Missouri US Posted 11/11/2024 | |||
Position POSITION: Clinical Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Nutritional Sciences (95% Teaching and 5% Service), full-time, 9-month academic year appointment in the Department of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences https://www.fcs.uga.edu. RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: Teach undergraduate and graduate in-residence and online courses in sports nutrition, clinical nutrition and community nutrition. Mentor … More Company University of Georgia Location Athens, Georgia US Posted 11/07/2024 | |||
Position The role of the Director is to enhance the student-athletes mental and emotional well-being and sport performance. Services include: Counseling and consultation with individual student athletes. Implementing a range of performance and mental skills training for student-athletes and coaches in individual and team settings. Conducting ongoing needs assessments and program evaluations. Acting as liaison to William and Mary Counseling Center and maintain … More Company William & Mary Location Williamsburg, Virginia US Posted 11/07/2024 | |||
Company Maribyrnong College / Maribyrnong Sports Academy Location MARIBYRNONG, Victoria (VIC) AU Posted 11/06/2024 | |||
Position Job descriptionDo you have a passion for sports? Love the outdoors? Enjoy working with kids? Awesome! Come have the best summer of your life, get paid and fulfil your Internship requirements at Camp Cobbossee! Alongside a salary, the camp experience is fully inclusive and we offer Travel Stipends to cover the cost of you traveling to work with us. Annually we hire great staff from around 25-30 states and 15 countries internationally. We want the best, no matter where they’re coming from. … More Company Camp Cobbossee for Boys Location Monmouth, Maine US Posted 11/05/2024 |
