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 Jobs & Career Guide 2024 Listings
| Position | Company | Location | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 Sign on-Day | Swing-Emergency Veterinarian | Arizona | VetMED | Phoenix, Arizona US | 04/23/2024 |
| **Now offering $25,000 Sign on bonus for Daytime/swing shift ER DVM. VetMEDis … More | |||
| Orthopedic Surgery – Foot & Ankle Opportunity | Saint Alphonsus Medical Group | Boise, US | 04/23/2024 |
| OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTSSaint Alphonsus Medical Group (SAMG) is a physician led 500+ provider multispecialty group seeking a residency trained Orthopedic Surgeon to join a busy surgical practice.This position requires a proactive approach to practice development for the population of Idaho and its neighboring states. Additional emphasis of this practice is to … More | |||
| Assistant Professor of Psychology (Open Specialization) – Tenure-track | University of Texas Permian Basin | Odessa, Texas US | 04/18/2024 |
| Assistant Professor of Psychology (Open Specialization) – Tenure-track Hiring DepartmentThe University of Texas Permian Basin’s Department of Psychology welcomes applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor. The area of specialization is open; however, preference will be given to candidates with expertise in Forensic, Sport, Cognitive, or Physiological … More | |||
| Body Imager Needed in Gorgeous, Anchorage, Alaska! Base Comp: $700K! | Alaska Radiology Associates | Anchorage, Alaska US | 04/13/2024 |
| POSITION SUMMARY We have immediate opening due to significant practice growth for a fellowship trained Body Imager for our well-established, multi-specialty practice in Anchorage, Alaska! Compensation : $700K with a $50K sign-on bonus or fellowship stipend. Typical schedule M-F 8a-5p, 11a-7p … More | |||
| 50k Sign on bonus and more! | Overnight Emergency Veterinarian | Phoenix, AZ | VetMED | Phoenix, Arizona US | 04/12/2024 |
| Overnight Emergency DVM – Sign on Bonus and More! Now offering a $50K sign on bonus for Overnight ER DVM VetMEDis … More | |||
| Athletic Trainer (10-Month Tenure-Track) | Millersville University | Millersville, Pennsylvania US | 04/10/2024 |
| Athletic Trainer (10-Month Tenure-Track)Millersville UniversityDepartment: Faculty in AthleticsNature of Position: Tenure-TrackJob Summary/Basic FunctionThe Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Millersville University welcomes applications for a 10-Month Tenure-Track Athletic Trainer position. The athletic trainers provide athletic training services needed by mens and womens intercollegiate … More | |||
| Breast Imaging Radiologist | Mayo Clinic | La Crosse, Wisconsin US | 03/28/2024 |
| The Department of Radiology at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI is seeking a breast fellowship trained Radiologists to join our expanding 12 person highly functioning, collaborative group of radiologists. Enjoy the collegiality of a growing group of referring specialty physicians while supporting significant growth in MR, CT, and PET/CT. A recently completed MRI building expansion has more than doubled the size of the MR practice, and we are now constructing a state-of-the-art … More | |||
| Family Medicine-Strategic relationship with University of Missouri-Columbia | Community Health Systems | Moberly, Missouri US | 03/27/2024 |
| Job DescriptionMoberly Regional Medical Center in Moberly, MO has one opening left for a Family Medicine Physician at their hospital owned practice. Additionally, we have a strategic relationship with the University of Missouri-Columbia! Medium housing prices in Moberly are under $200,000. Land prices are at $4,845 per acre on average. There are large and small homes for sale. There is a luxury home for sale that is 4 beds 4 baths and is 4,578 square feet! Many … More | |||
Position **Now offering $25,000 Sign on bonus for Daytime/swing shift ER DVM. VetMEDis … More Company VetMED Location Phoenix, Arizona US Posted 04/23/2024 | |||
Position OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTSSaint Alphonsus Medical Group (SAMG) is a physician led 500+ provider multispecialty group seeking a residency trained Orthopedic Surgeon to join a busy surgical practice.This position requires a proactive approach to practice development for the population of Idaho and its neighboring states. Additional emphasis of this practice is to … More Company Saint Alphonsus Medical Group Location Boise, US Posted 04/23/2024 | |||
Position Assistant Professor of Psychology (Open Specialization) – Tenure-track Hiring DepartmentThe University of Texas Permian Basin’s Department of Psychology welcomes applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor. The area of specialization is open; however, preference will be given to candidates with expertise in Forensic, Sport, Cognitive, or Physiological … More Company University of Texas Permian Basin Location Odessa, Texas US Posted 04/18/2024 | |||
Position POSITION SUMMARY We have immediate opening due to significant practice growth for a fellowship trained Body Imager for our well-established, multi-specialty practice in Anchorage, Alaska! Compensation : $700K with a $50K sign-on bonus or fellowship stipend. Typical schedule M-F 8a-5p, 11a-7p … More Company Alaska Radiology Associates Location Anchorage, Alaska US Posted 04/13/2024 | |||
Position Overnight Emergency DVM – Sign on Bonus and More! Now offering a $50K sign on bonus for Overnight ER DVM VetMEDis … More Company VetMED Location Phoenix, Arizona US Posted 04/12/2024 | |||
Position Athletic Trainer (10-Month Tenure-Track)Millersville UniversityDepartment: Faculty in AthleticsNature of Position: Tenure-TrackJob Summary/Basic FunctionThe Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Millersville University welcomes applications for a 10-Month Tenure-Track Athletic Trainer position. The athletic trainers provide athletic training services needed by mens and womens intercollegiate … More Company Millersville University Location Millersville, Pennsylvania US Posted 04/10/2024 | |||
Position The Department of Radiology at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI is seeking a breast fellowship trained Radiologists to join our expanding 12 person highly functioning, collaborative group of radiologists. Enjoy the collegiality of a growing group of referring specialty physicians while supporting significant growth in MR, CT, and PET/CT. A recently completed MRI building expansion has more than doubled the size of the MR practice, and we are now constructing a state-of-the-art … More Company Mayo Clinic Location La Crosse, Wisconsin US Posted 03/28/2024 | |||
Position Job DescriptionMoberly Regional Medical Center in Moberly, MO has one opening left for a Family Medicine Physician at their hospital owned practice. Additionally, we have a strategic relationship with the University of Missouri-Columbia! Medium housing prices in Moberly are under $200,000. Land prices are at $4,845 per acre on average. There are large and small homes for sale. There is a luxury home for sale that is 4 beds 4 baths and is 4,578 square feet! Many … More Company Community Health Systems Location Moberly, Missouri US Posted 03/27/2024 |
