What Is Sports Psychology?:
According to Division 47 of the American Psychological Association, sports psychology encompasses a range of topics including "motivation to persist and achieve, psychological considerations in sport injury and rehabilitation, counseling techniques with athletes, assessing talent, exercise adherence and well-being, self-perceptions related to achieving, expertise in sport, youth sport, and performance enhancement and self-regulation techniques."
While popular perceptions often presume that sports psychology is only concerned with professional athletics, this specialty area includes a broad range of scientific, clinical, and applied topics involving sports and exercise. There are two key areas of interest in sports psychology: understanding how psychology can be applied to improve motivation and performance and understanding how sports and athletics can improve mental health and overall well-being.What Do Sports Psychologists Do?:
Sports psychologists typically perform a range of tasks related to sports performance and education. Some opt to teach at the university level, while others work directly with athletes to increase motivation and enhance performance. Other options include client counseling, scientific research, and athletic consulting.
How Much Do Sports Psychologists Typically Earn?:
[bp]Pay ranges vary considerably within sports psychology based on training, education, and area of specialization. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, average salaries for clinical and counseling psychologists range between $41,850 and $71,880. The median salary for university faculty positions was $55,000 in a 2001 salary survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) (Singleton et al., 2003). Some top sports psychologists earn six-figure salaries working as consultants for professional athletes, but most earn a more modest yearly income.What Type of Degree Do Sports Psychologists Need?:
Entry-level positions with a bachelor's degree are rare, usually taking the form of internships. Most positions require a master's or doctorate degree in clinical, counseling, or sports psychology as well as direct training and experience in apply psychology to sports and exercise.
Because there are few graduate programs offering specialized degrees in sports psychology, it can be difficult to determine what exact combination of training and experience qualifies a professional to be called a 'sports psychologist.' Division 47 of the APA suggests that sports psychologists should be licensed psychologists with "experience in applying psychological principles in sports settings." Additionally, an extensive educational background and training in sports, motivation management, performance, and athletics is also recommended.Is a Career in Sports Psychology Right for Me?:
Only you can decide if a sports psychology career is suited to your needs, interests, talents, and goals. If you dislike sports or exercise, this career is probably not for you. But if you enjoy helping people achieve their full potential, solving complex problems, working as part of a team, a career in sports psychology might be perfect for you.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Career in Sports Psychology?:
Like all careers, sports psychology has its advantages and disadvantages. Only you can decide if a sports psychology career is right for you. Explore your options by taking an introductory course on the subject and weigh your options carefully before you decide.
Benefits of a Career in Sports Psychology
- Sports psychologists often work as part of a collaborative team.
- Diverse career paths and specialization opportunities (i.e. teaching, youth sports, professional athletics training).
- The emphasis on teamwork may be difficult for independent-minded individuals.
- Requires extensive education, training, and experience.
Suggested Resources:
- APA Division 47 - Exercise and Sports Psychology
- Association of Applied Sports Psychology
- The Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
- Sachs, M.L., Burke, K.L., & Schrader, D.C. (2000) Directory of graduate programs in applied sport psychology (6th ed.). Morgantown, WV: Fitness Information Technology.
