Online Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Sports Psychology

Florida State University offers a distinguished Doctoral degree program in Sport Psychology, designed for those aiming to excel in the realm of athlete performance and mental health. This campus-based program emphasizes a robust scientific foundation, enriched by rigorous coursework, cutting-edge research, and practical engagement with athletes at various competitive tiers. Graduates are well-equipped for diverse career trajectories, including academia, professional sports, and performance enhancement roles. The program also provides mentorship for professional certification, ensuring a comprehensive pathway to success in the field. Highlights include the necessity of a GRE for PhD applicants, a 3.5 GPA requirement, and a December 1st application deadline.

• PhD and Master's programs available
• PhD requires 3.5 GPA
• PhD application deadline: December 1st
• GRE required for PhD
• Mentorship for CMPC certification
• Sport Psychology Laboratory
• Research opportunities with athletes
• Career paths: academia, sports, military
• 40-120 contact hours for master's
• International student options available

National University's PhD in Sport and Performance Psychology delivers a transformative online learning experience tailored for ambitious sports psychology professionals. The program's innovative curriculum delves into advanced mental performance strategies, integrating research-driven approaches to athletic excellence. Students explore nuanced domains like psychological resilience, injury rehabilitation, and cross-cultural performance optimization. The comprehensive 60-credit journey emphasizes personalized mentorship, enabling scholars to develop sophisticated interventions that enhance athlete mental conditioning. Graduates emerge as highly skilled practitioners prepared to revolutionize sports psychology through evidence-based research and strategic performance enhancement techniques.

• 100% Online PhD Program
• New Start Date Every Monday
• 60 Total Credit Hours
• 20 Total Courses
• 48 Months to Complete
• No Scheduled Lecture Hours
• Weekly Course Assignments
• One-to-One Faculty Engagement
• Doctoral Faculty Mentorship
• Specialization in Sport Psychology

Northcentral University's PhD in Psychology with Sport and Performance Psychology concentration offers a rigorous online doctoral pathway for aspiring sports psychologists. The program distinguishes itself through comprehensive training in athletic performance enhancement, psychological resilience, and advanced research methodologies. Students explore complex intersections between mental health, athletic performance, and human motivation. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, critical analysis of sports psychology principles, and developing sophisticated intervention strategies for athletes across diverse competitive environments. Doctoral candidates benefit from personalized faculty mentorship, flexible scheduling, and a cutting-edge approach to understanding psychological dynamics in high-performance sports settings.

• 100% Online PhD-PSY
• New Start Date Every Monday
• 48 Months Program Length
• 20 Total Courses
• 60 Total Credit Hours
• No Scheduled Lecture Hours
• Weekly Course Assignments
• Doctoral Faculty Mentorship
• One-to-One Faculty Engagement
• Specialization in Sport Psychology

Rutgers University-Camden's Sport Psychology Concentration is a doctoral program designed to delve into the psychological intricacies of athletic performance. It offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, equipping students to effectively support athletes, coaches, and sports organizations. The curriculum covers advanced topics such as motivation, mental skills training, and intervention strategies, complemented by hands-on practica and research opportunities in diverse athletic environments. This program stands out for its emphasis on real-world experience, supported by the Sport Psychology Institute, and prepares graduates for impactful careers in sport psychology.

• Doctoral-level sport psychology courses
• Practica in athletic departments
• Dissertation research options
• Individual practice projects
• Sport Psychology Institute support

Rutgers University's Sport Psychology Concentration delivers an intensive doctoral-level program designed to cultivate advanced psychological expertise in athletic performance domains. Through a rigorous curriculum, students master cutting-edge intervention strategies, psychological assessment techniques, and research methodologies tailored to sports environments. The program distinguishes itself by integrating theoretical foundations with practical field experiences, enabling students to develop comprehensive skills in athlete mental conditioning, performance optimization, and organizational psychological support. Collaborative research opportunities and professional networking through the Sport Psychology Institute further enhance students' preparedness for leadership roles in sports psychology.

• Doctoral-level core sport psychology courses
• Supervised field experience opportunities
• Dissertation research in sport psychology
• Practical assessment and intervention training
• Sport Psychology Institute involvement

Springfield College offers a PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology, designed for aspiring scholars and leaders in the field. This 78-credit, campus-based program in Springfield, Mass, integrates psychological, sociological, physiological, and motor behavioral perspectives for a comprehensive understanding of sport and exercise psychology. It emphasizes evidence-based research methodologies, collaborative research opportunities, and professional development, including preparation for Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification. The program is structured for a 4-year full-time completion, with a unique cohort size of four students ensuring personalized attention. Admission requires a master's degree, GRE scores, a writing sample, and three recommendation letters. The program starts in September.

• 78-credit doctoral program
• Campus-based in Springfield, Mass
• 4-year full-time completion
• Cohort size of 4 students
• Prepares for CMPC certification
• Starts in September
• Master's degree required
• GRE required for admission
• Writing sample needed
• Three recommendation letters

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's PhD in Kinesiology and Sport Studies delivers an exceptional Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior concentration that uniquely bridges advanced research methodologies with practical professional applications. Students engage in cutting-edge interdisciplinary training, mastering sophisticated qualitative and quantitative research techniques essential for transformative work in academic and clinical environments. The meticulously structured program strategically prepares doctoral candidates for elite faculty positions, sophisticated research roles, and innovative clinical interventions in sport psychology, demanding comprehensive scholarly commitment through 72 graduate credit hours and an intensive dissertation process.

• Research-intensive doctoral degree
• Sport Psychology concentration available
• 72 graduate credit hours required
• Master's degree prerequisite
• 3-year typical completion time
• Interdisciplinary research approach
• Knoxville Campus location
• Comprehensive exam requirement
• 24 dissertation credit hours
• Prepares for faculty positions

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro's PhD in Kinesiology with a Sport and Exercise Psychology concentration stands out for its focus on the psychological aspects of sports and exercise. This program is designed for those aiming to become academic researchers or faculty members, offering in-depth study into how cognitive, emotional, and social factors affect human performance. With access to state-of-the-art research facilities and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, students are well-prepared for careers in academia and professional training. The program emphasizes close mentorship from faculty, ensuring a supportive and enriching educational experience. Highlights include being a top 15 nationally ranked program and offering extensive research laboratory facilities.

• Top 15 Nationally Ranked Program
• R2 University Research Productivity
• In-Person Doctoral Degree
• Research Laboratory Facilities
• Faculty Research Funding
• Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities
• Close Faculty Mentorship
• Sport and Exercise Psychology Concentration
• Academic Career Preparation

The University of North Texas offers a PhD in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Psychosocial Aspects of Sports and Exercise, designed for those aiming to delve deep into the psychological factors influencing sports and exercise behaviors. This campus-based program emphasizes a research-intensive curriculum, preparing students for careers in academia, research, and applied settings. With a focus on the psychosocial aspects, students engage in advanced coursework, practicum experiences, and dissertation research, supported by the Center for Sport Psychology. The program requires 63 semester hours, offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in intervention development and research methodology across various environments. Requires GRE.

• 63 semester hours required
• Collaborative interdepartmental program
• Practicum opportunities available
• Focus on research methodology
• Career paths in academia/research
• Advanced sport psychology courses
• Dissertation required component
• Hands-on intervention experience
• Center for Sport Psychology support
• Multiple research environments

The University of Northern Colorado's Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Science: Social Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity stands out for its focus on the social aspects influencing sport and physical activity behaviors. This campus-based program is tailored for those aiming for academic careers, offering a blend of rigorous coursework, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a requirement of 64-67 total credits, including 51 credit hours of coursework, students delve into topics such as obesity, education, aging, and community health. The program is internationally recognized for its small, selective nature and emphasis on preparing students for university faculty positions. Currently, the program is not accepting applications. Requires GRE.

• Unique Social Psychology of Sport PhD
• 64-67 total credits required
• Located in Greeley, Colorado
• 51 credit hours of coursework
• Internationally recognized program
• Small, selective doctoral program
• Research-focused curriculum
• Interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities
• Preparation for university faculty positions
• Currently not accepting applications