Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology

4.5 Quarter Units

This course examines the history, purpose, discipline, and basic techniques of sport and performance psychology. Students will examine how foundational principles in psychology were applied to performance and sport settings, and how current practices are shaped by ongoing research, inquiry, and application.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course examines the professional laws and ethics pertaining to the practice of counseling and psychotherapy, with an emphasis on the laws and ethics pertaining to therapy and consulting with individuals and groups in a wide variety of settings. The content of various relevant legal and ethical codes will be reviewed, and the similarities and differences in ethical practice between the contexts of psychotherapy and performance psychology consulting will be explored in depth.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course will provide a foundation of knowledge in the field of sport and performance psychology relevant to specific performance enhancement techniques.Students will examine ethical issues, explore being professional in the field, and enhance competence in performance enhancement skills and techniques for use in Sport and Performance Psychology, consulting with athletes in a variety of diverse settings. Through theoretical research of the techniques, students will create a binder of Sport and Performance Psychology- based handouts to prepare for their work with a diverse population of clients.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course offers an overview of major theoretical counseling orientations and techniques and their application in performance psychology settings. Emphasis is on basic interviewing, assessment, and counseling skills that facilitate the helping process through integration of various theoretical models.

4.5 Quarter Units

The course encompasses the purpose, implementation and utility of assessment strategies within sport and performance settings. Topics include the use of structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews, performing behavioral observations, theoretical foundations of assessment measures, test construction and the administration, scoring and interpretation of objective psychological measures applicable to the sport/performance setting. This course will emphasize synthesizing information gleaned from multiple methods to assist in accurate initial assessment, intervention planning, and evaluating changes in performance. The course will also highlight the importance of keeping case notes and accurate record keeping. Templates will be developed for informed consent and case notes. Finally, this course will discuss how to make referrals and how to assess for suicide in non-clinical settings.

4.5 Quarter Units

This is a course that introduces the concept of mindfulness. Students will gain basic knowledge in mindfulness meditation practices. The course will focus on the historical background, define concepts, present research, and enable opportunities for students to practice a wide variety of techniques. In-class participation and assignments will foster experience and familiarity with theories, strategies, and techniques, thereby allowing students to accumulate an applied knowledge of mindfulness that can be integrated into their personal and professional practices.

4.5 Quarter Units

The focus of this course is to learn how to facilitate leadership and team building, through interactive experiences, in an effective way. Students will learn ways of working with a team in order to build necessary skills including cohesion, communication, trust, and respect. Emphasis will be placed on activities, skills and strategies that will enable students to effectively work with teams and groups of many kinds. The students will gain an understanding of group behavior and dynamics and will be able to use this knowledge with diverse populations. Students will learn to recognize ethical issues in relation to working with groups and will examine their interpersonal and professional style through hands-on application of ideas.

0.0 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 602; PSY 607; PSY 644; PSY 648; PSY 637A; PSY 614; PSY 647; PSY 649; PSY 656

Comprehensive written examination covering material from year one, to be taken after successfully completing PSY 602, PSY 607, PSY 644, PSY 648, PSY 637A, PSY 614, PSY 647, PSY 649, and PSY 656.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course sequence is designed to present an overview of research designs and methods, including qualitative and quantitative approaches to research. Additionally, ethics in research, issues of diversity and multicultural competence relevant to the research process, and an introduction to the process of publishing within journals and other outlets will be covered.

4.5 Quarter Units

An exploration of the role of culture in concepts of sport and performance psychology consultation and intervention. Students will examine how their own cultural background frames their understanding of themselves and others. Family heritage culturally informed assessment and intervention, and the limitations of the dominant Eurocentric psychological worldview to diverse populations are explored.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 614A

Counseling Skills course introduces and develops the skills needed to assess, counsel, and provide an intervention plan as a mental performance coach. This course will explore the aspects of facilitating client development in a multicultural society. Students will gain an understanding of listening skills, the key concepts and core skills of communication. Emphasis will be placed on identifying which theories should be used for different patterns of behavior, situations and cultural groups. Students will practice those skills and discuss how to handle ethical dilemmas in a counseling relationship. Students are expected to integrate skills with their personal style and theory.

1.5 Quarter Units

Covers first practicum placement along with weekly individual and group mentorship. The internship-placement aspect requires students to intern at a site working with performers and applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. Individual and group mentorship involves one-on-one meetings, discussions, case presentations, role-playing, and covers ethical issues. The combined mentorship provides students with a supportive environment for discussions exploring issues which pertain to their fieldwork experience. The Applied Training Handbook is a reference source for all matters related to being a Student-Intern.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 644

This is an advanced course for the Sport and Performance Psychology Program. It covers a more in-depth approach to using the performance enhancement techniques and troubleshooting issues that clients may be presenting to the consultant. The students will address professional and ethical issues of consulting in the field and in relation to their own personal consulting style. They will be able to apply these skills to diverse populations. Students will work on going more in-depth in individual consulting sessions.

1.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 659A

Covers second practicum placement along with weekly individual and group mentorship. The internship-placement aspect requires students to intern at a site working with performers and applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. Individual and group mentorship involves one-on-one meetings, discussions, case presentations, role-playing, and covers ethical issues. The combined mentorship provides students with a supportive environment for discussions exploring issues which pertain to their fieldwork experience. Prior to internships, students will complete the first internship course. The Fieldwork Handbook is a reference source for all matters related to being a Student-Intern.

4.5 Quarter Units

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the major classifications of psychopathology and their impact upon individual performance. Psychopathology Assessment will introduce students to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5TR). Emphasis will be placed on assessing mental health conditions that require referrals to appropriate treating professionals. Psychopathology Assessment focuses on recognizing the classification of mood and anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders, eating disorders, sleep disorders, organic brain disorders, thought disorders, personality disorders, and substance abuse disorders.

1.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 659B

Covers third practicum placement along with weekly individual and group mentorship. The internship-placement aspect requires students to intern at a site working with performers and applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. Individual and group mentorship involves one-on-one meetings, discussions, case presentations, role-playing, and covers ethical issues. The combined mentorship provides students with a supportive environment for discussions exploring issues which pertain to their fieldwork experience. The Applied Training Handbook is a reference source for all matters related to being a Student-Intern.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 602

This is an advanced course in sport and performance psychology. The main theoretical approaches in the field of Sport and Performance Psychology will be revisited, updated and addressed from an integrated perspective. The students will be expected to synthesize the various theoretical perspectives and current research findings and show how this integrated perspective can help their work with performers. The students will be encouraged to think and work from an evidence-based perspective. The students will develop their own philosophy of practice. The course will continue to encourage students to think critically about the research presented and how it relates to their work in the field as a practitioner.

1.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 659C

Covers fourth practicum placement along with weekly individual and group mentorship. The internship-placement aspect requires students to intern at a site working with performers and applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. Individual and group mentorship involves one-on-one meetings, discussions, case presentations, role-playing, and covers ethical issues. The combined mentorship provides students with a supportive environment for discussions exploring issues which pertain to their fieldwork experience. The Applied Training Handbook is a reference source for all matters related to being a Student-Intern.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 657; PSY 682; PSY 658; PSY 684

The Applied Project involves effective, appropriate, and professional communication issues. Topics addressed will include ethics and professionalism in writing and the publication process. The final product will be an applied paper or project that will be of a publishable quality incorporating evidence-based research in a form that does not necessarily require collection and/or presentation of data. The project must be agreed upon by the instructor and student. At the end of the Applied Project, students will present their work to their peers and the Sport and Performance Psychology department.

1.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 659D

Covers fifth practicum placement along with weekly individual and group mentorship. The internship-placement aspect requires students to intern at a site working with performers and applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. Individual and group mentorship involves one-on-one meetings, discussions, case presentations, role-playing, and covers ethical issues. The combined mentorship provides students with a supportive environment for discussions exploring issues which pertain to their fieldwork experience. The Applied Training Handbook is a reference source for all matters related to being a Student-Intern.

0.0 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 685

Comprehensive oral examination covering materials in all phases of the program to be taken in the student’s last course.

1.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 659E

Covers sixth practicum placement along with weekly individual and group mentorship. The internship-placement aspect requires students to intern at a site working with performers and applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. Individual and group mentorship involves one-on-one meetings, discussions, case presentations, role-playing, and covers ethical issues. The combined mentorship provides students with a supportive environment for discussions exploring issues which pertain to their fieldwork experience. The Applied Training Handbook is a reference source for all matters related to being a Student-Intern.

4.5 Quarter Units

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the major classifications of psychopathology and their impact upon individual performance. Psychopathology Assessment will introduce students to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5TR). Emphasis will be placed on assessing mental health conditions that require referrals to appropriate treating professionals. Psychopathology Assessment focuses on recognizing the classification of mood and anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders, eating disorders, sleep disorders, organic brain disorders, thought disorders, personality disorders, and substance abuse disorders.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course examines the role of motor and biomechanical factors in performance situations. Course content includes the biomechanics of performance, linear and angular kinetics, the role of torque and force in performance, and the risks associated with biomechanical stress.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 657; PSY 658; PSY 606

The capstone provides practical application of sport and performance psychology principles in a professional setting. A thesis consisting of the written report of an in-depth research project is required. This project must be initiated, executed, and reported by the student under the mentorship of the faculty.