Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Gain knowledge and skills on the influences of the psychological aspects of exercise, injury and physical activity on performance.
2. Achieve a greater understanding of performance and achievement within the context of sport at a variety of levels, with diverse populations and in many different sports.
3. Consider a holistic perspective of sport, which includes athlete-centered coaching, cultural competence, development of character and life lessons through youth sport.
4. Demonstrate cultural competence, effective leadership and ethical decision-making skills.

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
• Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • Mostly online
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology provide students, athletes and those preparing for careers as coaches and sport practitioners with the knowledge of psychological theory and skills to enhance human behavior in the sport and exercise settings and the performing arts. The major differs from existing sport-related bachelor's degree programs due to its focus on psychological processes related to sport performance, as opposed to existing programs that focus on pedagogical, physiological or the business aspects of sport performance.

The Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology major explores social-psychological concepts such as motivation, self-confidence, anxiety or burnout, and how these concepts interact with the sport environment to influence athletes (e.g., losing focus under pressure or having self-doubts during a game) and performance. The program prepares students with essential knowledge of psychological aspects of sport performance and ethical practice to work in wide-ranging sport-related fields or to further their education in their chosen careers via graduate programs and mental performance certification by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Explain the role of the individual and the environments in sport and exercise behavior.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the foundation of motivation in sport sciences, learning and personal life.
3. Define and illustrate the concepts, tools and application of mental skills and performance enhancement.
4. Design and evaluate an applied research study from inception to conclusions.
5. Define the standards for competence, domestic and global diversity and ethical principles (i.e., AASP and APA) and its role in sport psychology professional practice.

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Students considering admission into a sport psychology graduate program should attain a higher GPA, as admission to those programs are competitive.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery
  • Online
  • Mostly Online
• Location
  • Kent Campus