Improve the Minds of Athletes with a BS Degree in Sport Psychology
Have you always loved sports? Are you interested in working with athletes as your profession? Our Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology – Sport Psychology may be the degree for you! This program can help you motivate athletes who are struggling or desire to improve their performance.
This program is tailored to provide you with an in-depth understanding of psychological principles and how they apply to the world of sports. You’ll delve into the study of human behavior, studying how psychological factors can affect performance in sports and athletic settings.
As you delve into the world of sport psychology, you’ll discover the immense power of mental health in enhancing athletic performance. Your understanding of psychological principles can enable you to help athletes overcome challenges such as performance anxiety, focus issues, and motivation blocks. By applying your knowledge, you can make a real difference in athletes’ lives, helping them to achieve their full potential. Imagine the satisfaction of watching an athlete you’ve guided overcome personal hurdles and succeed, knowing you played a part in their journey.
Moreover, the skills you acquire in this program can be valuable beyond the athletic field. The understanding of human behavior, stress management techniques, and motivational strategies are applicable in various settings – from corporate environments to educational institutions. You can become equipped to foster positive change in diverse contexts, helping people from all walks of life to realize their potential and overcome psychological barriers.
Finally, blending academic rigor with a Christian perspective, the BS in Sports Psychology program at Liberty University offers you a unique opportunity to explore how faith and psychological principles can intersect. This integration can enrich your professional practice with ethical and compassionate approaches, making you not just a skilled professional but a conscientious one as well.
Award-Winning Campus
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education that equips students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence helped us rank as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Why Choose Liberty’s Bachelor’s Psychology – Sport Psychology Degree?
You need a program that can help set you apart from the competition and prepare you for your future. You may choose to start your career immediately upon graduation or apply to graduate school. Either way, we’ve got you covered with the resources and experience you’ll need to excel in your field.
One of our most valuable resources is our professors. These men and women are such an important asset to you as a student because they are highly skilled professionals in the field of sport psychology with years of experience and degrees in related fields. Plus, they are excited about the opportunity to mentor, guide, and support you throughout your academic journey here at Liberty.
Additionally, our commitment to integrating a Christian worldview into its curriculum adds a distinct dimension to your education. This perspective encourages you to approach sport psychology with ethical considerations and a compassionate understanding of individuals. For you, this means not only becoming a professional in your field but also developing as a person who values integrity and empathy. Such a holistic approach to education can help prepare you not just for a career but for a life of purpose and service.
The university’s state-of-the-art facilities and resources are another reason why this program is an excellent choice for you. Here, you will have access to the latest research, technology, and learning tools in the field of sport psychology. These resources are designed to enhance your academic experience and keep you at the forefront of emerging trends and practices in the field. This exposure is invaluable, preparing you to enter the professional world with confidence and up-to-date knowledge.
Something else you’ll take part in is our required internship. This is your chance to get real-world experience before you graduate and make valuable connections along the way. You may choose to intern with a school, church, nonprofit, or private practice, or you might work under a coach to get experience working with athletes directly.
What Will You Learn in Our Sport Psychology Bachelor’s Degree?
Our desire is to provide you with a degree that will prepare you for a future in your intended field. We want you to feel ready for your next step upon graduation—whether that be starting your career immediately or going on to graduate school. Your courses can provide you with the tools and knowledge to be successful regardless of which path you choose.
You’re going to need foundational knowledge in order to succeed as a sport psychologist. That’s why your coursework will include topics like social psychology, personality, multicultural counseling, statistics, physiological psychology, and psychological measurement.
As you progress, the program introduces you to the intricate aspects of social psychology and behavioral modification. These courses can provide you with insights into how social interactions and behaviors can be shaped and modified, which is essential in team dynamics and individual athlete coaching. You can study how to apply these concepts to enhance the performance and well-being of athletes.
Further, as a sports psychology major, your courses will focus on multicultural counseling and research issues, along with psychological measurement and abnormal psychology. These areas can help prepare you to address diverse needs and challenges athletes may face, from cultural differences to mental health issues. Understanding these aspects is crucial in providing holistic support to athletes in various settings.
Additionally, courses like group dynamics, experimental design in research, and sport and exercise psychology can give you hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of group behavior in sports, research methodologies, and the psychological aspects of sports and exercise. The program culminates with an internship, providing you with the opportunity to apply your explored skills in a real-world setting, thus bridging the gap between academic theory and professional practice.
View the Degree Completion Plan, and check out our featured courses below for more information on what you’ll be studying!
Featured Courses
PSYC 312 – Social Psychology
PSYC 341 – Psychology of Personality
PSYC 365 – Psychological Foundations of Learning
PSYC 420 – Psychology and Christianity
Highlights of Our BS in Psychology – Sport Psychology Degree
- Christ-centered courses that give you the cutting edge in research and counseling techniques
- Multiple areas of study to help you specialize in the career you want to pursue
- Faculty-student mentoring in research projects with the potential of presentation publication of your research as an undergraduate student
- Multiple psychology events and internship opportunities are available to give you real work and training experience
- Academic trips available to Ecuador, New York, and Poland
- Our psychology club—Club Psych—allows you to interact with professors and peers in the field
Bachelor’s in Sport Psychology Degree Information
- Residential
- 120 total credit hours
- Transfer in up to 75% of your total degree
- This program falls under the School of Behavioral Sciences
- View the Degree Completion Plan
- View our course catalog
Potential Career Opportunities for BS in Psychology – Sport Psychology Graduates
- Church counselor
- College professor/researcher
- Counselor in a group home
- Counselor/psychologist with a private practice
- Professional sports coach
- Residential treatment counselor/psychologist
- Sport psychologist
- Substance abuse counselor
- Treatment center counselor/psychologist
Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees
Every application is reviewed by the admission committee on a case-by-case basis, meaning there are no set minimums for acceptance. However, all applicants must submit the following documents* for admission:
- Admission application
- Official high school transcripts
- Official college transcripts (if applicable)
- Results from the CLT, SAT, or ACT are not required for admission, but may be used in consideration for merit-based aid.
- Admission essay
*Note that additional documentation may be requested by the admission committee after your application has been received.