Department of Kinesiology
Sport Psychology Graduate Program
As listed in the Directory of Graduate Programs in Applied Sport Psychology, our graduate program is based on the certification guidelines prepared by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Our curriculum is designed to prepare graduate students to pursue (a) careers in coaching, teaching, sports medicine, athletic training, health and fitness, or performance enhancement consulting, (b) doctoral degrees in sport psychology or related field such as kinesiology, education, or social psychology, and/or (c) certification in sport psychology consulting as an AASP Certified Consultant.
Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology or a related field may be required to complete nine or more units of prerequisite coursework. In many cases, this coursework may be completed concurrently with enrollment in the graduate program.
Learn about our curriculum
Our program consists of 30 credit units.
| Course | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| KINES 230 | Statistical Interference in Kinesiology | 3 |
| KINES 231 | Research Methods in Kinesiology | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| KINES 262 | Social Implications of Sport | 3 |
| KINES 263 | Psychology of Sport: Mental Training | 3 |
| KINES 264 | Psychology of Coaching: Talent Development | 3 |
| KINES 265 | Psychobiology of Sport and Exercise | 3 |
| KINES 266 | Psychology of Injury in Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
Comprehensive examination, plus any two KINES 200-level or approved outside area courses
Research
Sport Psychology faculty and students are very active in a wide range of applied research projects. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one applied research project while enrolled in the program. Funding support is typically available as many of these research projects are supported by grants and awards. Faculty and students have conducted research with a diverse array of participants including high school and college student-athletes, youth sport and college coaches, university athletic directors, physical education teachers, and public school students.
Meet the Sport Psychology Faculty
The Fresno State Sport Psychology faculty group is nationally and internationally recognized for their applied scholarship, leadership, and service to the field. Learn more about our faculty’s contributions and areas of interest by visiting their webpages.
Student Engagement
Sport Psychology Students have many opportunities outside of formal coursework and applied research to network and build their sport psychology skills. Students can join The Sport Psychology Club, which is an official student organization recognized by the Associated Students, Inc. at California State University, Fresno. The Club holds regular meetings in the Sport and Exercise Psychology Laboratory and participates in a wide range of community events, including the annual American Cancer Society’s 24-Hour Relay for Life and local sport and health fairs. Members of the Club regularly also provide guest presentations on sport psychology to undergraduate classes in the Psychology department.
Alumni Success
Sport Psychology graduate students typically apply their knowledge and skills to careers in sport psychology consulting, teaching, coaching, and athletic training. Our alumni have earned positions as mental performance coaches, university and community college instructors, head coaches in college and K-12 schools, and athletic trainers in college, community and professional sport settings. Our students have also gained entrance into leading sport psychology doctoral programs at schools such as Boston University, Florida State University, Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, Oregon State University, the University of Northern Colorado, and the University of Ottawa.
Contact Information:
Wade Gilbert, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator and Professor
wgilbert@csufresno.edu
559.278.5170
South Gym 128