Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (MA)
The Master of Arts in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology is uniquely designed to educate and train students to become ethical, professional and culturally competent practitioners who work with performers in a variety of domains. From sporting arenas and businesses to performing arts and health care, students will learn to integrate established theories with evidence-based techniques to enhance the mental performance of individuals and teams. Students will gain practical experience working with performers to help their clients’ personal growth and their ability to excel in pressure situations. The program’s focus will be on applied experiences through various opportunities, including the athletic department or via sites local to students.
Graduates may complete hours and coursework needed to be eligible to apply for certification as Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
Program Values
The Applied Sport and Performance Psychology Department at Dominican University of California values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strives to take an anti-racist and anti-oppressive approach in the classroom. We work to both be culturally humble professors and help develop cultural humility in our trainee-practitioners. We encourage students to join us in the ongoing work of social justice and advocacy
Program Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, a student should be able to:
- Ethics and Professionalism - Apply the professional and ethical standards guiding Sport and Performance Psychology
- Theory and Research - Synthesize theoretical principles and evidence-based research to inform applied practice
- Case Conceptualization - Formulate theoretically grounded and evidence-based case conceptualizations for work with individuals and groups
- Mental Skills Training - Design, implement and assess a comprehensive mental skills training plan that can adapt to meet client needs over time
- Emotional Intelligence - Reflect upon and manage one’s own emotions to effectively support clients. Facilitate client awareness and management of emotions to support performance and well-being
- Cultural Intelligence - Recognize and adapt to the diverse sociocultural contexts in which both the student and client live and perform
Applied Performance Performance
The Applied Sport and Performance Psychology program offers students the opportunity to work hands-on with individuals and teams in sport and performance settings. These settings include club sports, high schools, collegiate teams and performance domains outside of sport. Placement participation is a core feature of the ASPP program. All placements are supervised, in both individual and group supervision, by faculty members who are Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. After passing required prerequisite courses, students will complete their first placement (Intensive Placement; PI) onsite. The second and third placements are at a site of the student's choosing, based on their logistical and geographical needs. All students must be approved to take part in the placement program by the department, and applications will be vetted internally to ensure fit. Both PII and PIII are a minimum of a 16-week commitment.
Required courses
| ASPP 5200 | Introduction to Sport and Performance Psychology | 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5202 | Advanced Sport and Performance Psychology | 2.00 units |
| ASPP 5203 | Counseling Skills in Sport and Performance Psychology | 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5204 | Applied Mental Skills Training | 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5205 | Advanced Mental Skills Training | 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5206 | Psychopathology | 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5207 | Professional Ethics and Standards in Sport and Performance Psychology | 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5208 | Assessment in Sport and Performance Psychology | 2.00 units |
| ASPP 5209 | Research Methods in Sport and Performance Psychology | 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5210 | Diversity in Sport and Performance Psychology | 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5213 | Group Dynamics | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5215 | The Business of Consulting | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5219 | Psychology of Human Development | 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5221 | Applied Performance Project I | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5222 | Applied Performance Project II | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5223 | Applied Performance Project III | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5224 | Applied Performance Project IV | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5229 | Introduction to Applied Performance Placements | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5230 | Applied Performance Placement I: Intensive Placement Preparation | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5231 | Applied Performance Placement I: Intensive Placement Camps | 2.00 unit |
| ASPP 5232 | Applied Performance Placement II | 1.00 - 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5233 | Applied Performance Placement III | 1.00 - 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5241 | Performance Masterclass | 0.00 units |
| ASPP 5251 | APA Writing Workshop | 0.50 units |
| ASPP 5252 | Speak Like a Champ Workshop | 0.50 units |
| ASPP 5253 | Team Building Workshop | 0.50 units |
| ASPP 5254 | Team Building Workshop | 0.50 units |
| ASPP 5290 | Exit Meeting | 0.00 units |
| ASPP 5298 | Final Comprehensive Examination | 0.00 units |
| Total Credit Hours: | 48 |
Electives
Select a minimum of 4 units from the list below:
| ASPP 5301 | Applying Mindfulness in Sport and Performance Psychology | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5302 | Introduction to Executive Coaching | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5303 | Mental Performance in eSports | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5304 | Mental Performance in Military Populations | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5305 | Mental Performance in Athletic Coaching | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5306 | Mental Skills Training: Consulting Through a Season | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5307 | Neurocognitive Technology Applications in Sport and Performance Psychology | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5308 | Optimal Performance Recovery | 1.00 unit |
| ASPP 5309 | Motor Learning and Control | 3.00 units |
| ASPP 5310 | Performance Psychology in the Perf Arts | 1.00 unit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: 52
Program Fees:
ASPP 5241: $100 each semester
ASPP 5231, ASPP 5232, ASPP 5233: $300 each semester
ASPP 5298: $350 one-time fee