Master of Science in Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology

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Program Overview

Program Background

The Master of Science in Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology is a unique program that has been designed in association with a panel of leading experts from the sport, health & fitness industries. With an industry focus, this program is highly practical and applied, teaching many skills and tools for success in addition to covering the key theoretical components. This program is designed for practitioners first and foremost, with routes to progress in academia facilitated also.

It is the first program that has been designed to serve 2 different student streams across multiple international locations. Students from a psychological background enter the program with ‘graduate basis for chartered membership’ (GBC) from their professional society accredited bachelor’s program. The program has been designed to meet the requirements of the main professional societies to continue that GBC pathway at grad-school level. Students coming from a sport science or S&C background will benefit from the structures put in place by the professional psychological societies but also gain exposure to the requirements of the more applied non-psychological industry societies.

This program has been developed to facilitate the learning of working professionals as well as recent graduates who wish to gain experience while they study. Delivered in a flexible fashion over 18-24 months with weekly lectures delivered online and fitting flexibly into your current life commitments, the practical and applied nature of this program includes a number of very exciting and engaging face-to-face workshops twice during your period of study. Led by World-leading practitioners, this program offers students the opportunity to learn from those who are active in the work environment alongside their research and teaching.

Courses covered:

Research Methods
This course aims to develop the ability to evaluate different research designs when considering research evidence critically. The course will develop the appropriate skills and capabilities using a range of techniques and research methods to collect and analyze data (both qualitatively and qualitatively) relevant to sport and exercise psychology.
Students will master the techniques needed to critically appraise published research and carry out a piece of original research. Topics will include the scientific method applied to exercise sciences, literature search techniques, research design, sampling, the organization of a research project, research ethics, measurement techniques, the analysis of new and extant quantitative data sets, the effective presentation of results and routes of dissemination.
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Reflective Sport & Exercise Psychology in Practice
The reflective practice lies at the heart of the work of the influential coach, teacher, instructor, and sport and exercise psychologist, providing a core principle around which significant careers can be built. This course will use reflective practice as its core principle. Further, will explore critical topics for practicing sport and exercise psychologists, ensuring they develop the skills and competencies to undertake consultancy at individual, group, community, or population levels.
The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the importance of maintaining ethical standards and essential insight into the various frameworks adopted in applied work. It aims to develop the ability to work with a range of clients and to develop, monitor, and evaluate psychological interventions. It will also assess the potential role of emerging technology and the importance of entrepreneurial skills for a successful career.
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Cognition, Perception & Neuropsychology
This course focuses on the advancement of expertise at a range of developmental levels. It explores a range of theories, processes, and techniques relating to the development of knowledge and perceptual-cognitive skill in several contextual settings. It aims to understand the issues around developing expertise, covering topics such as skill acquisition, learning and coaching styles, stages of development, practice types, and specialism/diversification. It also examines issues around expert perception and decision-making, as well as training critical perceptual-cognitive skills. The course explores recent developments in neuropsychology and the applied implications of this work for performers and practitioners.
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Psychological Skills Training & Interventions
This course explores the application of a range of techniques used in applied sport and exercise psychology. The course is designed to provide a detailed understanding of the challenges of delivering a range of psychological interventions from a theoretical and applied perspective. From a theoretical perspective, it will develop knowledge of crucial behavior change techniques and psychological strategies, including goal setting, self-talk, imagery, stress management, and concentration training. From an applied perspective, it will look at how these approaches can be deployed from the initial steps in applied consultancy (including gaining entry), through employing contextually appropriate needs assessment techniques to understand clients and their behaviors through to developing, applying, and monitoring effective methodologies via which to utilize critical techniques.
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Social Psychology – Interpersonal & Group Processes
Sport and exercise do not happen in a vacuum and will always be affected by psychosocial processes. This course examines social, psychological, and individual difference issues relating to the context of sport and exercise. In addition to providing a theoretical underpinning to the psychosocial processes relevant to sport and exercise, methods will be demonstrated to equip students with various techniques to optimise these processes. This will involve the identification and assessment of individual differences. It will also evaluate the importance of interpersonal effectiveness as a critical factor in coaching, teaching, instructing, and applying psychological skills to optimise their application. The course will also focus on group interaction and the importance of building effective teams in various contexts.
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Enhancing Health & Wellbeing
This course will explore contemporary topics in health and exercise psychology and focus on applying psychological principles to promote physical activity, health, and wellbeing. The course will promote an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the potential benefits of sport and exercise participation on a range of general health and wellbeing indicators and the importance of considering individual differences in designing any intervention. It will integrate a range of contemporary research evidence across several topics to investigate how psychological processes and approaches can increase and adhere to healthy lifestyles.Topics will include individual differences, motivation, lifestyle factors, behavior change, the effects of exercise on self-concept, the impact of exercise on psychological illness, and social interaction on adherence. This information will design and evaluate potential approaches and strategies to public and individual health interventions.
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Applied Project
This course is designed to allow the student to carry out an individual scientific investigation on a topic relating to the student’s interest and career direction. It is designed to pull together the learning from all of the previous courses and further develop the skills to review, synthesize, and critically appraise academic literature. Students will be expected to design, analyze and interpret data and present findings in a scientific paper format.
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Course Duration

The program duration is 84 weeks. This includes:

6 online courses (each course is 12 weeks in duration)
On-site residential weeks, practical application, and lectures.
Final Project (additional 3 months to complete)

A joint program by:

Setanta College and the Irish American University

The Master of Science in Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology is awarded by Irish American University under its accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, one of the world’s leading accrediting bodies. Furthermore, Setanta College Professional Advisory Board, other subject matter experts, and international sporting organisations have informed, reviewed, and approved the course content.

Program Details & Enrollment

Delivery Method

This program has been developed to facilitate the learning of working professionals as well as recent graduates who wish to gain experience while they study. The old graduate school model of suspending your life for a period of 12-24 months is no longer feasible in a world of disruption and fast-paced innovation. This program is delivered in a flexible fashion over 18-24 months with weekly lectures delivered online and fitting seamlessly into your current life commitments. The practical and applied nature of this program includes a number of very exciting and engaging face-to-face workshops twice during your period of study. These take place every 6 months on campus and are unlike any lecture environment you will have experienced before. Each workshop is delivered over a 5-day period with practical skills and applied knowledge taught by the elite lecturing faculty alongside a number of highly-reputable guest lecturers from the world of sport and exercise psychology.

Delivery Method Video Sample

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Final Project and Assessment

You will submit a final project following the completion of the six online courses. During the online element, you will receive guidance and mentoring from a faculty member who will assist you in the selection of a final project.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and competencies in the following areas:

The ability to critically evaluate the current knowledge, theory, and evidence base relevant to the discipline of sport and exercise psychology.
To develop the advanced knowledge skills and capabilities required for effective sport and exercise psychology practice.
To evaluate sport and exercise psychology’s role in the broader discipline of sport and exercise science and to integrate methodologies in an interdisciplinary manner.
To utilize a range of appropriate practical techniques to enable a range of solutions to psychological challenges.
To evaluate and apply appropriate research methods applicable to psychological inquiry
The capacity to apply relevant ethical, legal, and professional practice frameworks and to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
To communicate effectively (verbally and non-verbally) with a range of audiences and to disseminate their work in a range of appropriate formats.
The ability to synthesize information from multiple sources into comprehensive and appropriate support systems.
To be able to reflect on one’s practice critically and to develop a professional identity

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this Master of Science in Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology are uniquely positioned for successful careers in a variety of different areas. Graduates will typically pursue employment as psychologists in sport, exercise, performance, or health at professional sporting organisations, NGBs, government-led councils, or in consultancy practices. There is also the doctoral progression options that lead into academia and lecturing/research opportunities. Many other students will operate as mental skills coaches and performance coaches in sport, exercise, and even business settings. Having a knowledge of psychology and how to enhance human performance is an indispensable understanding and can lead graduates to success in many job areas outside of psychology driven career paths.

Our Alumni are highly employable throughout the world. Currently, our graduates are engaged in the following sectors:

English Premiership Soccer
European Golf Tour
US PGA Tour
AFL Australia
Australia Rugby Union
England Rugby Union
Irish Rugby Football Union
French Rugby Federation
NFL
MLB
World Rugby
International Sports Teams

Entry Requirements

Candidates may be accepted onto the program who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, with preference given to applicants with related subjects such as, but not limited to:

Psychology
Counseling/Psychotherapy
Health & Fitness
Sport Science
Physical Education
Nutrition
Physiotherapy/Physical Therapy
Anatomy, Physiology
Kinesiology/Bio-Kinetics
Human Biology
Dance Science, Movement Science
Athletic Training/Therapy
Strength & Conditioning

….OR

An appropriate professional qualification and at least five years of relevant experience

….OR

Special Case Registrations: Recognized Prior Learning (RPL) entry will be available for those without a related degree. Individual assessment will apply and applicants will be subject to interview.

English proficiency to be demonstrated through any of the following:

High school/second-level exam in English with a grade of C or higher
IELTS with an average overall score of 6.5
TOEFL – 75 on the Internet-based test (iBT) or a 510 on the paper-based test (pBT)
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) with a minimum of 67 points in each element
Students also can qualify by taking a standard college admissions test, such as the ACT or SAT and perform well on the English sections of the tests. Generally, students must score at least an 18 on the English and Reading sections of the ACT and at least a 510 on the evidence-based reading and writing sections of the new SAT

Recognition and Accreditation

Designed, Validated and Accredited by Industry Experts and Organizations

The Master of Science in Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology is a joint programme by Setanta College and Irish American University.

Furthermore, Setanta College Professional Advisory Board, other subject matter experts, and international sporting organisations have informed, reviewed, and approved the program content. This includes World Rugby, the Titleist Performance Institute and the NSCA (National Strength & Conditioning Association) who recognize our programs and qualifications.

Tuition Fees & How To Apply

Tuition for Complete Program

$18,000⁰⁰

Annual Intakes: March & September

IMPORTANT: There is no automatic entry on to the Program. To be considered for the Master of Science in Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology, please complete the Application Form by clicking the button below:

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