19.4: Jobs and Careers in Sport Psychology

Opportunities for careers in sport psychology have seen significant growth in recent decades. However, the field of sport psychology is unlike many others in that there is not a prescribed career path everyone follows. Professionals with sport psychology backgrounds hold a variety of positions with different titles across a number of settings. This level of professional diversity in the field can be difficult to navigate for those who do not already find themselves within this unique professional network. The diversity of careers available is largely a function of education and training. Therefore, we will briefly introduce different jobs and careers in sport psychology and the steps it takes to acquire such positions.

Prior to exploring specific employment opportunities, it is important to briefly acknowledge that the field of sport psychology has research and applied components. These components are distinct from one another but also integrate and influence each other in a manner that continues to push the field forward. Research provides the field with scientifically backed theories and principles that shape the work done in performance settings by applied practitioners. The systematic application of techniques informed by research often highlight knowledge gaps that warrant further exploration. It is necessary for us to acknowledge these components and the reciprocal nature of their contributions because they are what shape typical job opportunities in the field. Thus, career types in the field of sport psychology are often characterized by applied or research responsibilities and occasionally both. One’s chosen career path will depend on academic history and various experiences in disciplines associated with sport psychology.

19.4.1. Academic Training in Sport Psychology

As previously mentioned in this chapter, the field of sport psychology has links to the broader sport science and psychology academic disciplines. Understanding human behavior in sport and performance settings and the application of that knowledge requires that future professionals in the field acquire training in various areas of specialization within sport sciences and psychology. These include but are not limited to biomechanics, physiology, motor development and control, sociology, counseling, and educational psychology. The academic path to a professional career in sport psychology depends largely on individual aspirations but will typically involve undergraduate and graduate studies.

The academic training one receives will move from broad foundational knowledge to more narrow and tailored training. It may come as no surprise that earning a bachelor’s degree in health or sport sciences, kinesiology, or psychology will provide high quality foundational knowledge necessary for a successful future career in the field. Those who choose to major in one of the aforementioned topics and minor in another may even experience a greater benefit. For example, one may choose to major in psychology and minor kinesiology or vice versa. This combination of educational programs is not absolutely necessary as many students with unique undergraduate experiences are admitted to and successfully perform in sport psychology master’s programs. Rarely do students receive extensive sport psychology-specific education at the undergraduate level, and obtaining a master’s degree in the area is needed for future professional success. Earning a master’s degree in sport psychology enables people to begin providing applied sport psychology services and may also train them for more advanced research at the doctoral level. Earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in sport psychology is not a requirement in the field, but many people choose to pursue the degree for a variety of reason. If someone is interested in providing psychological and mental health services to athletes full-time, then they likely pursue a PhD,Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), or Doctor of Education (EdD) in counseling or clinical psychology. Alternatively, if an individual is interested in conducting research and teaching, then a PhD in sport psychology would be the proper path to travel. Occasionally the educational process does not stop there and some complete a postdoc or residency. This may be a requirement of a clinical or counseling program or a choice made by the individual because they believe it will advance their knowledge, skills, and abilities. This brief breakdown of academic stepping stones is by no means a comprehensive one, and those interested in future sport psychology studies should connect with professionals in the field and conduct thorough research of programs prior to making decisions.

19.4.2. Jobs and Careers in Sport Psychology

In this chapter, we discuss four general categories of jobs and careers for those with a background in sport psychology: (a) applied sport psychology practitioner, (b) clinical sport psychology practitioner, (c) physical activity and health practitioner (non-sport psychology professional), and (d) academic sport psychology professional. Aside from providing details about the responsibilities of these respective positions, we will also discuss specific examples of current employers when appropriate. Finally, the more difficult realities of pursuing these various careers will be mentioned as will insight into how to successfully find, apply for, and earn desired positions (also see Chapter 33; Moyle, 2021).

Previous research has documented that upcoming professionals in the field of sport psychology tend to be initially interested in a career goal that focuses specifically on working directly with athletes providing applied services (Andersen et al., 1997; Fitzpatrick et al., 2016). Applied positions like these are referred to by a number of names (e.g., sport psychology consultant, mental coach, mental conditioning coach, mental performance coach, mental skills trainer), but the title applied sport psychology practitioner will be used to encompass the variety of existing titles. The Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), defines applied practitioners as those who are trained in sport and exercise and provide individual or group counseling focused on performance-related issues. Ultimately, the goal of applied sport psychology practitioners is to help athletes optimize their sport experiences by consistently performing in the upper range of their capabilities and more thoroughly enjoying the overall sport performance process (Portenga et al., 2017). This is achieved by extending theory into the field and applying sport psychology principles to educate sport personnel (e.g., athletes, coaches, parents, fitness professionals; AASP, n.d.). Applied sport psychology practitioners use systematic psychological skills training to help improve performance. A focus on the use of these skills to address performance enhancement and not mental health distinguishes these positions from clinical sport psychology practitioners.

Many emphasize the term performance over sport when discussing the role of applied sport psychology practitioners because the core principles of sport psychology are applicable within other performance contexts (Portenga et al., 2017). Those with the appropriate academic education, supervised training, and additional experience working with a variety of performers are capable of working in a number of performance domains (e.g., athletics, performing arts, medicine, military).Believing applied job opportunities only pertains to working within athletics limits where and with whom practitioners can work. This is an important consideration to bear in mind as one seeks out potential job opportunities as listings may not reflect one’s training directly. For example, one of largest employers of applied sport psychology practitioners is the United States Military and rarely do graduate students gain applied experience with military personnel as a part of their sport psychology programs. However, applied practitioners working with military personnel utilize many of the same theories and frameworks from sport psychology to apply to high pressure situations that military professionals might face.

While there are more opportunities for applied work than ever before (e.g., Olympic organizations, Major League Baseball, youth sport academies) there are limited chances to obtain highly coveted full-time positions. Therefore, young applied sport psychology practitioners should not expect to obtain a full-time position working with elite athletes and teams merely because they have earned a sport psychology degree. This is a difficult truth for many young practitioners to accept, but one that is necessary to mention (Martin, 2020). Whether it is due to the lack of formal professional positions or personal aspirations, many applied sport psychology professionals take an alternative route into private practice. This requires quality entrepreneurial skills, high drive, and a deep client base in order to build a successful business working with diverse clients at the organizational, team, or individual level.

Typically, individuals who identify as an applied sport psychology practitioner have completed a sport psychology master’s program, occasionally a doctoral program, and their AASP Certified Mental Performance Consultant ®(CMPC) certification. There are, however, legal limits to one’s practice with this education and training. These professionals must be mindful not to assist athletes or performers with mental health-related issues as it exceeds their professional competencies. In fact, when said issues are beyond the scope of the applied sport psychology practitioner’s ability referrals are necessary. Such referrals can be made to those who we will refer to as clinical sport psychology practitioners. Applied and clinical practitioners may provide similar services by delivering in-depth mental skills training to clients, but clinical practitioners are qualified to address mental health issues within and outside of the client’s respective performance domain. With this added professional responsibility comes added educational and licensure requirements. Clinical sport psychology practitioners must develop competence in both sport psychology and counseling or clinical psychology. Therefore, earning master’s and doctoral degrees in these areas is necessary. Legally, clinical sport psychology practitioners must also become licensed nationally and within the state they work. The extensive education and training are often deterrents to those interested in pursuing a career in sport psychology, however pursuing clinical or counseling route may offer more diverse employment opportunities within and external to performance contexts.

As previously mentioned, clinical sport psychology practitioners are able to deliver the same sport psychology services to clients as applied practitioners without clinical training. Therefore, similar employment opportunities apply to both types of practitioners. It is common to find clinical practitioners working with athletes in their own private practice, hospital settings, and academic institutions. More advanced education and training in mental health tend to make clinical practitioners more attractive to some employers. Athlete mental health has received greater attention in recent years and continues to be a large concern for many programs and organizations (Chang et al., 2020). As a result, an increasing number of colleges and universities with strong athletic identities have begun to employ licensed clinical sport psychologists. These positions are often housed in college or university athletic departments or counseling centers, but some may be hired as a consultant and work out of their private practice (Connole et al., 2014). Clinical sport psychology practitioners provide services targeting performance enhancement in sport and academics, personal development, and holistic student-athlete wellbeing, including mental health difficulties (Weinberg & Williams, 2010). Positions such as these are a promising advancement in the field, especially for those who express a desire to work in collegiate athletics.

A third type of practitioner is one who would likely not identify “sport psychology professional” as their primary career goal. It is common in the field of sport psychology for individuals with other physical activity- and health-related career intentions to pursue supplementary education in sport psychology. These professionals often include sport coaches, athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning coaches to name a few. The core principles of sport psychology certainly have value in outside disciplines such as these, and it is not uncommon for these professionals to continue their education in graduate sport psychology programs. Typically, the goal of these individuals is to enhance their professional value by building upon the services they provide to their athletes as well as finding answers to questions about the “mental game” they have observed through their various sport-related experiences. For example, a strength and conditioning coach may believe there is something more to learn about the unique relationships between coaches and athletes that will enable her to be more effective when working with a number of athletes with different skill levels.

There are varying perspectives on whether or not it is the ethically responsible for other physical activity and health professionals to provide applied sport psychology services. Again, it depends on the history of one’s education and applied training. For example, if a youth soccer coach chooses to pursue a sport psychology master’s degree after years of coaching, then there is very little preventing this coach from doing applied work with athletes. Alternatively, if a coach simply has an interest in sport psychology and does not have a corresponding degree or certification, then they are not properly equipped to replace applied sport psychology practitioners. In short, with adequate education and supervised training these individuals are able to combine core sport psychology concepts with their primary profession.

While there are a number of individuals with diverse applied careers in the field of sport psychology, they only represent a portion of the professional network. Others have career goals of teaching or conducting sport psychology-related research. For these individuals, academic positions as sport psychology faculty members at colleges and universities have been a consistent professional placement (Fitzpatrick et al., 2016; Williams & Scherzer, 2003). Academic sport psychology professionals have typically earned a Ph.D. and have some teaching and research experience from their doctoral studies prior to pursuing an academic career. This professional career path varies by institution type and departmental needs but often involves teaching, research, and service responsibilities. Teaching expectations can include teaching undergraduate and graduate sport psychology and other sport science courses. Research often involves working independently, with a student research team, or with others in the field to conduct sport psychology experiments and studies. Regularly publishing this work in peer reviewed journals is also a common expectation. Service often refers to work within and external to one’s institution as well as within their respective research community assisting with projects, committee work, and the review of research. Additionally, advising and mentoring students is commonplace, and often academic sport psychology professionals are training future applied practitioners. Some positions might also include some applied delivery of sport psychology content as well, but these positions have historically been less common. Many academic professionals find great satisfaction in these positions because they are regularly working with students, designing new courses, conducting research projects, and identify as a lifelong learner.

Professional careers in sport psychology are diverse and rewarding, but require specific education and training and can be highly competitive. The academic requirements and training can be extensive but will prepare individuals for a successful future career. There are a few additional suggestions you can consider as you prepare to pursue a career in the field. First, many young professionals may assume they are or are not qualified for a position by simply investigating the title of a job posting. For example, it may mention terms like “mental training”, “counseling”, “sport psychologist” and these may be somewhat ambiguous at surface level. You should be sure to read the entire posting and use the descriptions of positions above to determine their personal qualification. Second, you should consider becoming members of sport psychology organizations (e.g., AASP, NASPSPA, APA Division 47, BASES, BPS-DSEP). These organizations regularly share employment opportunities and valuable professional development resources. Third, you are also encouraged to begin to develop your professional network by attending academic conferences where a number of diverse individuals with research and applied backgrounds will be present. Building connections with professionals in the field and seeking out personalized mentorship will have value prior to and throughout one’s career. Finally, you should aim to gain diverse research and applied experiences working with a variety of individuals. Experience such as this will reflect a greater degree of competence than what is gained through coursework alone. By engaging in experiences related to professional choices, you will likely gain a better view of who you want to be as a professional and this will guide your future educational and training choices.

Table 19.3. Typical Academic and Licensure Pathways for Careers in Sport Psychology

Career Type	BS/BScPsychology/ Kinesiology/ Sport Science	MS/MScSport & Exercise Psychology	PhD Sport & Exercise Psychology		PhD/PsyD/EdD Counseling or Clinical Psychology	Postdoctoral research or Residency	CMPC ®
Applied sport psychology practitioner	✓	✓	+	or	+		+
Clinical sport psychology practitione	✓	✓			✓	+	+
Physical activity or health practitioner		✓					+
Academic sport psychology professional	✓	✓	✓	or	✓	+	+

Note. ✓ = typically required for career; + = not necessary but provides an advantage for future employment opportunities