Online Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Applied Psychological Science – Sport and Performance Counseling
Are you curious about the psychological challenges elite athletes face after suffering from a major injury or retiring from their sport? Do you want to understand why people are captivated by sports and how they bring people together? Pursue a Bachelor of Science in counseling and applied psychological science with a concentration in sport and performance counseling to explore these questions and more.
Quick facts
Next start date: 05/19/2025
Total classes: 40
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 120
What you’ll learn in a sport and performance counseling degree concentration
This program provides context for understanding human behavior and achieving peak performance in domains, such as sports, exercise and competition. You’ll develop practical skills for enhancing performance and well-being in yourself and others, whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent or simply interested in the intersection between psychology and sports.
In your courses, you’ll learn about a variety of topics in psychology from the lens of sport and counseling performance, including:
- Anxiety and stress management.
- Counseling theories and techniques.
- Foundations in sport psychology.
- Human development across the lifespan.
- Motivation and confidence in athletes.
- Multicultural research, theory and practice.
- Performance enhancement.
- Psychological factors of injury and rehabilitation.
- Team dynamics.
What fields can I go into after graduating from this program?
The knowledge you’ll gain in this sport and performance counseling degree concentration applies to fields in sports and beyond. The military, health and wellness, K-12 coaching, performance arts and emergency services are examples of industries that require mental preparation and resilience for success.
Additionally, the psychological dynamics at play in sports are also relevant to wellness within organizations and the workplace. From increasing motivation to perform at optimal levels to reducing stress in high-pressure situations, you can apply sport counseling techniques to roles in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
Will my diploma say ‘online’?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
Sport and performance psychology and counseling courses
Courses in this concentration cover topics ranging from how participation in sports and physical activity affects psychological development and mental well-being to using psychological science to improve performance. You’ll also explore the mental and emotional aspects of sports performance, including motivation, confidence, anxiety and focus.
To culminate the program, you’ll complete a required internship in a sport or mental health setting. This gives you practical opportunities to apply what you learn in class and prepares you to take the next step in your career.
Courses may include:
Sports and more: The performance counseling jobs you’ll be prepared for
A sport and performance counseling degree concentration can enhance your career opportunities in the sports industry, such as K-12 coaching, personal training and wellness coaching. You can also apply your interpersonal, leadership, research and communication skills across roles in nearly every industry. Potential career paths include, but aren’t limited to:
Behavioral Health Specialist
Community Health Worker
Counselor (General)
Mental Health Counselor
Rehabilitation Counselor
Learn from top faculty and researchers in sport and performance counseling
Faculty in the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts are committed to research and exploration in their fields of work. Many of our faculty and staff are recognized nationally and internationally for their achievements from psychology to writing.
- American Educational Research.
- Association Fellows.
- American Psychological Association Fellows.
- Fulbright scholars.
Learn from top faculty and researchers in sport and performance counseling
Faculty in the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts are committed to research and exploration in their fields of work. Many of our faculty and staff are recognized nationally and internationally for their achievements from psychology to writing.
- American Educational Research.
- Association Fellows.
- American Psychological Association Fellows.
- Fulbright scholars.
How to apply
first-year student
You’re considered a first-year student for application purposes if you’ve never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Study at a globally recognized university
ASU is a global university recognized for its commitment to innovation, research and high-quality academic programs. Our university is repeatedly awarded peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report and other respected organizations.
#1
in innovation for 10 consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT.
Top 10
best online bachelor’s programs.
Top 10%
best global universities.
80%
of graduates reported their experiences at ASU inspired them to explore new career opportunities.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
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