Teacher Licensure: No teacher licensure is available.
Sport and Exercise Psychology can provide you with the basis for understanding the thought processes and attitudes of athletes and individuals involved in sport or exercise activities. With this understanding, you can then learn to help others improve their performance and/or psychological well-being. While this specialization will appeal to those individuals currently teaching and/or coaching, it is also designed to provide a solid foundation for those desiring to further their graduate education in fields associated with behavioral medicine including exercise psychology, sport psychology, athletic training, and health psychology. Focusing on strategies for enhancing sport performance or adherence to exercise, for example, the Sport and Exercise Behavior specialization provides students with knowledge and skills that can be readily applied to numerous aspects of their own lives as well to the lives of their professional “clients.”
Our graduates pursue careers as teachers, researchers, coaches, exercise leaders and sport and exercise psychology consultants. An increasing number of graduates are choosing to continue their education at the doctoral level.
Our program integrates theory, research, and practice, and includes the study of cognitive, emotional, psychological and social factors that influence sport and exercise behaviors as well as the effects of physical activity on psychological factors. In addition to coursework in Sport and Exercise Psychology and Sociology of Physical Activity, students may enroll in elective courses throughout the university to optimize their educational experience. Further, our program has close ties with SIUE´s Division I athletic program, as well as with varied community programs.
SIUE's graduate program in sport and exercise behavior (psychology) can offer you a number of distinct advantages, including:
Non-Thesis Option
The non-thesis option for the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree in Sport and Exercise Behavior (Psychology) is for students who are not interested in pursing a doctorate.
Thesis Option
The thesis option for the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree in Sport and Exercise Behavior (Psychology) is for students who are interested in pursing a doctorate in sport and exercise psychology, counseling, or other psychology related areas at high ranked research oriented universities. Students will learn the research process and investigate the impact of psychological factors on sport and/or exercise. Students will gain opportunities to present at professional conferences and publish in scientific journals. Students in the thesis option will typically take two academic years to complete the course work and research thesis. The student and faculty advisor will match thesis and coursework with the goals of the student to provide an exceptional learning experience.
SIUE now offers a unique dual-entry option for applicants wishing to combine Sport and Exercise Behavior and Exercise Physiology. The dual program can prepare you for superior opportunities for professional development. Graduates work in a variety of settings in the health and fitness industry. To be admitted to this program you must complete one semester of Anatomy and Physiology from any college or university. Click here for the course summary requirements for the dual program.
If you have already decided that SIUE’s Sport and Exercise Behavior (Psychology) Program is the right one for you, APPLY ONLINE NOW. You can also request additional information by contacting our program director Dr. Jennifer Gapin
Current Research Projects in the Program
