By: Paige Cerulli
Updated: January 15, 2026
Online sport psychology degree programs: What you can study online
About online degrees for sport psychologists
Degree Type:
Doctorate
Location:
Online
Duration:
4–8 years
Total Credits:
Between 160 and 180
Aid Eligible:
Yes, for accredited schools and programs
Sport psychology is a specialized field. Sport psychologists are clinical psychologists who specialize in the field of sports. Sport psychologists must understand how to work with athletes and those involved with sports. They also need a deep understanding of mental health. Additionally, sport psychologists work with performance issues, including helping individuals to perform their best.
For example, Meghan Krasnow, Sport Psychology Doctoral Trainee, tells Swimming World Magazine that sport psychologists support athletes in multiple ways. “Sport psychology is a resource that can be valuable for everyone,” she says. “Athletes who may be struggling with performance and/or well-being, athletes who are performing well and want to achieve an even higher level, or any area in between are all acceptable reasons to work with a sport psychologist.” Krasnow explains that sport psychologists may help athletes learn and implement mental skill techniques including goal setting, imagery, confidence, concentration and relaxation to improve their performance.”
“…sport psychologists may help athletes learn and implement mental skill techniques including goal setting, imagery, confidence, concentration and relaxation to improve their performance.”
Krasnow notes that sport psychologists can help athletes optimize their performance outside of sports, too. “Sport psychologists are professionals that have an educational background in sport and performance psychology and are a doctoral level licensed clinical or counseling psychologist,” she says. “Sport psychologists, therefore, are ethically able to address mental health concerns, such as anxiety.”
To prepare for such a specialized career, sport psychologists will study topics including general psychology, the psychology of coaching, leadership and team building concepts, sport psychology principles, issues in sport psychology and more.
What online degrees are available?
To become a sport psychologist, you will ultimately need to complete an online doctoral degree program. However, you can start studying psychology as an undergraduate.
Online bachelor’s degree programs
While you don’t necessarily need to complete a bachelor’s degree in the psychology field, doing so will introduce you to psychology concepts early on. A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology allows you to take more electives than a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, so it can be a good option if you’re still exploring potential career paths and want to take coursework beyond the psychology field.
On the other hand, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology is more focused on lab work and research methods than a Bachelor of Arts, so it’s often a better fit if you’re passionate about the sciences and want to pursue a research- or-academia-based career. These programs are available in-person and online.
Examples of major courses
As an undergraduate, you can expect to take general core courses, as well as courses focused on psychology topics, such as:
- General psychology courses explore the fundamentals of psychology, including the basics of how the human mind, learning and memory work, what motivates people and how people process information.
- History of psychology courses explore the foundations of the study of psychology, including different theories and schools of thought.
- Foundations of cognitive psychology courses explore concepts including language, human thought, short and long term memory and neuropsychology.
- Introduction to clinical psychology examines the treatment of psychological disorders, including concepts like biology and psychology abnormalities.
Online master’s degree programs
Master’s degrees in psychology build on the foundations that you’ve learned in your undergraduate studies. These programs are available in-person and online, and you may also find that programs are available with concentrations in fields like clinical psychology, forensic psychology and sport psychology.
Examples of core and major courses
No matter which concentration you pursue, your master’s degree program will usually include coursework on the following topics:
- Advanced research methods
Online doctoral programs
The internship is a notable part of your doctoral program and your path to becoming a sport psychologist. The internship of a doctoral program is similar to a residency, and psychologists undergo a match process similar to that of a medical resident. Sport psychologists must complete the internship to become licensed.
What certification will I need to practice sport psychology?
Sport psychologists must be licensed in their state of practice. A specific sport psychologist licensure doesn’t really exist. However, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) is a certified professional who helps athletes, coaches and individuals use their mental and emotional skills for top performance, such as by addressing stress, confidence and motivation.
Becoming a licensed sport psychologist
To become a licensed sport psychologist, you must first complete all of your doctoral coursework and your psychology internship. Then, all North American psychologists must sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). This computerized exam consists of 225 multiple-choice questions covering foundational knowledges that psychologists will need to apply in their careers. It covers topics like biological bases of behavior, social and multicultural bases of behavior, research methods and statistics and assessment and diagnosis. Applicants have four hours and 15 minutes to complete the exam, and must answer about 70% of the questions correctly to pass.
Once you have earned a passing score on the EPPP exam, you can pursue licensure at the state level. State licensure requirements vary, so it’s important to carefully review your state’s requirements in advance. Some states require candidates to take an additional online, written, or oral exam.
How long will it take?
The path to becoming a sport psychologist takes many years. Plan to spend about four years earning your bachelor’s degree, another two to three on your master’s degree, and five to seven years on your doctorate. The exact duration will depend on the program, the required number of credits, and whether you study on a part-time or full-time basis.
Exploring online sport psychology programs
You can earn a sport psychology degree online. Many schools offer online bachelor’s and master’s sport psychology degrees.
There are several advantages to pursuing an online degree program in sport psychology. Online programs often offer a flexible schedule that allows you to balance your education with your other commitments, such as a full-time job or family. Some programs are self-paced, so you can complete your coursework as your schedule allows. Many online degree programs don’t have an on-campus requirement, so you could earn a degree from a school that you couldn’t otherwise attend due to distance or relocation challenges and expenses.
While there are many benefits to online degree programs, it’s important to recognize the challenges, too. Self-paced online degree programs will require you to be self-motivated, and you’ll need to set your own schedule to ensure that you make consistent progress in your coursework. While many programs incorporate group discussions and projects, online courses can feel somewhat isolating. You will also need to be comfortable doing some basic technology troubleshooting, and will likely communicate with your teachers via email and video chat.
How much will my education cost?
The cost of a sport psychology education can vary significantly. A bachelor’s degree can cost around $10,000 if you attend a state school as an in-state student, or $50,000 or more if you attend a private or state school as an out-of-state student. Doctoral degrees can cost $30,000 to $50,000 or more per year.
While your psychology education can be expensive, you can keep costs down by applying for financial aid, applying for scholarships, and evaluating the costs of the programs that you’re considering. Pursuing an online degree may help to save you money, since you won’t have travel and housing expenses that you might have if you chose an in-person degree program.
Are there prerequisites for online programs?
Sport psychology degree prerequisites vary depending on the degree level. Bachelor degree programs generally require applicants to have earned a high school diploma or GED, and may have minimum GPA requirements. Some schools require you to include your standardized test scores, letters of recommendation and a personal essay with your application.
Prerequisites for a master’s degree program are often more rigorous. Many schools require you to have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA. Schools may want to see that you’ve completed relevant coursework, such as courses in psychology, though may not require you to have completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology. You may also be required to submit a resume, personal statement and letters of recommendation.
What accreditation is there for my program?
The American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation accredits hundreds of master’s, doctoral, internship and postdoctoral residency programs. Accreditation is a testament to the quality of the education that you receive from a program. Completing an accredited degree program can be important if you plan on pursuing additional schooling, since advanced degree programs may require you to have completed an accredited degree program. Potential employers may also want to see that you’ve earned a degree from an accredited program.
Wrapping up
Pursuing an online sport psychology program can help you to achieve your career goals while giving you the flexibility needed to balance work and family commitments with your education. With your degree, you may enjoy a rewarding career and work in a variety of sport-related settings. To get started, click the Find School button to begin researching online programs in sport psychology.