Best Online Performance Psychology Schools: Ranked
Updated November 10, 202625+ min read

Best Online Sport & Performance Psychology Schools Ranked for 2027

Compare fully online degrees by cost, accreditation, outcomes and career fit

What you’ll learn in this article…

  • National University's online sport psychology master's lists $16,416 tuition for 36 credits.
  • Only a doctorate plus state licensure earns you the psychologist title.
  • Plan for supervised hours: AASP's CMPC credential requires them beyond coursework.

A sport and performance psychology degree trains you to work as a mental performance consultant, teaching athletes, surgeons, musicians and military personnel to manage focus, motivation and pressure. It does not make you a licensed psychologist. That single distinction decides which of the best performance psychology programs actually fits your plan, because licensure runs through clinical or counseling doctorates and state boards, not through these degrees.

Every program in this ranking is delivered fully online; there are no hybrid cohorts or residency weekends. The practical tension shows up in credentials rather than coursework. Most graduates build their careers on the Certified Mental Performance Consultant credential from AASP, which carries its own coursework and supervised-hours requirements that programs meet unevenly.

Top 100% Online Performance Psychology Programs, Ranked

Every program in this list can be completed without a campus visit, and the credentials run from bachelor's completion degrees to a doctor of education in sport and performance psychology. Programs are ordered by a blended quality composite rather than by sticker price alone, so a low-cost option with weak completion and debt signals does not automatically rise to the top. Each card gives the degree level, the concentration, graduate tuition on master's and doctoral rows, and the share of students the school graduates.

How we ranked these
Factors considered
  • Pell enrollment share of students
  • Tuition adjusted for local cost of living
  • Program format fit for working adults
  • Institutional graduation and retention rates
  • Graduate debt relative to earnings
Data sources
  • Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
  • Program-level records maintained in house
  • Original research on individual programs
  • National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
  • Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living index by state — bea.gov
AR

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ · ~$15,000/yr (est.)

Hispanic-Serving Institution
Best for: Adult learners starting with a bachelor's degree

Arizona State University puts sport and performance counseling inside a Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Applied Psychological Science, so students build general counseling foundations before specializing in athlete mental health. The concentration covers injury recovery, retirement from sport, motivation, confidence and anxiety, and it requires an internship in a sport or mental health setting. Short 7.5-week classes and an Earned Admission pathway give applicants without a competitive high school record a route in.

  • Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Applied Psychological Science, Sport and Performance Counseling — Online
    Arizona State University
    • 120 credit hours across 40 courses
    • 7.5-week course format
    • Required internship in a sport or mental health setting
    • Admission by 3.00 GPA, top 25% class rank or ACT/SAT scores
    • Earned Admission pathway open at a 2.75 GPA
    • Covers motivation, confidence, anxiety, injury recovery and retirement
    Visit Website
CA

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.)

Hispanic-Serving Institution
Best for: Learners wanting supervised practicum built in

California Baptist University pairs a master's in sport and performance psychology with an accelerated bachelor's completion track, so one department can take a student from a first course through CMPC-eligible practicum hours. The master's is taught on a biblical framework and places students with CBU athletic teams and with nearby college and high school programs for the 400 clinical hours. Neither program requires work experience to enter.

  • Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology — Online
    California Baptist University
    • 43 credit hours completed over four semesters
    • $780 per credit plus fees
    • Four practicum courses totaling 400 clinical hours
    • Clinical hours count toward CMPC eligibility
    • Asynchronous classes with a fall start
    • Priority deadline of May 15, standard deadline August 1
    • No work experience required for admission
    • Clients include athletes, surgery patients and performing artists
    Visit Website
  • Bachelor of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology — Online
    California Baptist University
    • 49 units, about 16 months to completion
    • $520 per unit plus fees
    • Six entry points per year, classes every 8 weeks
    • Transfer-friendly for students with prior college credit
    • Coursework in ethics, exercise physiology and cognitive psychology
    • Covers diversity and culture in sport
    Visit Website
UN

University of Western States

Portland, OR · ~$16,000/yr (est.)

Best for: Working professionals needing asynchronous coursework

University of Western States runs both a master's and an Ed.D. in sport and performance psychology, and its applied practice and consulting concentrations carry AASP graduate program accreditation through 2031. Faculty serve as CMPC-approved mentors, and the university has provided sport and performance psychology services to the USA Deaf Sports Federation for the 2025 Deaflympics. A separate applied sport psychology graduate certificate lets up to 24 credits roll into either degree.

  • Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology — Online
    University of Western States
    No entrance exam
    • 58 quarter credits over two years
    • $684 per credit and a $50 application fee
    • No entrance exam required, 2.8 GPA minimum
    • Applied Practice track holds AASP program accreditation through 2031
    • Applied Practice includes 100 supervised client contact hours
    • Positive Coaching concentration for leadership settings
    • Core aligned with CMPC exam knowledge areas
    • Faculty are AASP-approved CMPC mentors
    Visit Website
  • Doctor of Education in Sport and Performance Psychology — Online
    University of Western States
    No entrance exam
    • 86 credit hours over about three years
    • $818 per credit and a $50 application fee
    • No entrance exam, 3.0 GPA minimum
    • Covers all eight CMPC knowledge competency areas
    • No required on-campus residencies
    • Standardized Patient Program uses trained actors
    • 13 core courses plus five electives and a dissertation
    • SPPC concentration holds AASP program accreditation through 2031
    Visit Website
KE

Kent State University

Kent, OH · ~$21,000/yr (est.)

Kent State University's bachelor's in sport, exercise and performance psychology treats performance as a psychological skill, with coursework on motivation, mental training and stress management. Students also study sport injury psychology and exercise psychology, then apply the material in a practicum. It is a practical first degree for future coaches and for students who plan to continue to a master's or doctorate.

  • Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology — Online
    Kent State University
    • 120 credit hours, designed to finish in four years
    • Covers motivation, mental training and stress management
    • Includes sport injury psychology and exercise psychology
    • Practicum experience built into the degree
    • Prepares graduates for coaching or graduate study
    • Transfer applicants need a minimum 2.000 GPA
    Visit Website
UN

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · ~$13,000/yr (est.)

The University of Florida embeds its sport psychology specialization inside a Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, so students take performance psychology courses alongside motor learning and neurophysiology. The four-course, 12-credit specialization covers performance enhancement, expertise development and skill acquisition. Faculty research connects to aerospace, military operations and medicine, which stretches how students think about human performance beyond sport.

  • Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, Sport Psychology and Elite Human Performance — Online
    University of Florida
    Fully online option
    • 12 credit hours across four courses
    • Part of the M.S. in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
    • Covers performance enhancement and motor performance
    • Includes neurophysiology, group dynamics and skill acquisition
    • Prepares students for coaching and mental performance consulting
    • Faculty research ties to aerospace, military and medicine
    Visit Website
AD

Adams State University

Alamosa, CO · ~$6,000/yr (est.)

Hispanic-Serving Institution

Adams State University houses applied sport psychology inside a Master of Science in Kinesiology, giving students a movement science base alongside mental skills training. The 36-credit sequence covers research and statistics, ethics, case studies, and mental strength and conditioning, and it ends with a practicum and a capstone. It suits students who want an applied, coaching-adjacent degree rather than a clinical one.

  • Master of Science in Kinesiology, Applied Sport Psychology — Online
    Adams State University
    • 36 credit hours, about two years
    • Core courses in research methods and statistics
    • Mental strength and conditioning coursework
    • Ethics in applied sport psychology
    • Case studies in sport psychology
    • Practicum and capstone project required
    • Includes diversity and equity in sport
    Visit Website
EA

East Central University

Ada, OK · $6,000 – $12,000/yr (est.)

East Central University's master's in sport psychology is built around the CMPC pathway, combining psychological foundations, sport psychology coursework and a supervised internship. The program admits students from athletic, coaching and counseling backgrounds and can be finished in one to two years, part time or full time. Courses of 8 or 16 weeks keep the load manageable for working adults.

  • Master of Science in Sport Psychology — Online
    East Central University
    • 45 credit hours, 1 to 2 years depending on pace
    • $400.80 per credit for Oklahoma residents
    • $762.80 per credit for non-residents
    • Admission requires a 3.0 GPA, resume and three references
    • Personal statement required with the application
    • Supervised internship built into the degree
    • Up to 9 transfer credits accepted
    • Courses run 8 or 16 weeks
    Visit Website
UN

University of West Alabama

Livingston, AL · $7,000 – $14,000/yr (est.)

At the University of West Alabama, sport psychology is a concentration inside a Master of Science in Experimental Psychology, which puts research methods and statistics at the center of the degree. Students take Advanced Sports Psychology and Health Psychology, add a practicum, and finish with either a thesis or a comprehensive exam. It is a reasonable stepping stone for readers aiming at a doctorate.

  • Master of Science in Experimental Psychology, Health and Sports Psychology — Online
    University of West Alabama
    • 39 to 54 credit hours depending on electives and thesis
    • $429 per credit plus a $75 technology fee each semester
    • Nine undergraduate psychology hours required for admission
    • GRE not required
    • Advanced Sports Psychology and Health Psychology coursework
    • Practicum plus thesis or comprehensive exam
    • Up to 9 transfer credits accepted
    • Three academic references and a writing sample required
    Visit Website
UN

University of the Southwest

Hobbs, NM · ~$12,000/yr (est.)

Hispanic-Serving Institution

The University of the Southwest offers a Master of Science in Sports Psychology focused on team dynamics, performance enhancement and the emotional side of competition. Coursework also covers injury recovery and the mental obstacles athletes face, with an emphasis on practical methods coaches and mentors can put to use. Graduates move into coaching, athletics and teaching roles rather than clinical practice.

  • Master of Science in Sports Psychology — Online
    University of the Southwest
    • Focus on team dynamics and performance enhancement
    • Covers injury recovery principles for athletes
    • Addresses emotional obstacles in competition
    • Prepares graduates for coaching and mentoring roles
    • Career paths extend to athletics and teaching settings
    Visit Website
NA

National University

San Diego, CA · ~$16,000/yr (est.)

Hispanic-Serving Institution

National University offers the widest performance psychology ladder in this list: a bachelor's, a master's in sport psychology, two master's tracks in sport and performance psychology, and a PhD specialization. The master's programs are built to meet CMPC academic requirements, and the applied track adds more than 200 direct client contact hours. Year-round starts and a free application make it easy to begin quickly.

  • Master of Science in Sport Psychology — Online
    National University
    • 36 credit hours across 12 courses
    • 18 to 21 months to complete
    • No application fee and no entrance exams
    • Up to 12 transfer credits accepted
    • Optional fieldwork for applied experience
    • Aligned with AASP certification standards
    • FastForward pathway into the PhD program
    Visit Website
  • Bachelor of Arts in Sport Psychology — Online
    National University
    • 180 quarter units, about 40 months
    • 45 units must be completed in residence
    • 76.5 upper-division units required
    • Courses in applied sport psychology and exercise psychology
    • Motor learning, biomechanics and exercise physiology included
    • Senior project in sport psychology
    Visit Website
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Sport and Performance Psychology — Online
    National University
    • 60 credit hours across 20 courses
    • About 48 months to complete
    • Dissertation with prospectus, IRB approval and oral defense
    • Weekly course starts with no scheduled lecture hours
    • Taught and mentored by doctoral faculty
    • Covers ethics, diversity and injury psychology
    Visit Website
  • Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology, Applied Mental Performance — Online
    National University
    • 67.5 quarter units, 14 to 22 months
    • More than 200 direct client contact hours
    • Meets CMPC certification requirements
    • Mentored training experiences and an applied project
    • Core courses include ethics and multicultural humility
    • GRE not required
    Visit Website
  • Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology, Theoretical Mental Performance — Online
    National University
    • 58.5 quarter units, finish in as little as 14 months
    • Comprehensive written exam after nine courses
    • Capstone project required
    • Includes psychopathology assessment and motor behavior
    • Core covers counseling skills and research methods
    • Scholarships and financial aid available
    Visit Website

Inside the Scoring: What Put These Online Programs on Top

Every program on this list had to meet one condition first: you can finish it without moving or commuting. That single requirement shaped the list more than any other factor, because a performance psychology degree only helps you if it fits around training schedules, coaching jobs and family commitments.

Layer One: Fully Online or Out

Programs that require recurring campus residencies or in-person intensives were excluded, even when most coursework happens online. Hybrid formats can be excellent, but they demand travel budgets and time away from work that many applicants cannot spare. Supervised applied hours, such as those you may log toward CMPC certification, can still take place in your own community.

Layer Two: A Quality Composite Built on Federal Data

Programs that passed the online filter were scored on public signals from the College Scorecard and IPEDS:

  • Graduate tuition: What the school charges graduate students, a direct measure of affordability.
  • Completion: The institution's overall graduation rate, a proxy for how well the school supports students to the finish line.
  • Median debt: What graduates of the specific program typically borrow.
  • Early earnings: Program-level earnings, used where the federal data publishes them.

No single factor decides a rank. Cost and debt sit alongside completion and outcomes, so low tuition alone does not lift a program that struggles on the other measures.

Limits Worth Knowing

Graduation rates reflect the whole institution, not the performance psychology program itself. Scorecard earnings capture only the first few years after completion, before many graduates reach full earning potential. Some smaller programs report too few graduates for debt or earnings figures to be published, so those schools were judged on the signals that do exist.

Why the List Is Independent

No school paid for placement or reviewed its position before publication. Every factor comes from federal datasets that anyone can look up and verify, which means you can check our work school by school.

Certificate, Master's or Doctorate: Matching the Credential to the Career

Most performance psychology master's degrees are nonclinical consulting degrees. They prepare you to coach, consult and teach mental skills, but they do not qualify you to practice as a licensed psychologist. Only doctoral programs in clinical or counseling psychology, ideally APA-accredited, lead toward psychologist licensure. Bachelor's tracks in sport or performance psychology are a foundation rather than a practice credential, and they are mostly useful as preparation for graduate study.

Comparison pointGraduate certificateMaster's (MA/MS)Doctorate (PhD/PsyD/EdD)
Typical lengthAbout 6 to 18 months, often 12 to 18 creditsAbout 2 years full time, commonly 30 to 48 creditsRoughly 4 to 7 years, including research or clinical training
Best suited forCoaches, athletic trainers and educators adding mental skills knowledge, or career changers testing the fieldAspiring mental performance consultants who want applied training and a direct route toward certificationThose aiming at licensure, university faculty posts, research careers or senior leadership in performance programs
CMPC relevanceCoursework may support certification requirements, but a certificate alone is generally not enough because certification expects a graduate degreeStrongest fit: the degree, supervised practice hours and the exam form the usual routeMeets the degree requirement, and a sport-focused doctorate can add research depth
Licensure potentialNoneNone in most performance psychology programs, since they are nonclinicalPossible only through APA-accredited clinical or counseling psychology doctorates; EdD and applied PhD options usually emphasize research or leadership, not clinical training
Typical rolesSkills coach, team support staff, wellness or training roles that supplement an existing careerMental performance consultant, coach educator, athletic department or corporate performance staffLicensed psychologist (clinical route only), professor, researcher, director of sport psychology services
Cost exposureLowest total outlay and the least time out of the workforceModerate: tuition for a full degree, with fewer funded options than doctoral studyHighest sticker price and years of lost earnings, though PhD programs sometimes offer funding
National completion trend (2021-22)About 1.0 million certificates awarded, 5% above 2011-12880,200 master's degrees, up 16% from 2011-12203,900 doctor's degrees, up 20% from 2011-12
Access at open-admissions institutions (2021-22)93% of certificates conferred11% of master's degrees conferred4% of doctor's degrees conferred

Performance Psychology Degree Cost, Debt and Early Earnings

National University's online Master of Science in Sport Psychology lists tuition of $16,416 for its 36 credit hours, which makes it the one graduate-level program here with a clear price tag and the clearest view of what borrowing looks like.

Tuition across the programs

The other programs split between 12 bachelor's degrees, 14 master's programs and 2 doctorates, so the bachelor's options are better read as a foundation for later graduate study. Among them, the six Kent State University regional campuses (Ashtabula, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas) carry the lowest published tuition at $8,211 for in-state students, rising to $17,969 for out-of-state students. Kent State's main campus lists $12,920 in-state and $21,575 out-of-state. Arizona State University runs from $12,223 for residents to $33,139 for nonresidents, and Parker University posts a single figure of $26,904. For students aiming at the most affordable performance psychology programs, the Kent regional campuses are the best value at the bachelor's level, and National University sets the benchmark at the master's level.

What borrowing looks like

For the master's credential in this field at National University, the median federal debt is $28,854. Spread over a standard 10-year repayment plan, that comes to a median payment of about $328 a month, or roughly $3,936 a year.

Early earnings, with the timeline attached

Program-level earnings for those same graduates give the payment some context:

  • One year after finishing: median earnings of $57,834.
  • Four years after finishing: median earnings of $78,497.
  • Five years after finishing: median earnings of $75,317.

The four-year figure is the highest and the five-year figure slips slightly, so treat them as a rough band rather than a guaranteed climb. These numbers describe a broader counseling and applied psychology field of study at that school, not performance psychology alone, and they say nothing about the cheaper bachelor's options. Do not substitute school-wide earnings or debt averages for a program's own results.

A practical check before you commit

Before choosing a higher-priced program, divide a full year of expected loan payments by your likely first-year salary. At National University, $328 a month against $57,834 in first-year earnings is a manageable load, about 7 percent of gross pay. If a program costs far more and you cannot find comparable outcomes for its graduates, that same test will show you the risk.

Mapping the Route to CMPC Certification

The Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) follows a set sequence, and the steps below reflect AASP's 2026 requirements. If you are studying online, confirm that your program's coursework maps to the CMPC knowledge areas. Also ask how mentorship is arranged at a distance, since the mentored hours include direct client work and competitive sport populations.

AASP CMPC steps for 2026: graduate degree, eight knowledge areas, 400 mentored hours, 90-minute exam, 75 CEUs

What Admissions Committees Look for, Even Without a Psychology Major

Master's programs in sport and performance psychology are more open to career changers than many applicants expect. Doctoral programs set a noticeably higher bar.

  1. An accredited bachelor's degree and a qualifying GPA
    Master's minimums vary by school. Capella University asks for 2.3, and Arizona State University asks for 2.7 across the last 60 semester hours. University of Western States sets 2.75, while Northern Michigan and Saybrook ask for 3.0. ASU may consider lower GPAs for provisional admission if you include an explanation.
  2. Prerequisite coursework, often recommended rather than required
    ASU accepts bachelor's degrees in any field. It assumes you have basic statistics or research-methods skills and strongly recommends a course in one of them. Barry University lists no prerequisites. Northern Michigan prefers exercise science, psychology or related majors. If your degree is in another field, a statistics course before you apply closes the most common gap.
  3. GRE policy
    ASU, Capella, Northern Michigan and National University do not require the GRE. Florida State waives it for its master's program, and Kansas makes it optional. Barry requires it but waives it for applicants with a 3.75 cumulative GPA.
  4. Personal statement, recommendations and resume
    Barry stresses the personal statement, resume and undergraduate coursework over test scores. Use the statement to tie your coaching, athletic, military or performing-arts experience to the field.
  5. Higher doctoral expectations
    Florida State's Ph.D. requires a graduate degree, a 3.5 GPA and the GRE unless you qualify for a waiver. The University of Western States Ed.D. requires a master's degree, a 3.0 graduate GPA and a graduate-level research-methods course.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Do you want to consult on mental skills or treat clinical conditions?
Consulting on focus, confidence and routines points toward CMPC certification. Diagnosing and treating anxiety or depression requires a state license. The two paths call for different degrees, so settle this before comparing programs.
Does the coursework map to CMPC knowledge areas, and who arranges your mentored hours?
Programs that align courses with certification content save you rework later. Ask whether the school places you with a qualified mentor or leaves you to find one, because that gap often adds months.
Which setting do you want to work in, and can the practicum network reach it near you?
Athletes, military personnel, performing artists and executives each call for different experience. A program with strong ties to your preferred setting is worth more if you can actually reach those sites from home.
Can you attend live sessions in the program's time zone around your work schedule?
Online programs often require synchronous classes at fixed hours. If you work days or live several time zones away, check the weekly schedule first, since missed sessions can affect your standing.

Where Performance Psychology Graduates Work and What the Jobs Pay

A master's in sport and performance psychology most often leads to mental performance consulting, coaching, athletic department and military performance work, plus supervised hours toward the CMPC credential, while roles carrying the psychologist title require a doctorate and state licensure. The first rows below are national occupational wages from the BLS 2025 OEWS survey. The rest are individual 2026 job postings, industry pay ranges rather than BLS figures, and neither set reflects what program graduates earn after completing a specific degree.

Role or occupationData sourceTypical credential or posted requirementPayRange or setting detail
Psychologists, All OtherBLS OEWS 2025 (18,820 employed nationally)Doctorate (PhD or PsyD) and state psychologist license; includes many sport psychologist rolesMedian $110,840; mean $111,21025th to 75th percentile: $68,850 to $147,240
Clinical and Counseling PsychologistsBLS OEWS 2025 (75,990 employed nationally)Doctorate and state license; the usual route for clinically trained sport psychologistsMedian $100,580; mean $112,75025th to 75th percentile: $73,210 to $135,200
Psychology Teachers, PostsecondaryBLS OEWS 2025 (41,530 employed nationally)Doctorate for most university faculty postsMedian $80,340; mean $93,86025th to 75th percentile: $63,400 to $105,920
Coaches and ScoutsBLS OEWS 2025 (248,950 employed nationally)Varies; a master's in sport and performance psychology can strengthen a coaching profileMedian $47,320; mean $60,16025th to 75th percentile: $35,330 to $64,710
Embedded Sport Psychologist, Virginia Tech2026 job posting (industry range)CMPC certification listed as a qualification$72,000 to $82,000Collegiate athletics
Sport Psychological Assistant, UNLV2026 job posting (industry range)CMPC preferred, not required$81,000 to $90,000Collegiate athletics
Sport Staff Psychologist, UNLV2026 job posting (industry range)Psychologist role; CMPC preferred, not required$105,253 to $120,000Collegiate athletics; employer states it cannot exceed the posted range
Sport and Performance Psychologist, University of Denver2026 job posting (industry range)Psychologist role in a health and counseling center$89,000 to $93,000Serves intercollegiate athletes; funded jointly by athletics and the center
Sports Psychologist and Mental Performance Coach, Masters Academy International2026 job posting (industry range)Five years of sport or performance psychology experience sought$85,000 per yearMental skills consulting background in collegiate, professional or military settings preferred
H2F Physical Performance Specialist, Army National Guard2026 job posting (industry range)Physical performance title, not a mental performance consultant role$63,000 to $78,000 (anticipated)Military performance team; final offer depends on qualifications and contract terms
H2F Human Performance Team Program Director, U.S. Army2026 federal posting (industry range)Program leadership role$106,437 to $138,370Military holistic health and fitness program

Performance psychology credentials prepare you to coach athletes on mindset, focus, and motivation. They do not authorize clinical treatment. Only a state license lets you practice as a counselor or psychologist.

Performance Psychology Programs: Quick Answers

These answers cover the questions students ask most often before choosing a doctoral or master's route. Details vary by school, so confirm accreditation and licensure language directly with any program you are considering.

Can you earn a PhD in performance psychology fully online?
Yes, in some cases. National University offers a 100% online PhD in Psychology with a Sport and Performance Psychology specialization, and the University of Western States offers a fully online EdD in Sport and Performance Psychology. The two are different formats: a PhD is research oriented, while an EdD is applied. Neither route, by itself, should be assumed to lead to psychologist licensure.
Is performance psychology the same field as sport psychology?
They overlap heavily, but performance psychology has a broader scope. Sport psychology traditionally centers on athletic and physical performance, and APA Division 47 frames it around sport, exercise, and physical activity. Performance psychology applies similar mental, emotional, and behavioral methods to performing artists, business leaders, military personnel, and other professionals. The difference is mostly the populations served, not a separate science.
Can a performance psychology degree lead to licensure as a psychologist?
Usually not on its own. Psychologist licensure generally requires an APA-accredited doctorate in clinical, counseling, or school psychology, plus supervised hours and a licensing exam. APA does not accredit sport psychology as a standalone specialty, and fully online doctorates are generally not APA-accredited. To practice sport and performance psychology as a licensed psychologist, pursue a clinical or counseling PhD or PsyD.

More Fully Online Performance Psychology Programs to Consider

The entries below sit outside the ranked list above and are presented as a directory, not a second ranking. They appear in the order the source data returns them rather than by score, and each entry gives the school, city and state, degree level, program name, concentration where one is named, and graduate tuition where the program publishes it.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
The Master of Science in Kinesiology carries an Exercise and Sport Psychology specialization, delivered online with evening classes and some asynchronous coursework. Students can finish in 12 to 22 months, and the curriculum is built to help meet Certified Mental Performance Consultant requirements.
  • MS in Kinesiology (Exercise and Sport Psychology)
Edwardsville, IL · Online or On-Campus
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
A 100% online Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology with fall, spring and summer start dates and full-time or part-time pacing. Coursework covers mental skills training and the psychosocial factors behind performance, aligned with CMPC certification, and no GRE is required.
  • Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology
Bloomsburg, PA · Online
Parker University
Parker's fully online Bachelor of Science in Sport Psychology covers psychological theory, scientific research and applied skills alongside exercise physiology, biomechanics and injury rehabilitation. Graduates typically continue to graduate study or move into coaching, education or health promotion roles.
  • Sport Psychology
Dallas, TX · Online
Dominican University of California
A 53-unit Master of Arts in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology at $1,283 per unit, offered online or on campus with a required two-week summer residency. Students complete supervised field placements and a portfolio project in place of a thesis, plus optional coaching track electives.
  • Master of Arts in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (ASPP)
San Rafael, CA · Online or On-Campus
Kent State University at Stark
The online Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology runs 120 credits and takes about four years of full-time study, with Ohio residents paying roughly $612.62 per credit. Coursework covers motivation, mental training and stress management, and a practicum is included.
  • Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
North Canton, OH · Online
Kent State University at Tuscarawas
Delivered through Kent State's Tuscarawas campus, this online bachelor's degree requires 120 credits over roughly four years. The curriculum addresses motivation, mental training and stress management, with courses such as Psychology of Coaching and Sport Performance Psychological Interventions, plus a practicum.
  • Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
New Philadelphia, OH · Online
Kent State University at Trumbull
Kent State's Trumbull campus offers the online Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, a 120-credit degree usually completed in four years. Mental skills training, injury psychology and ethical practice are covered, and first-year and transfer students are both considered.
  • Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Warren, OH · Online
Kent State University at Salem
This online bachelor's degree in sport, exercise and performance psychology is available through Kent State's Salem campus and requires 120 credits, typically four years of full-time study. The program covers motivation, stress management and mental skills, with general education coursework alongside the major.
  • Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Salem, OH · Online
Kent State University at Ashtabula
Offered through Kent State's Ashtabula campus, the online Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology takes 120 credits and about four years. Students study motivation, mental training and stress management, and the degree prepares graduates for coaching, mental performance work or graduate school.
  • Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Ashtabula, OH · Online
Kent State University at Geauga
Kent State's Geauga campus delivers this 120-credit online bachelor's degree in sport, exercise and performance psychology, typically across four years of full-time study. Coursework includes the psychology of coaching and sport performance interventions, with Ohio resident tuition of about $612.62 per credit.
  • Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Burton, OH · Online
Kent State University at East Liverpool
Through Kent State's East Liverpool campus, students can complete the 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology entirely online. The curriculum covers motivation, mental training and stress management, and graduates go on to mental performance coaching or further study in psychology.
  • Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
East Liverpool, OH · Online
Springfield College
A 36-credit Master of Education in Sport and Exercise Psychology delivered fully online and asynchronously, with 7 and 15 week course formats and completion in about 18 months full time. A 135-hour applied internship is included, with remote supervision provided.
  • MEd in Sport and Exercise Psychology Online
Springfield, MA · Online

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