Sports Psychology Careers

An athlete's performance, whether on a high school track team or a professional baseball team, is greatly affected by mental attitude and physical challenges. Sports psychologists work with individual athletes and sports teams to improve mental focus and motivation. Psychologists analyze athlete behavior patterns and develop individually tailored programs that help spur athletes to a higher performance level.

Career Options

A sports consultant identifies obstacles to success for individual athletes and teams, and employs psychological techniques to eliminate those barriers. Sports consultants should possess a strong exercise-science background. A researcher focuses her efforts on psychological factors that influence sports performance. She often applies her research hypotheses to real-world athletes and sports teams. A sports psychology educator teaches undergraduate and graduate college students. A doctorate is often necessary for sports psychology faculty positions.

Academic Tracks

Students can select from at least four sports psychology academic tracks. For example, you can combine a Ph.D. in clinical psychology or counseling with specialized sports psychology training. A master's degree or doctorate in sports psychology also provides a solid foundation. Combine your counseling or therapy degree with sports psychology studies. You can also mesh advanced fitness training with a sports psychology background. Gain a good working familiarity with sports that draws your professional interest.

Internship Opportunities

A sports psychology internship provides a valuable glimpse into the world of sports psychology and athletic performance. An intern commonly helps a professional sports psychologist analyze athletes' behaviors. He works with coaches to steer the athletes toward a higher performance level. The internship adds a human dimension to your textbook studies, and helps prepare you for real-world sports psychology opportunities. An exemplary internship performance can lead to a favorable career reference as well.

Applied Sports Psychology

Channel your sports psychology expertise into work with individual athletes, toward support of an entire sports team or to a combination of clients. For example, sports psychologists engage with the United States Olympic Committee to identify athletes and teams in need of training assistance. These sports psychologists often specialize in one or two sports to better tailor athletes' mental-preparation programs. Olympic sports psychologists often maintain private practices as well.

Professional Development

Many sports psychologists attend professional conferences to share research results that may lead to new treatment strategies. Conference participants also evaluate the ramifications of specific psychological service approaches. Attendees may also engage in discussions about new sports psychology applications and projected trends in the field. Conferences commonly provide a platform to network with recognized experts.