Master of Science, Kinesiology, Sport and Exercise Psychology Concentration

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Completion of prerequisite coursework may be required if degree major or minor is not in psychology or kinesiology/exercise science.
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
• A full vitae or resume that includes the following:
  • Work history,
  • Professional experiences,
  • Membership and participation in professional organizations,
  • Other experiences related to the academic program, and
• Three letters of recommendation
• A personal statement of no more than three pages that includes the following:
  • A description of previous professional experiences and accomplishments,
  • Career goals,
  • Reasons for interest in the graduate program at Georgia Southern University.
• Completion of an online application for the College of Graduate Studies.
• A phone, video-based, or in-person interview with the program director may be requested for some candidates after an initial review of submitted applications is completed.

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Grade point average (GPA) of 2.75-2.99 (4.0 scale).
• A full vitae or resume that includes the following:
  • Work history,
  • Professional experiences,
  • Membership and participation in professional organizations,
  • Other experiences related to the academic program, and
• Three letters of recommendation
• A personal statement of no more than three pages that includes the following:
  • A description of previous professional experiences and accomplishments,
  • Career goals,
  • Reasons for interest in the graduate program at Georgia Southern University
• Completion of an online application for the College of Graduate Studies.
• A phone, video-based, or in-person interview with the program director may be requested for some candidates after an initial review of submitted applications is completed.

Upon completion of the curriculum, students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the research and scientific process and how it is implemented to solve problems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the current issues and trends in sport and exercise psychology.
• Demonstrate an understanding of advanced concepts and theories in counseling as it relates to sport and exercise psychology.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to apply theoretical knowledge and frameworks to practical situations/issues involving mental skills training, life skills training, and improving quality of life and wellbeing.

The graduate Sport and Exercise Psychology Program at seeks to maintain its status an elite academic program focusing on the interdisciplinary study of applied sport and exercise psychology. The program promotes ethical graduate education mentorship, scholarship, research and grant procurement, applied experience in sport and exercise psychology, and a commitment to professional and public service.

To this end, the sport and exercise psychology program at Georgia Southern University is characterized by:

• Student preparation for future excellence through interdependent leadership, innovation, and service. Future excellence may be at the applied doctoral level or an applied position within the sport and exercise psychology discipline including life skills development, mental skills training, or health behavior change consultations.
• Diverse faculty and staff who are internationally acclaimed, use emerging technology, are innovative with curriculum, produce grants and scholarly manuscripts, are socially and morally responsible, and have a genuine regard for the well-being and training of graduate students.
• Community partnerships and applied sport and exercise psychology and life skills experiences to enhance performance and human well-being.
• An environment that promotes academic distinction, high expectations, and intellectual engagement through student centered research and learning initiatives, faculty research collaboration, and technological advancement.
• A clearly focused and valued purpose.

The mission of the Sport and Exercise Psychology program is to provide initiative which will lead the program towards the Vision.

This will be accomplished by:

• Creating, evaluating, and disseminating knowledge in the discipline.
• Applying theory through applied service provision.
• Providing support to the mission of the School, College, and University.
• Providing mentorship and advisement to students within the program.
• Providing opportunities for student-centered research and learning initiatives within the sport and exercise psychology discipline.
• Emphasizing the importance of student-faculty research collaboration.
• Offering state of the art laboratory and research facilities.
• Providing a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum aligned with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology requirements for Certification.
• Providing access to and education on the use of emerging technology.
• Encouraging creative approaches to reach educational goals.
• Providing resources and guidance for grant writing, research and scholarly writing.
• Marketing faculty and student expertise.
• Respecting the diversity of thought, expression and being.
• Making students the priority in decisions that benefit their education.
• Providing opportunities for student-faculty interaction.
• Providing opportunities for outstanding student achievement.
• Providing community service which focuses on the science and practice of sport and exercise psychology.
• Providing the opportunity for students to tailor their program of study to meet specific interests.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with local, national, and international partners.