Are You Considering a Career in Sports Psychology
If you have been considering your job options
and sports psychology sounds like an exciting and interesting field to
you, it’s a good idea to learn as much as possible about this
professional path. This career combines the challenges of psychology
with a passion of sports, not to mention the rewards of helping people
achieve a higher sense of mental health and wellbeing.
There
are many different avenues you could take in the career field of sports
psychology, and many different types of people with whom you might work.
Read on to learn about some of the different things you could do with a
career in sports psychology, and how to get there.
The Purpose of Sports Psychology
The field of sports psychology is mostly concerned with assisting
athletes in achieving health and wellbeing, and utilizing the study and
practice of psychology to enhance these athletes’ performance on the
field. There are many variations on this career, ranging from working
with million-dollar athletes to children in afterschool programs. Many
professional teams employ sports psychologists. Other athletes and
organizations, from Olympians to school sports programs, also hire
sports psychologists.
Steps to Enter the Field
If you’re serious about this field, you will need to find a university
with a strong psychology program and pursue a bachelor’s degree, as well
as a master’s degree. Students often complete a bachelor’s degree in
general psychology or a related field and pursues a specialized master’s
degree in sports psychology later on. There are even online programs in
sports psychology. Through such programs, you could pursue a master’s
degree or PhD on a schedule that works for your lifestyle, even as you
continue working at your current job.
Internships and clinical
hours are required, as well. These opportunities offer hands-on
training in the field that goes beyond the confines of a physical or
virtual classroom. An internship could be particularly beneficial,
because it would provide something more to list on your résumé that
proves your experience in the specialized field of sports psychology.
With a graduate degree, you will be eligible to sit for the psychologist
licensing exam. You can then pursue careers in your area of interest
within sports psychology.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, sports psychologists earn an
average salary between $41,850 and $71,880, but there is potential for
more. Because it’s a highly specialized field with expected growth in
the school sports arena, it is a good time to consider going into this
field.
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