10 Best Online Sports Psychology Degrees in 2025

Psychology is one of the best online degrees you can earn; however, there are many concentrations within the field to consider. Sports psychology is one of the top online psychology degrees for those who take an interest in football, baseball, and many other sports. The top online bachelor's in sports psychology programs tackle the theory and application of sports psychology in a flexible format.

Students can find accredited, affordable online sports psychology degrees that make it easy to complete their higher education. Keep reading to discover the best online sports psychology degrees.

Top Online Sports Psychology Schools

Several colleges and universities throughout the country offer online sports psychology degrees. We've highlighted our top picks below.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research institution in Tempe, AZ. It offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in counseling and applied psychological science with a specialization in sport and performance.

This program provides context for understanding human behavior and achieving peak performance in domains such as sports, exercise, and competition. Coursework covers topics such as mental health, psychological theory, and sport, exercise, and performance psychology.

2. California Baptist University

At California Baptist University, students can earn a BS in sport and performance psychology online. It provides students with the psychological foundation needed to help others overcome the cognitive problems that impede their athletic performance.

Cal Baptist is a private school located in Riverside, CA. It offers classes every eight weeks so online students can begin as soon as they're ready.

3. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

One of the best online master's in sports psychology is available through the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. The public university offers a Master of Science (MS) in sports and performance psychology.

The psychological factors of performance and mental skills training are emphasized throughout the program. In addition to real-world learning opportunities, students take courses on research methods and ethical issues in sports psychology, sports sciences, and counseling skills for sport and performance psychology.

4. Faulkner University

Faulkner University offers a BS in sports psychology online. Students graduate prepared with the skills and knowledge necessary to offer mental and emotional support to all athletes regardless of age, level of competition, or sport.

Faulkner University, located in Montgomery, AL, is a private Christian school. It offers courses in topics like exercise science, kinesiology, mental health, and psychological theory in this degree program.

5. Kent State University

Kent State University is a public research institution in Kent, OH. It offers an online BS in sport, exercise, and performance psychology that covers subjects such as:

• psychology of coaching
• psychology of exercise
• psychological aspects of sport injury
• sports in society

The major explores social-psychological concepts such as motivation, self-confidence, anxiety, or burnout, and how these concepts interact with the sports environment to influence athletes and performance. A practicum experience is required.

6. National University

Students at National University can earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in sports psychology online. This private institution is headquartered in San Diego.

The BS in sport psychology explores the reasons and factors that influence people to participate in physical activity; it also explains how a person's emotions and mental state can affect athletic performance. The program concludes with a capstone senior project in the field of sport psychology.

In the MS in sport and performance psychology program, students receive rigorous training to become knowledgeable, effective mental performance practitioners and professionals. Two specializations are available for this graduate program: applied mental performance and theoretical mental performance.

7. Northern Michigan University

An online MS in applied sport psychology is available through Northern Michigan University. This comprehensive online program prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and practical applications for success in the fields of sport psychology, mental performance consulting, and sports coaching.

Students in this graduate program must complete a 400-hour mentorship, which is needed to sit for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) exam through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). NMU is a public university in Marquette, MI.

8. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville offers an MS in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise and sport psychology online. SIUE, located in Edwardsville, IL, is a public institution.

This master's program integrates theory, research, and practice. It includes the study of cognitive, emotional, psychological, and social factors that influence sports and exercise behaviors, as well as the effects of physical activity on psychological factors.

9. Springfield College

Springfield College is a private school in Springfield, MA. It offers an online Master of Education (MEd) in sport and exercise psychology.

This program provides students with a holistic perspective of sports and exercise behavior, encompassing psychological, sociological, and physiological viewpoints. It includes a 135-hour applied practicum experience providing sport and exercise psychology services to athletes or other performers.

10. University of the Southwest

Through the University of the Southwest, students can earn an MS in sport psychology online. This degree prepares students with the theories and principles concerning the psychology and physical effects of playing sports.

This private Christian school is based in Hobbs, NM. Through its graduate program in sports psychology, students learn the methods that can help teams improve their dynamics, boost their performance, recover from injuries, and overcome emotional obstacles caused by competition.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the programs listed above, our methodology focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools listed above are regionally accredited.
• Type: We looked only at four-year public and private nonprofit schools.
• Online Options: Each program offers fully online coursework that prepares students for professional practice in sport psychology or a related field.
• Financial Aid: All programs are from accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA and many offer financial aid of their own.

Benefits of an Accredited Online Sports Psychology Program

An accredited sports psychology program will teach you the foundations, as well as the application of sport psychology. Most programs offer online courses in an asynchronous format, meaning you complete your coursework on your own time.

For many students, this is a far more flexible option than meeting in person on campus several times a week. It allows students to concentrate on work or family while pursuing higher education.

Steps To Choose an Online Sports Psychology Degree

While all good sports psychology programs teach you what you need to know to pursue careers in the field, they aren't all the same. When choosing an online sports psychology degree, consider factors like:

• Accreditation: The program you choose must be from an accredited school, preferably one that is regionally accredited.
• Specializations: Some programs allow you to focus on specific areas within sports psychology.
• Schedule: Many schools offer full-time and part-time schedules to online students, but some only offer one option.
• Cost: Tuition rates and financial aid opportunities vary between schools.

Scholarships for Sports Psychology Majors

Below, we've highlighted a few scholarships that sport psychology students can pursue.

Inclusion, Diversity, and Excellence in Advocacy and Social Justice (IDEAS) Student Award

Award Amount: $500

Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

The Inclusion, Diversity, and Excellence in Advocacy and Social Justice (IDEAS) Student Award is offered through the AASP. It's meant to recognize and honor the achievements of students involved in research, service, or applied experiences that focus on diversity, inclusion, social justice, or advocacy in sport and performance psychology.

Outstanding Student Practice Award

Award Amount: $500

Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

The AASP also offers the Outstanding Student Practice Award. This award is given to an AASP student member who demonstrates exceptional quality and innovation in delivering sport and performance psychology services to the public.

Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships

Award Amount: $5,500

Application Deadline: June 10, 2025

The Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships from the American Psychological Foundation recognize outstanding psychology undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. Students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA.

FAQs About Online Sports Psychology Degrees

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about online sports psychology degrees.

What Degree Is Best for Sports Psychology?

A degree in sports psychology is usually the best option for a career in sports psychology. However, if you can't find a program that suits you, degrees in psychology or sports science work well too.

What Can You Do With an Online Sports Psychology Degree?

Several career opportunities are available to students with an online degree in sports psychology, including:

• athletic administrator
• performance or athletic coach
• Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC)
• exercise physiologist
• fitness instructor
• Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES)
• sport psychologist
• strength and conditioning coach

Note that some roles may require a master's or doctoral degree, and some require certification or licensure.

What Are the Prerequisites for Enrolling in an Online Sports Psychology Degree Program?

To enroll in an online bachelor's degree in sports psychology, you'll need to be admitted into the school. Admissions requirements usually include a high school diploma or equivalent and may include a minimum GPA, minimum ACT/SAT scores, a personal essay, and letters of recommendation.

If you're pursuing a degree completion program or an accelerated online sports psychology degree, you may need an associate degree or a significant number of transfer credits.

Graduate programs require a bachelor's degree, often in sports psychology or a related field. Some also require the GRE, a minimum undergraduate GPA, a resume, personal essays, and/or letters of recommendation.

Pursue an Online Bachelor's Degree Today

Discover the right online sports psychology degree for you by exploring the accredited programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual colleges for more information on admissions requirements, enrollment, and financial aid.