Texas offers a range of sport psychology programs designed to help you build your knowledge and move forward in your career. Whether you want to become a mental performance consultant, a coach, or a researcher, these programs provide varied and well-rounded learning experiences.
This guide gives you an overview of popular programs designed to strengthen both mental and physical performance in sports. You can learn about the courses, faculty background, and direct learning opportunities available at each institution, helping you choose the program that best matches your professional goals.
Best Sports Psychology Programs in Texas
Here are some of the popular accredited schools offering sports psychology degree programs in Texas:
- University of North Texas
- Texas State University
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville
- Lubbock Christian University
- Texas Christian University
- University of the Southwest
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
University of North Texas
Master of Science in Kinesiology With a Concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology
The University of North Texas (UNT) offers a Master of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology. The program requires a total of 36 credit hours. This total includes 9 credit hours of core kinesiology courses. Students also complete 21 to 24 credit hours of course work to build knowledge in an area of focus, such as sport and exercise psychology, along with 3 to 6 credit hours of a culminating experience.
The kinesiology core includes the following courses:
- KINE 5100 – Research Perspectives in Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation (3 hours)
- KINE 5150 – Quantitative Procedures in Exercise and Sport (3 hours)
- KINE 5200 – Professional Development in Kinesiology (3 hours)
Students must choose 21 to 24 credit hours of electives with guidance from an advisor. No more than 6 credit hours may be taken outside the KINE program.
Students must complete 3 to 6 credit hours in a culminating experience. The available options include:
- KINE 5850 – Sport and Exercise Psychology Practicum, 6 credit hours (non-research, non-thesis)
- KINE 5860 – Practicum, Field Problem or Internship, 3 to 6 credit hours (non-research, non-thesis)
- KINE 5920 – Research Problems in Lieu of Thesis, 3 to 6 credit hours (research, non-thesis)
- KINE 5950 – Master’s Thesis, 6 credit hours (research, thesis)
Applicants must meet the following departmental admission requirements:
- Be accepted into UNT’s Toulouse Graduate School.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Earn a 3.0 grade point average or higher on all undergraduate course work, OR a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of the undergraduate degree, OR a 3.4 GPA on a master’s degree.
Ph.D. Counseling Psychology With an Emphasis in Sport Psychology
The University of North Texas also offers a sport psychology specialization through an elective cluster in its Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology. The Counseling Psychology program holds full accreditation from the American Psychological Association. This combined training path prepares students to become independent, licensed psychologists while also building the knowledge, skills, and practical background needed to work with athletes, coaches, teams, and sport organizations.
Through the sport psychology elective cluster, students may also choose extra course work to help meet certification requirements from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology for becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC).
The counseling psychology program and the sport psychology elective cluster train graduate students within the scientist-practitioner model. This training is provided through required course work in general psychology, counseling psychology, sport psychology, and sport sciences. Students also gain applied experience through separate individual, group, and sport psychology practica completed during their 4 to 6 years in the program.
Sport psychology training is provided in part through the UNT Center for Sport Psychology and Athlete Mental Health, which is a multidisciplinary center focused on sport psychology services, research, and training. Through the Center and its related practicum, students complete their applied sport psychology training and carry out scientific research in this area.
Students also have chances for professional growth in sport psychology by attending and presenting at professional conferences, leading workshops, preparing grant proposals, and writing articles for publication.
This doctoral program requires a serious level of commitment. The general counseling psychology program requires more than 100 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. It also requires a one-year supervised pre-doctoral internship, and that internship will likely take place in a state other than Texas.
For students in the sport psychology elective cluster, the total number of semester hours will be higher. The exact total depends on earlier graduate course work and the number of extra courses needed to meet certification standards from other professional organizations.
In general, students who enter with a master’s degree and transfer several graduate hours may be able to complete the counseling psychology program with the sport psychology elective cluster in 5 years, including the one-year predoctoral internship. Students who enter with only a bachelor’s degree should expect the program to take 6 years, again including the pre-doctoral internship.
In addition to the general psychology and counseling psychology core requirements, students in the sport psychology elective cluster must complete the following activities:
Coursework
Students must take:
- KINE 5185 or PSYC/KINE 6185 Applied Sport Psychology II – 3 credit hours
- PSYC 6200 Theory and Practice of Sport & Performance Psychology – 3 credit hours
Sport Psychology Practicum
Students are required to take Psyc/Kine 5850 Sport Psychology Practicum during at least the first three years of the program and the elective cluster. Most students enroll in the sport psychology practicum every year they are in the program. For each practicum experience, students receive both individual and group supervision from Center faculty.
Internship
A full-time internship lasting one year is required before the Counseling Psychology doctoral degree can be awarded. The Center Director will discuss internship placements with students in the year before they apply.
Doctoral applicants must meet the admission requirements of the UNT Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and must be admitted to the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program.
All students who meet the admission standards for the counseling psychology program and are selected by the admission committee will enter the doctoral program with an elective cluster. For the sport psychology elective cluster, the program places high value on motivation, intelligence, discipline, enthusiasm, self-awareness, interpersonal poise, and strong communication, research, and writing skills. Previous or current sport and exercise experience, while not required, is viewed as a strength.
As part of the admission application, individuals must provide all requested materials. In the statement of goals, applicants should explain their interest in earning a doctoral degree in counseling psychology, their career goals, their earlier academic and practical experiences, and their fit with the UNT Counseling Psychology program. In that statement, applicants should also discuss their interest in the sport psychology elective cluster available at UNT.
At the same time, applicants must clearly show the admission committee that becoming a licensed Counseling Psychologist is their main goal. The committee’s aim is to match the applicant’s interests and qualifications with the resources and goals of the program.
Students may apply for department-funded assistantships as well as university-based fellowships. The department and the Center work to support doctoral students throughout their time in the program. After admission is accepted, students will be informed by the counseling psychology program about their funding package.
Texas State University
Minor in Sport Psychology
The Sport Psychology minor at Texas State University requires 21 semester credit hours. This minor studies the connection between psychological concepts, theories, and a person’s thoughts about health and exercise. Students examine current theoretical views related to personality factors in exercise, the reasons people exercise, exercise adherence, mental skills, and the psychological effects of exercise.
The minor gives attention to topics such as training and coaching methods, teamwork and leadership, motivation and stress, and social issues in sport. Students also study the connection between brain biology and behavior.
Through this minor, students learn how to use psychological theories and points of view to understand thoughts about exercise, a person’s willingness to exercise, the choice of exercise, and the relationship between physical health and mental health.
Required Courses
- Psychosocial Aspects of Exercise of Sport Science
- Motor Learning
- Sensation and Perception
- Brain and Behavior
- Social Psychology
- Sport Psychology
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
- Health Psychology
- One course from the following:
- Philosophy and Sport
- Sociology of Sport and Leisure
This minor is ideal for students considering graduate studies in sport psychology, counseling, or athletic coaching.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Master of Science in Kinesiology – Performance Psychology Concentration
The Performance Psychology concentration at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is offered in a traditional format, and some face-to-face courses are required. This specialized degree plan is selected by students who want to center their studies on sport, exercise, and performance psychology.
The degree may be completed through a 36-credit-hour course-only option, a 36-credit-hour option that requires a research project or internship, or a 30-credit-hour option that requires a thesis. Depending on the course work selected, the program may prepare students to sit for CMPC examination.
The program works to strengthen the kinesiology disciplines through the discovery and sharing of knowledge related to human movement. An important part of this work is providing students with the knowledge and skills needed for advanced study or careers in health- and kinesiology-related fields. The program also aims to develop graduates who show strong character and remain lifelong learners.
Advanced study in health and kinesiology gives students an opportunity to improve their ability as master teachers or as human movement professionals. It can also prepare them to become administrators in their fields or continue into doctoral study in the kinesiology area they choose.
The admission requirements for the M.S. in Kinesiology program are as follows:
- Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, including GPA and GRE requirements specific to the College of Education and Human Performance.
- Applicants must show the ability to communicate in writing at the level needed for successful progress in the M.S. in Kinesiology program.
- Applicants must show a high level of professional and ethical conduct during their academic work to date.
- Applicants, especially those whose qualifications are borderline, are encouraged to request letters of recommendation from their undergraduate professors. These letters should be sent directly to the program coordinator.
Undergraduate courses in anatomy and physiology and exercise physiology are required for admission to these concentrations. Applicants who are missing one or more of these courses, or whose work in these courses is considered not strong enough, may still be admitted to the program. However, they must successfully complete the missing undergraduate courses during their first year in the program.
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for qualified graduate students.
Lubbock Christian University
Bachelor of Science – Sport and Exercise Psychology
Lubbock Christian University (LCU) offers a Sport and Exercise Psychology degree program that studies psychological concepts as they are used in sports, exercise, and performance. The program gives close attention to motivation, stress management, personality theory, performance improvement, goal-setting, team cohesion, and group dynamics. Students learn how to create goal-setting plans, identify factors that affect stress and anxiety, and understand ethical behavior in sports. This program is intended for students who want to apply psychology in athletic and exercise settings.
LCU’s Sport and Exercise Psychology program examines psychology concepts as they relate to individual participation in sport, exercise, and performance in competitive activities and settings. The focus in this area is placed on motivation, stress management, personality theory, performance improvement, goal-setting, team cohesion, and group dynamics.
This degree prepares students to use psychological principles in sports, competition, and physical performance. The program includes courses in physiology, motor learning, and exercise. Students also complete a 120-hour practicum to gain direct experience. The degree prepares graduates for entry-level roles or for graduate study in sport psychology.
Students in the program are expected to build suitable ability in the following knowledge and skill areas:
- Explain the background and practice of sport and exercise psychology.
- Assess forms of motivation and mental training that improve performance.
- Create goal-setting plans for teams and individuals in sport and exercise.
- Identify factors that add to personal stress, anxiety, and arousal, along with strategies that can reduce each one.
- Understand ideas about conduct in sports and the factors that influence ethical and unethical behavior in sports.
Admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Tuition and fees vary based on residency status. The program follows a traditional semester schedule with in-person classes.
Texas Christian University
Master of Science in Kinesiology – Emphasis in Sport Psychology
The Master of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology at Texas Christian University combines theory, research, and applied practice to help you study the link between the mental and physical sides of athletic performance.
This modern program follows a scientist-practitioner model. It helps you examine the close connection between athletic performance and psychological well-being. You build advanced research skills, receive interdisciplinary training, and gain practical knowledge that can be used in many performance-related fields. The curriculum prepares you for different career paths or for doctoral study, with attention given to both theory and applied methods in sport psychology.
The program gives you interdisciplinary training in both the basic theories and the practical use of sport psychology. You gain direct experience through active work in research and applied settings. You also have the chance to complete part of the required course work and begin earning mentored hours toward becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant.
This program places strong attention on research-based learning. It gives you a solid base in scientific inquiry and evidence-based practice. After graduation, you may be prepared to work as a mental performance consultant, continue into doctoral training, or enter related fields that focus on performance and well-being.
Apart from sports psychology concentration, the departmental core curriculum also gives you cross-disciplinary exposure to the study of human movement. Along with classroom learning, participation in original laboratory research is a major way for you to build a broad understanding of your specialty area.
At the end of the master’s degree, you should be able to design strategies for solving both practical problems and research questions within the field, and use movement-based principles in many activities across laboratory, educational, clinical, and athletic settings.
When you finish the program, you may be prepared for roles such as:
- Clinical Research Coordinator or Scientist in academic, hospital, or industry settings
- Health Data Analyst or Health Applications Specialist
- Exercise Physiologist
- Wellness Program Director
- Mental Performance Consultant
- Nutrition and Health Behavior Consultant
- Public Health Specialist
Applications for the graduate program open on August 1. The application deadline is February 1. Prerequisites include:
- A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree with a 24-hour kinesiology concentration or an equivalent background from an accredited institution. Applicants with a natural sciences concentration outside kinesiology may also be considered.
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for master’s program consideration.
- Applicants whose first language is not English should earn the following TOEFL scores:
- Computer-based test: 250 or higher
- Internet-based test: 100 or higher
- Written test: 600 or higher
Yearly admission decisions depend on the number of available spaces and the strength of applicant qualifications.
A research assistantship is one type of financial support offered to graduate students in exchange for helping faculty members or researchers with their projects. This support gives you useful research experience while helping fund your education. Your responsibilities may include tasks such as literature reviews, data collection, data analysis, and administrative work connected to research projects.
The application deadline for research assistantships is February 1.
University of the Southwest
Online Master of Science in Sports Psychology
The 36-credit online Master of Science in Sports Psychology at the University of Southwest is designed to prepare students for many professional paths. This degree helps students build knowledge of the theories and principles related to the psychology and physical effects of sports participation.
Through this program, students study methods that can help teams improve team dynamics, raise performance, recover from injuries, and manage emotional challenges caused by competition. Whether a student plans to become a coach, mentor, athlete, teacher, or enter another related field, this degree is meant to provide the knowledge and preparation needed for success.
Core Courses
- Foundations of Psychology
- Personality Theories
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Legal & Ethical Issues in Psychology
Specialization Courses
- Psychology of Sport & Injury
- Applied Sport Psychology
- Physiological Basis of Human Performance
- Research Methods & Analysis
- Group Dynamics
- Health & Human Behavior
- Neurological Basis for Motor Learning & Control
Typical admission requirements for the University of Southwest include:
- Submission of the online graduate application.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended.
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- A resume/CV, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
How Do I Choose the Right Sport Psychology Program in Texas?
Finding the right Sport Psychology program in Texas requires careful attention to several important points so the program matches your academic and career goals.
Program Curriculum: Look for a program that gives a good mix of theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Hands-On Experience: Choose programs that provide internships, practicums, and research opportunities.
Faculty Expertise: Make sure the faculty includes experienced and well-known professionals.
Reputation and Certifications: Review the program’s reputation and check whether it matches certification paths such as CMPC.
Flexibility: Think about whether the program offers full-time or part-time study options that fit your schedule.
Cost and Financial Aid: Compare tuition costs and review available scholarships and financial aid options.
By reviewing these factors, you can choose a program that prepares you for a successful career in sport psychology while also meeting your personal and professional needs.
How Much Do Sports Psychologists Make in Texas?
As of May 2026, the average annual pay for a sport psychologist in Texas is $131,000 per year. Top earning sport psychologist in Texas make well above $180,000 per year.
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