Sports Psychology

Work With Athletes

The sports psychology program at Olivet will prepare you for careers in coaching, wellness management, and athletic development. Many of our students work directly with athletes in hospital wellness or rehabilitation programs, helping them recover from sports-related injuries. You’ll learn how to apply psychology to improve mental performance and help individuals achieve their personal and professional goals.

Courses in the Program

Our Michigan-based sports psychology program offers a well-rounded curriculum designed to give you a deep understanding of mental performance and behavioral health in the context of sports and fitness. Key courses include:

• PSY 325 – Abnormal Psychology: Study different mental health disorders, their causes, and the social and historical views surrounding them.
• HHP 301 – Social Psychology in Sport: Explore how social factors such as team dynamics and motivation impact performance in sports and exercise.
• HHP 401 – Kinesiology: Learn how muscles and physics work together to create human movement.
• SRM 410 – Sports Philosophy and Ethics: Examine ethical issues in sports and how to apply moral reasoning to real-world situations.

By completing these courses, you’ll gain the knowledge and experience needed to work with athletes, coaches, and others in the sports world to improve mental strength, motivation, and well-being.

Clubs and Organizations

Engage in student-led organizations to build your leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and deepen your understanding of sports psychology. These clubs will help you connect with professionals in the field and offer you networking opportunities:

Phi Epsilon Kappa

Recognizes students in the areas of physical education, health, recreation, dance, human performance, exercise science, sports medicine and sports management.

Psych Club

Dedicated to promoting the study of psychology, providing educational enrichment, promoting personal development, and providing service to the campus and community.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

Established to follow the guidelines set forth by the NCAA, which is the college’s governing body for athletics. This committee allows the college’s student-athletes to have a voice in matters that pertain to them.

Why Choose The University of Olivet for Your Sports Psychology Degree?

Studying sports psychology in Michigan at The University of Olivet means learning in an environment that values your goals and supports your growth academically and personally. You’ll explore how the mind and body work together in performance settings while preparing for real-world challenges in health, athletics, or wellness.

Personal, Purposeful Education

With small class sizes and close-knit faculty-student relationships, you’ll be part of a campus community that encourages meaningful discussion and deep learning. Professors take the time to know your interests and help you shape a path that fits your passion, whether that’s coaching youth athletes or helping patients recover mentally and physically.

Michigan-Based, Career-Minded

Located in central Michigan, The University of Olivet gives you access to a range of local organizations, clinics, and athletic programs. Whether you’re working toward a job right after graduation or applying to grad school, you’ll have a strong foundation and a network of support to get there.

Career Outlook for Those With Sports Psychology Degrees

The demand for professionals with a background in sports psychology continues to rise as mental health and performance psychology become more important in sports and fitness. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports:

• Health education specialists earn a median salary of $59,990, with employment expected to grow by 7% through 2032, faster than the national average.
• Coaches and scouts earn a median of $48,260, with the market expected to expand by 9% through 2032, much faster than average.
• Recreational therapists earn a median of $51,330, with demand rising in rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities as physical activity becomes a larger part of recovery plans.
• Behavioral counselors earn a median salary of $53,710, with employment projected to grow by a significant 18% by 2032

The field is going strong and offers many paths to graduate study in psychology, therapy, or human performance.

Jobs for Sports Psychology Graduates

With a sports psychology background, you’ll be prepared to work in a variety of roles where psychology and performance intersect:

• Mental Performance Coach: Helps athletes and performers develop focus, resilience, and competitive confidence.
• Recreational Therapist: Uses physical activity and structured programs to improve mental and emotional well-being.
• Health and Wellness Coordinator: Designs and manages programs that promote physical and mental health in schools, workplaces, or clinics.
• Athletic Coach: Guides individuals or teams in developing physical skills, motivation, and discipline for competitive success.
• Rehabilitation Support Specialist: Assists patients during recovery from injury, focusing on mindset, goal-setting, and adaptive strategies.
• Youth Program Leader: Develops life skills and supports confidence-building through sport-based programming for children and teens.
• Graduate Student in Clinical or Performance Psychology: Prepares for roles in therapy, research, or specialized performance consulting.

These roles allow you to work directly with individuals, teams, or communities, as you apply your understanding of motivation and mental strategy to improve lives and performance.