MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology

Course details

The Master of Science in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology provides the student with an in depth and comprehensive course of study in applied sport and exercise psychology designed to help enhance the sports participation and performance of athletes and coaches. The overall aim of the course is to educate specialists in the field of Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology. Graduates will have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to work in the area of enhancing sports performance, sports participation and best practice at a variety of age and performance levels. Graduates will have the ability to further the psychological development of athletes, coaches, teachers and other specialists from a broad-based, sound theoretical and applied course. Applied sports psychology focuses on teaching skills to enhance athletic performance such as goal setting and imagery. If you enjoy helping athletes and people achieve their full sporting and exercise potential, solving complex problems and working as part of a team, this field might be an ideal match for you. The MSc has been designed to bridge the gap in the culture of Irish sport at all levels of development from introducing children to sport to elite performance. Until now there has been an absence of opportunities for athletes, coaches, Physical Education teachers, Sports Science Graduates, Sports Leaders, Sports Development Officers, Volunteers and Exercise Specialists to upgrade knowledge and develop applied skills in the area of Sport Psychology. A taught MSc offers graduates of sports science, recreation, physical education and psychology a pathway towards enhancing their professional development within the sports environment.

The aim of the MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology provides the graduates with the ability to:

• Consult with athletes and teams with a view to providing psychological skills training appropriate to the individual and commensurate with their level of participation.
• Consult with organizations, individuals and exercise professionals with regards to exercise psychology skills training and consultation.
• Organise and operate workshops for coaches, teachers and exercise specialist in aspects of sport and exercise psychology.
• Guide and advise clubs, schools, coaches, parents and athletes in the application of sport psychology theories and practices and assist NGBs in the area of planning and implementing policy relating to participation, performance and periodisation of the training from a psychological perspective.
• Provide an arena for sports people to engage in reflective assessment of their involvement in sports, exercise and future developments.
• Plan and conduct research in sport and exercise psychology.

Semester 1

• Applied Sport Psychology
• Contemporary Social Psychology in Sport
• Team Building (residential week)

Semester 2

• Sport Performance Psychology
• Exercise Psychology
• Executive Business Coaching (residential week)

Postgraduate Diploma (60 credits)

A student who accumulates 60 credits in Semester 1 and 2 and who does not wish to complete the MSc may, at the discretion of the Programme Board, be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology.

Semester 3

• Personal and Professional Portfolio
• Mental Skills Training (residential week)
• Total credits semester Three 30

Entry Requirements

A bachelors degree at honours level (Level 8) in the areas of sports science, recreation and sport or physical education OR A bachelors degree at honours level (Level 8) in psychology or a related discipline and a level of significant performance and/or coaching experience in sport accompanied by necessary qualifications OR Equivalent qualification, accreditation may be given to prior learning and previous sporting experience.

WIT wishes to carefully evaluate applications from non-standard applicants. The number of places available on the course will be limited therefore an interview process may be required in the student selection procedure.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English.