University of Denver Sports Psychology Program | Courses, Careers & Admissions

Looking to study Sports Psychology at the University of Denver? This program blends mental performance coaching with real-world experience to prepare you for a thriving career in sports psychology. Learn how it works, who it’s for, and how to get started—step by step.

Sports psychology is no longer just for elite athletes—it’s now a vital tool in coaching, therapy, and performance improvement. If you’re passionate about both psychology and athletics, the University of Denver’s Sports Psychology program might be the perfect fit. But with so many programs out there, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.

The good news? This guide cuts through the noise. You’ll learn exactly what DU’s program offers, how it stands out, what you’ll study, and where it can take your career. Let’s walk through each section with clear answers and helpful examples.

What is Sports Psychology?

Definition and Core Concepts

Sports psychology is the study of how the mind affects athletic performance and physical activity. It looks at how thoughts, emotions, and behavior influence an athlete’s success. Sports psychologists help athletes stay focused, motivated, and confident.

This field blends principles from psychology, exercise science, and coaching. Whether it’s helping a pro athlete manage stress before a big game or guiding a student to stay consistent with training, sports psychology offers real, practical tools.

One of the key ideas is mental conditioning. This means building mental skills like concentration, positive self-talk, and emotional control. These tools help athletes perform better, recover faster, and handle setbacks with resilience.

According to the American Psychological Association, this field also includes team dynamics, communication, and goal-setting. These are important not only for elite performers but also for people involved in recreation, fitness, or rehab.

Importance in Modern Athletics

Today’s athletes face more than just physical challenges. Pressure, expectations, and burnout are real issues. Sports psychology gives them tools to cope.

Top teams and Olympic programs now hire sports psychologists as part of their support staff. Even youth athletes benefit from learning how to set goals, handle stress, and build confidence.

This is not limited to just winning. It’s about mental well-being, long-term growth, and personal balance. Many professionals in this field also work with injured athletes to boost their recovery, both physically and emotionally.

Sports psychology is also used in business, performing arts, and military training. These are all high-pressure fields where mental strength matters.

Career Fields That Require Sports Psychology Knowledge

A background in sports psychology opens the door to many careers. Here’s a look at the most common ones:

Some of these roles require a graduate degree and state licensure. Others allow for freelance or consultancy-based careers, especially when paired with coaching experience.

Why Choose the University of Denver?

Overview of DU’s Academic Strengths

The University of Denver (DU) is known for strong programs in psychology, counseling, and performance science. It offers a blend of classroom learning and real-world experience. DU ranks highly in student satisfaction, faculty engagement, and graduate outcomes.

The university has a long tradition in the social sciences and is especially known for its focus on ethical, inclusive, and community-based approaches. For students who want to work directly with athletes or conduct research, DU provides the tools and environment to thrive.

DU’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology is accredited and well-respected. It is designed for those who want to apply psychological theory to performance, resilience, and personal growth.

The Center for Performance Excellence (COPE)

One of the top reasons to study at DU is COPE — the Center for Performance Excellence. It connects students with athletes, teams, and performers in real settings.

At COPE, students practice what they learn in class. They help real clients improve focus, boost confidence, and recover from setbacks. The center also leads workshops and outreach programs in local schools and organizations.

This hands-on model helps students build experience, learn to adapt to different needs, and grow their professional networks. You don’t just learn theory—you apply it with guidance from experts.

Learn more about COPE here.

Location Advantage – Denver, Colorado

Denver is a sports-friendly city. It’s home to professional teams like the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Rockies (MLB), and Denver Broncos (NFL). This opens up unique internship and networking opportunities.

In addition, Colorado is known for active lifestyles and outdoor sports. That means more chances to work with runners, climbers, skiers, and cyclists—many of whom value mental performance coaching.

Denver’s location also makes it easy to connect with health clinics, performance centers, and research hubs across the state.

Program Overview – Degrees in Sports Psychology at DU

Master’s Degree (MA) in Sport and Performance Psychology

The MA in Sport and Performance Psychology at DU is a 2-year graduate program. It prepares students to become certified mental performance consultants or to move on to doctoral studies.

The program includes:

• In-class learning
• Supervised practice hours
• Research and writing projects
• Community outreach

You’ll take courses like Applied Sport Psychology, Ethics, Diversity in Practice, and Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions. The degree is structured to balance theory and real-world practice.

Graduates are eligible to pursue certification through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Read more on AASP here.

PhD in Counseling Psychology (with Sport Focus)

For those who want to go deeper, DU offers a PhD in Counseling Psychology with a sport and performance focus. This degree is more research-heavy and includes clinical training.

The PhD typically takes 5–6 years. Students complete internships, clinical hours, and a dissertation. It’s ideal for careers in teaching, advanced research, or licensed clinical practice.

This program is APA-accredited, which is important if you plan to become a licensed psychologist. Learn about APA accreditation here.

Accreditation and Licensure Pathways

DU’s psychology programs follow national standards. This means graduates are prepared to pursue:

• CMPC certification (Certified Mental Performance Consultant)
• State licensure for clinical roles (after passing exams and completing hours)
• Advanced doctoral studies if desired

Before enrolling, it’s smart to review licensure rules in your state. Visit ASPPB for a state-by-state guide.

Courses and Curriculum

Core Subjects

Students in the University of Denver’s Sports Psychology program learn the key skills to help athletes perform their best. These courses focus on real-world tools and proven methods. You’ll learn how to help people handle pressure, focus on goals, and build healthy habits.

Here are the core classes:

• Psychology of Human Performance – Understand how focus, stress, and emotions affect physical actions.
• Behavioral Coaching and Feedback – Learn how to talk with athletes in a helpful, clear way.
• Group and Team Dynamics – Study how teams work and how to build stronger group performance.
• Applied Sport Psychology – Use real tools with real athletes during classwork and fieldwork.
• Ethics and Professional Practice – Explore rules and standards you must follow as a consultant or therapist.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies – Learn how thoughts affect actions and how to change unhelpful thinking.

Each course mixes theory and practice so you’re ready to work with clients.

You can read more about these types of classes at the DU Sport and Performance Psychology page.

Electives and Practical Application

The program also offers many electives that let you dive deeper into special areas. These classes let you shape your learning based on your career goals. Some focus on health. Others are tied to performance, culture, or injury recovery.

Here are common electives:

• Neuropsychology and the Brain – See how the brain works in sport settings.
• Trauma and Resilience – Help athletes bounce back from hard times or mental blocks.
• Counseling Diverse Populations – Learn how to work with people from many backgrounds.
• Injury Psychology – Study how to support recovery after physical harm.

All students also take part in hands-on practice. You may work in schools, sports clinics, or through the Center for Performance Excellence. This builds your confidence and your resume.

Capstone and Practicum Requirements

The capstone project pulls together what you’ve learned in the program. It could be a paper, a case study, or a practical field report. You’ll get guidance from a faculty mentor and reflect on your growth.

You also complete a practicum, which is supervised experience with clients. This could include:

• One-on-one coaching
• Small team workshops
• Mental skills training sessions
• Performance evaluations

These experiences prepare you for certification as a CMPC or future graduate study. You can learn more about practicum guidelines from the AASP website.

Admission Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

To apply to the MA in Sport and Performance Psychology at DU, you need a bachelor’s degree. The degree can be in psychology, kinesiology, sports science, or a related field. If your background is different, you may still apply, but might need extra prep work.

Most accepted students have:

• A GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Experience with coaching, sports, or helping others
• A strong reason for wanting to work in this field

While the GRE is not required, showing strong writing and clear goals is key. Your statement of purpose plays a big role.

Letters of recommendation and a resume are also required. These help the program learn about your work ethic and past roles.

You can find a full checklist on the DU Graduate Admissions page.

Application Process and Deadlines

DU accepts new students once per year—usually for the fall quarter. It’s best to apply early, even though the final deadline is in late spring.

Steps to apply:

1. Submit online application through DU’s portal
2. Upload transcripts, resume, and statement of purpose
3. Request 2–3 letters of recommendation
4. Pay the application fee
5. Optional: include writing samples or work portfolios

You can check specific dates on the program’s official site.

After applying, most students hear back in 4–6 weeks.

Tips for a Strong Application

To stand out, show that you understand what sports psychology is—and why you want to work in it.

Here are key tips:

• Be specific in your personal statement. Share real stories or moments that shaped your interest.
• Mention any coaching, mentoring, or athlete experience you’ve had.
• Show how your past work or education has built skills like listening, teaching, or leadership.
• Let recommenders know your goals so their letters align with your story.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. But you should show that you’re ready to grow and serve others.

Scholarships, Assistantships, and Tuition

Financial Aid Options

The University of Denver offers many ways to make the program more affordable. Students can apply for financial aid, scholarships, and assistantships. You can start by filling out the FAFSA form to apply for aid. DU’s school code is 001371.

There are also merit-based scholarships. These go to students with strong records or community service. You don’t always need a separate form—some are automatic based on your application.

You may also qualify for graduate assistantships. These jobs help pay for school while you gain experience. You might assist a professor, help with research, or support a campus program.

Check out DU’s full list of funding options here.

Estimated Costs and Budgeting

It’s smart to plan ahead for the full cost of your degree. Tuition at DU is charged per credit hour.

Here is a basic breakdown:

Costs can vary based on housing, course load, and personal choices. Some students work part-time or take internships to help offset costs.

If you want to learn more about costs and budgeting tips, visit the DU Cost of Attendance page.

Career Paths After Graduation

Sports Psychologist Roles

Graduates from the University of Denver’s Sports Psychology program are well-prepared for many roles. One common path is becoming a sports psychologist. In this role, you help athletes with focus, confidence, and recovery from setbacks.

Sports psychologists work in many places. These include:

• Pro sports teams
• College athletic departments
• Mental health clinics
• Private practices

To become a licensed psychologist, you’ll need a PhD or PsyD and pass your state’s licensure exam. Most states also require supervised clinical hours. You can find more about these requirements on the APA licensing page.

If you don’t want to pursue a license, you can still work as a mental performance coach. This path lets you train athletes on skills like goal-setting, visualization, and focus without doing therapy.

Research and Academia

Some graduates love research and teaching. They go on to earn a PhD and work in universities or research labs. Their goal is to study how mental performance affects outcomes.

Research in sports psychology includes:

• Studying the link between mindset and injury recovery
• Exploring how team culture impacts group success
• Testing new tools for mental training
• Writing articles or teaching college classes

Academic roles often come with added benefits like grant funding, access to research assistants, and collaboration with global experts. You can read examples of ongoing studies on sites like ResearchGate and PubMed.

Non-Clinical Careers

Not every graduate wants to work in therapy or research. Luckily, this degree opens doors to many other non-clinical careers. These roles are flexible and focus on real-world coaching, leadership, and wellness.

Popular options include:

These careers may not need a license but still use the core skills from DU’s program: communication, planning, and motivation.

Alumni Success Stories

Testimonials from Past Graduates

Many DU alumni say the hands-on training and supportive faculty helped them succeed. One graduate, now working with a pro soccer team, said:

“The practicum experience gave me real confidence. I walked into my first job knowing how to help and what tools to use.”

Another alum, now in private practice, added:

“The blend of research and coaching let me find my own path. I help student-athletes every day, and I love it.”

These stories show how well DU prepares students for life after graduation. The skills you build—like goal-setting, empathy, and teamwork—apply in many fields.

Notable Alumni Achievements

Some graduates have gone on to do remarkable things. DU alumni have:

• Published research in top journals like The Sport Psychologist
• Presented at global events such as the AASP Annual Conference
• Worked with teams in the NFL, NCAA, and Olympic training programs
• Created online platforms for mental training and performance coaching

These paths show what’s possible with hard work, the right training, and strong support from faculty mentors. DU’s network also helps open doors, especially through internships and alumni connections.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Is the University of Denver’s sports psychology program APA accredited?
Yes. The PhD in Counseling Psychology is APA accredited, which is required if you want to become a licensed psychologist. The MA program is not a clinical license path but prepares students for CMPC certification through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Can I pursue this program online?
Currently, the program is in-person only. The university believes hands-on learning is key for building real skills. However, some workshops and seminars may be available virtually.

How competitive is the admissions process?
The program is selective, but not impossible to get into. Strong personal statements, letters of recommendation, and some background in coaching, psychology, or athletics can really help.

What are the internship opportunities like?
DU offers access to internships through the Center for Performance Excellence (COPE). Students often work with local sports teams, schools, and clinics. This gives real experience before graduation.

Does DU offer job placement support?
Yes. Faculty help students explore job paths and write resumes. DU also has a career services center that supports graduate students with networking and interview prep. Learn more at the DU Career Services page.

Conclusion

The University of Denver’s Sports Psychology program offers a strong mix of theory, hands-on practice, and career support. Whether you want to coach athletes, work in mental health, or lead performance research, DU gives you the tools to grow and succeed.

With real-world training through the Center for Performance Excellence, expert faculty, and a strong alumni network, students graduate ready to make a difference in sports, wellness, and beyond.

If you’re looking for a program that balances science, people skills, and real experience, DU is a smart and practical choice. Explore the program, connect with an advisor, and take the first step toward your future in sports psychology.