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Master of Science in Sport + Human Performance

Chicago

The Adler University Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance trains students to enhance performance and overall well-being through mental skills training and Practise, blending academic study with applied expertise.

  • 38 credits
  • 2-year Programme, full-time study
  • AASP-certification preparation
  • Part-time opportunities
  • Mentorship from Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPCs)
  • Dual-degree option
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Admission Deadlines

Term Priority Final
Fall 2026 4/1/2026 8/1/2026

Programme overview

Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. – Nelson Mandela

Adler University’s sport and human performance master’s program goes beyond traditional mental performance by integrating culture, community, and well-being with mental skills training.

Focused on both performance excellence and overall well-being, the program integrates specialized coursework, applied training, and expert mentorship.

Students work directly with athletes to build mental skills like confidence, self-awareness, and focus, gaining mentored experience that supports eligibility for certification with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).

Why choose the sport and human performance Programme at Adler?

  • Career readiness: Graduates pursue roles with youth academies, collegiate and professional teams, private Practise, and community organizations.
  • AASP-aligned curriculum: Coursework and field experiences structured to support eligibility for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) certification.
  • CMPC mentorship: Learn directly from practicing Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPCs).
  • Extensive field training: 8-15 months of mentored externship placements in Chicago-area sport and performance settings.

Expand Your Credentials

Adler University provides students with options to customize their education through dual degrees, certificates, and Programme emphases.

Dual-degree programs are available for those studying in Chicago, making it possible to pursue two fields of study at the same time — combining complementary skill sets, expanding professional networks, and opening new career opportunities.

Challenge limits and redefine performance with a dual degree that unites mental performance and clinical Counselling.

Adler University’s Master of Science (M.S.) in Sport and Human Performance combined with the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counselling (CMHC) prepares graduates to support clients across the mental health spectrum — from those navigating chronic mental illness to athletes striving for peak performance, while also leveraging sport as a platform for broader change. The Programme integrates clinical mental health training with advanced mental skills training, equipping students to drive impact across health care, sport, and community settings.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ADLER'S CMHC Programme

Careers That Power sport + human performance

Graduates of the sport and human performance master’s Programme build careers that bridge mental performance, health, and human potential.

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Mental Performance Consultant

Work with athletes, performing artists, business leaders, first responders, military members, and others working in high-pressure environments to Optimise and enhance performance. Graduates of the Sport and Human Performance Programme design holistic mental skills programs, taking into consideration intrapersonal and interpersonal skills and relationships and the systems in which they function.

Photo of Nola Remi-Adelasoye

PERFORMANCE COACH

Guide individuals and teams in applying performance psychology strategies that enhance consistency, motivation, and achievement. Performance Coaches collaborate across athletics, the arts, and corporate settings to unlock potential and sustain excellence in both training and competition.

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Wellness + Resilience Specialist

Develop and implement programs in schools, athletic departments, and organizations that address stress management, recovery, and holistic well-being. Wellness and Resilience Specialists design workshops, provide guidance on healthy performance practices, and build supportive environments that foster growth and achievement

Admissions requirements

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Eligibility

Applicants to the MSSHP Programme must meet the following requirements:

  • A baccalaureate degree earned from a regionally accredited college or university or an equivalent degree from an international college or university.
  • A recommended GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework. Exceptions may be made for applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic performance or academic ability in other ways.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to submit the following items to be considered for admission:

  • Application Fee.
  • Completed application submitted via the online portal.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
  • Statement of Intent.
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended (U.S. and Canada). International transcripts must be evaluated by a transcript evaluation service.
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation (optional).

Statement of Intent

Applicants are required to provide a statement of intent answering the following questions. They should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced.

  • Why are you interested in your chosen field and Programme?
  • Why is Adler University’s Programme a good fit for you?
  • Respond to Adler University’s mission statement as it relates to being a leader in your industry.
  • What are your career goals and interests?

How to Apply + Submit Transcripts
  1. Visit Adler University’s online application portal, create an account, and submit your application, fee, Statement of Intent, resume/CV, and references’ details.
  2. Have official transcripts sent directly from each issuing institution or approved service to the Office of Admissions prior to the application deadline. Do not upload official copies to the portal.

    Adler University – Office of Admissions
    17 N. Dearborn Street
    Chicago, IL 60602

    Official electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@adler.edu.
Three people in a room with wooden floors are tossing yellow balls, with chairs and a large TV in the background.

Where Learning Meets Performance

From writing with her toes to breaking down how athletes adapt under pressure, Adler student Destiny Franklin shows how experiential learning transforms challenges into breakthroughs. Her journey in the Motor Learning and Skill Acquisition course reflects the heart of Adler’s Sport and Human Performance Programme.

Read the full article

Curriculum | Internships | practicums

The Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance is a 38-credit Programme with focused study in mental performance. Completion of the Programme includes the courses below, along with additional requirements outlined in the Adler University Catalogue.

ADLER UNIVERSITY COURSE Catalogue

CORE COURSES

Introduction to Sport and Human Performance

This foundational course is designed to help students understand the origins and functions of the related fields of sport and human performance. It will include a historical analysis of the creation of sport psychology, tracing its roots to exercise science and cognitive-Behavioural theory. Professional organizations focused on both areas will be discussed (e.g., Association for Applied Sport Psychology [AASP], U. S. Olympic Committee Sport Psychology & Mental Training Registry, American Psychological Association Division 47-Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology).

Motor Learning and Skill Acquisition

This course will provide a topical explanation and provide students the opportunity to apply principles of human movement Behaviour to acquisition and performance of skills, discussion of current research and methodology.

Biopsychosocial Aspects of Human Behaviour

The course objectives are to make the student aware of pertinent gross and microscopic human neuroanatomy, to build a foundational understanding of neurophysiology and the biology of the nerve, and to become familiar with a variety of Behavioural issues as they relate to neurophysiology. Areas of emphasis will include attention, memory, knowledge, language, reasoning, problem solving, the cognitive bases of affect and consciousness, human learning, and theories of motivation.

Contemporary Issues in Cultural Sport Psychology

This course examines the historical, social, and cultural factors influencing sport and physical activity. Pertinent cultural issues, theories, and research applications will be considered in the scholarly pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the sociological influences on sport, exercise, and physical activity.

Advanced Techniques in Sport and Human Performance

Advanced Techniques is a course designed to provide opportunities for students to develop psychological interventions for performance enhancement. Students will engage in the scientist-practitioner model and begin to acquire and implement psychological skills training for athletes and performing populations such as goal-setting, visualization, positive and productive self-talk, confidence, and arousal management for optimal human performance development.

Counselling Skills

This course teaches basic relationship and Counselling skills using role-plays and other experiential activities. The course covers basic Counselling skills (e.g., attending, active listening, building rapport), intake interviewing, and self-reflection/self-assessment procedures.

Diagnosis Maladaptive Behaviour

This course provides an overview of the major disorders in the current edition of the DSM. A range of mental disorders from adjustment disorders to serious psychopathologies will be discussed.

Counselling Multicultural Communities

This course is designed to provide a basic foundation of knowledge, awareness, and skills needed for providing more effective Counselling services in a multicultural society.

Group Counselling

This course introduces students to theory and principles of group dynamics as well as developmental stages of groups. In addition, group members’ roles and behaviors and therapeutic factors of group work will be discussed.

Research and Programme Evaluation

This course is a master’s-level introduction to research methods and Programme evaluation as it pertains to the field of professional Counselling. Major research designs including both quantitative and qualitative methods will be explored.

FIELD TRAINING + SEMINARS

Designed to contribute to a student’s knowledge, skills, and values in scholarship and its importance to the Practise of Science in Sport and Human Performance.

Sport and Human Performance Externship and Seminar I

Externship field placement includes delivery of mental performance services under the mentorship of a mental performance consultant who is certified by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. The field experience is paired with a seminar during which students receive feedback from a CMPC and may also include a peer consultation model to develop skills related to mental skills training and their professional development as practitioners.

Sport and Human Performance Externship and Seminar II

Externship field placement includes delivery of mental skills training services under the mentorship of a mental performance consultant who is certified by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. The field experience is paired with a seminar during which students receive feedback from the CMPC and may also include a peer consultation model to develop skills related to mental skills training and their professional development as practitioners.

Sport and Human Performance Externship and Seminar III

Externship field placement includes delivery of mental skills training services under the mentorship of a mental performance consultant who is certified by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. The field experience is paired with a seminar during which students receive feedback from the CMPC and may also include a peer consultation model to develop skills related to mental skills training and their professional development as practitioners.

Continuation in Sport Externship

Should students be able to acquire all 400 hours during their externship series, they need to register for MSHP 687: Continuation in Sport Externship in every and any semester for which they are still enrolled as a student at Adler University if they will continue working with athletes/coaches/performers as they are unable to apply for the CMPCO credential until their degree has been conferred.

Sport and Human Performance Externship and Seminar IV

Students may register for MSHP 689: Sport and Human Performance Externship and Seminar IV in every and any semester for which they are still enrolled as a student at Adler University. This course is for those students who have completed their externship series (MSHP 681, MSHP 683, and MSHP 685) and are still accumulating hours toward certification as a mental performance consultant.

ADLER SOCIAL INTEREST PRACTICUM

Your opportunity to create lasting change on local and global systems, almost from day 1.

The Adler Social Interest Practicum (ASIP) at Adler University is a first-year non-clinical, community-based experience that reflects Alfred Adler’s concept of social interest. The practicum places students with mission-driven organizations where they complete a minimum of 200 approved hours across two semesters, typically 8–10 hours per week. Alongside their placements, students participate in required workshops. Each practicum is evaluated through midterm and final supervisor reviews, student self-assessments, and feedback on the site and project, with grades of High Pass, Pass, Remediation, or Fail. The experience culminates in a campus-wide presentation of outcomes, assessed by multiple evaluators, offering students both applied training and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful community change.

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“Adler’s sport and human performance master’s Programme is the trifecta of training in performance, well-being, and social responsibility.”

– Teresa Fletcher, Ph.D.
Programme Director
Meet Dr. Fletcher

Faculty

Meet the faculty leading Adler’s Master of Science in Sport + Human Performance Programme in Chicago.

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