Program Overview
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Sport and Human Performance provides students with a comprehensive foundation in theories and methods of performance enhancement. This program promotes the best practices within the field of sport psychology coupled with Adler University’s emphasis on socially responsible practice.
We offer specialized courses in sport psychology and externship opportunities to promote certification with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Students can gain practical experience to be eligible for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential upon graduation.
Graduates are prepared for careers in a wide range of settings, from youth and professional sports, to government agencies and private practice.
This program also allows students to add on a Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling for an additional 12 credits of coursework.
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Student Outcomes
Students have the opportunity to accumulate 400 hours in various sport environments with athletes, teams, and coaches, and may spend up to 15 months at sites around the Chicago area to accumulate hours necessary for CMPC certification.
Careers in Sports Psychology & Human Performance
Graduates of the program go on to work in various settings including:
- Youth sport academies & clubs
- Professional sport organizations
- Coaching
- NCAA Division I, I, and III athletic departments
- Military and TRICARE system
- Government agencies
- Private practice
Gain the knowledge and skills to create real change with small, collaborative classes taught by leading practitioners and scholars in the field of sport psychology. Our diverse faculty brings together classroom learning with individualized mentorship and hands-on professional experience.
Students will have the opportunity to accumulate 400 hours in various sport environments with athletes, teams, and coaches. Students may spend up to 15 months at sites around the Chicago area to gain a wealth of knowledge and experience and accumulate hours necessary for CMPC certification.
Graduate Spotlight
Piotr Piasecki, graduate
Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance
Piotr Piasecki, and his classmates in the Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance program in Chicago, use their focus on sport and health psychology to advocate for social justice in the sport field. Piasecki shares his thoughts on the U.S. Women’s National Team’s fight for gender equality and equal pay.
Dual Degree
The Chicago campus of Adler University has developed dual degree programs to allow students the opportunity to pursue degrees in two different fields of study simultaneously. Dual degrees provide students the opportunity to combine two skill sets and increase networks and career opportunities. Students in dual degree programs may have a limited number of credit hours dually recognized toward the requirements of both degrees.
M.S. Sport & Human Performance / M.A. Rehabilitation Counseling
Stand out in the job market with a unique dual degree that offers training in rehabilitation counseling and sport psychology—all with a focus on social justice. Our Master of Arts in Counseling: Specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling program prepares clinicians to improve quality of life for individuals who face physical, developmental, and emotional challenges. Trained to confront systemic barriers and increase opportunities for inclusion, our graduates are well-equipped to empower populations such as the elderly, veterans, and people with disabilities in a wide range of settings.
Our innovative program is also accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP), which recognizes programs that meet or exceed the highest standards for counselor preparation. With a comprehensive theoretical curriculum and supervised clinical field experiences, we excel at preparing clinicians for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination and careers in counseling, case management, and advocacy.
M.S. Sport & Human Performance / M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Adler University’s unique M.S. Sport & Human Performance / M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling dual degree program prepares graduates to work with a range of clients who struggle with everything from chronic mental illness to achieving peak performance and utilizing the sport platform to promote social justice. This unique Dual Degree program provides students a comprehensive foundation in clinical mental health counseling as well as mental skills training that leads to psychological well-being and optimal performance allowing for a range of dynamic career paths.
Certification
Faculty members are active in their respective areas of expertise and engage with students to promote opportunities for professional development in the field as well as at state, regional and national conferences.
AASP Certification
We offer specialized courses in sport psychology and externship opportunities to promote certification with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
CMPC Credential
Students can gain practical experience to be eligible for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential once they complete this program.
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance is a 38-credit hour program requires the successful completion of the following:
Find course descriptions and more information in the Adler University Course Catalog.
Core Courses in Sport Psychology & Human Performance
This course provides a foundation for the ethical practice of professional counseling. It introduces students to the history of the counseling profession as well as professional roles (practitioner, supervisor, educator, etc.) and professional organizations.
This course teaches basic relationship and counseling skills using role-plays and other experiential activities. The course covers basic counseling skills (e.g., attending, active listening, building rapport), intake interviewing, and self-reflection/self-assessment procedures.
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.
This course is designed to provide a basic foundation of knowledge, awareness, and skills needed for providing more effective counseling services in a multicultural society.
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.
This course is a master’s-level introduction to research methods and program evaluation as it pertains to the field of professional counseling. Major research designs including both quantitative and qualitative methods will be explored.
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-behavioral 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).
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 behavioral 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.
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 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.
Field Training and Seminars
The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) is a first-year, nonclinical and non-discipline-specific experiential practicum that begins in the fall term. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to utilize collective power and social justice strategies to build a more equitable society. The SJP is designed to help students learn how to work alongside different communities as agents of social change and serves as the catalyst for students to realize and understand their own strengths and responsibility to contribute to social equity.
The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) is a first-year, nonclinical and non-discipline-specific experiential practicum that continues through the spring term. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to utilize collective power and social justice strategies to build a more equitable society. The SJP is designed to help students learn how to work alongside different communities as agents of social change and serves as the catalyst for students to realize and understand their own strengths and responsibility to contribute to social equity.
Externship field placement includes delivery of sport and human performance services under the mentorship of a sport psychology consultant (CMPC) who is certified by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). The field experience is paired with a seminar during which students utilize a peer consultation model to develop skills related to sport and health psychology and professional development.
The second term of externship field placement includes delivery of sport and human performance services under the mentorship of a sport psychology consultant who is certified by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (CMPC). The field experience is paired with a seminar during which students utilize a peer consultation model to develop skills related to sport and health psychology and professional development.
The third term of externship field placement includes delivery of sport and human performance services under the mentorship of a sport psychology consultant who is certified by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (CMPC). The field experience is paired with a seminar during which students utilize a peer consultation model to develop skills related to sport and health psychology and professional development.
Students are required to register for this course to continue to accumulate hours towards certification as a mental performance consultant beyond externship III. This seminar will continue to provide students with support, faculty mentorship, and peer consultation opportunities.
Electives (One of the Following)
Students are required to take an elective of three credit hours. If students do not have an upper-level undergraduate kinesiology course (e.g., motor learning, exercise physiology, biomechanics; as required by standard K3 Sport Science for the CMPC credential), students are encouraged to take MSHP 560 – Motor Learning & Skill Acquisition Performance: Psychology of Coaching as their elective.
This course is designed to help students understand the theories and principles explaining the performance and learning of skilled actions. Emphasis will be placed on the consideration of how factors related to the learner, the task, and the performance context influence instructional decisions.
The course covers essential knowledge and skills necessary for professionals to begin to specialize within the field of sport and human performance. Students will be able to develop skills specific to special populations and engage in workshop development, create marketing plans and advertising strategies.
Social Justice Practicum
200-hour internship to give students real world experience
A unique and proven program designed to give students real world experience throughout their time at Adler University, the Social Justice Practicum is a required 200-hour internship that spans four courses (or terms for online programs). Every student is given a number of civic-minded categories to choose from. They submit their desired areas of interest. After which, they are assigned a specific and aligned community outreach site where they will work 8 to 10 hours per week.
Faculty Spotlight
Teresa Fletcher, Ph.D.
Program Director, Sport & Human Performance
I am fortunate to have found the Sport and Health program. Adler University, as it incorporates the perfect combination of clinical mental health counseling and sport psychology. I have spent my life and career preparing for the opportunity to share my passion and unique combination of knowledge and experience to train and develop future clinicians and mental performance consultants.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions 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.
- Approved applicants will be invited for an interview with faculty.
Applicants are required to submit the following items to be considered for admission:
- Application and application fee
- Statement of Intent (2-3 pages, double-spaced) answering the following questions:
- Why are you interested in your chosen field and program?
- Why is Adler University’s program a good fit for you?
- Adler University mission is based on social justice. Share your perspective of social justice.
- What are your career goals and interests?
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended (U.S and Canada)
- Please have official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions
- Unofficial transcripts may be accepted for any schools in which a degree was not
received - International transcripts must be evaluated by a transcript evaluation service
- Two letters of recommendation
- These should be from someone who can specifically speak to your academic and professional abilities
Approved applicants will be invited to complete an interview with faculty.
Please submit all application materials including official transcripts to the Office of Admissions prior to the application deadline.
Adler University – Office of Admissions
17 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Official electronic transcripts should be sent to [email protected].
Tuition & Fees
Tuition for Adler University’s programs is charged each term according to the number of registered academic credits. The number of credits a student will register for varies by academic program and by term. To estimate the amount of tuition and fees that would be charged in a given term, please use our Tuition Estimator tool below, or read about tuition and fees for all Chicago programs.