Sport and Exercise Psychology, Ph.D.
The Ph.D. degree with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology (SEP) is primarily intended to prepare individuals as academic researchers and faculty members in the areas of sport and exercise psychology. There are no clinical or applied sport psychology training opportunities offered within this program.
SEP integrates theory, research, and practice, and includes the study of cognitive, emotional, psychophysiological, and social factors that influence sport and exercise behaviors as well as the effects of physical activity on psychological factors. Ph.D. students in SEP typically come from Kinesiology or Psychology master’s programs and come to UNCG to learn how to enhance human development and functioning by acquiring cutting edge knowledge in the area of SEP.
The Student Experience
- Ph.D. students specializing in SEP work closely with a faculty mentor.
- Their research interests should closely align with that of the faculty member.
- Candidates are strongly encouraged to reach out to prospective faculty mentors to determine if they are accepting Ph.D. students for the upcoming cycle, ask about their current research projects, and determine if they would be an overall good fit.
- The Sport and Exercise Psychology Laboratories are available to graduate students.
- These consist of several smaller spaces dedicated to each faculty member’s specific research agenda. These spaces complement the department’s larger laboratory spaces, which are available for SEP research as well as for collaborative, interdisciplinary projects.
- Faculty in SEP have ongoing collaborations with subdisciplines in Kinesiology, with other departments, institutes, and centers across campus.
AFTER GRADUATION
Our graduates typically pursue careers as academics who conduct research and train students to be future professionals in the field of Kinesiology.