2026-2027 Graduate Catalog

https://www.uwgb.edu/sport-psych/

The master's program in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology at UW-Green Bay is designed to fulfill the needs of students who would like to have a master's degree as their final degree as well as those who would like to pursue a doctoral degree in the future. The program is housed in the Psychology Department, which has multiple faculty specialized in various areas: counseling psychology, developmental psychology, neuroscience, aging, school psychology, social psychology, health psychology, etc. Information and contact information for the SEPP faculty can be found on the SEPP Contact Us Page.

Here are the main features of the program:

• It has two tracks:
  • Applied: Prepares students to work in applied sport, exercise, and/or performance psychology careers, providing foundation courses and practicum opportunities to progress toward becoming Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC). (39 credit hours)
  • Course-based: Equips students with knowledge and skills in mental performance that can be applied to careers with performance-oriented individuals. Provides opportunity for foundation courses aligned with the Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) and individualized coursework in areas like coaching, leadership, and group facilitation. (39 credit hours)
• The program learning outcomes are in line with the knowledge areas and tasks identified by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) as central for competent work in SEPP.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Professional Ethics and Knowledge
   • Integrate their practice ethics and standards related to professional practice.
   • Demonstrate techniques to develop rapport with clients, to explain their professional roles, and to adjust expectations of clients.
   • Identify ethical and legal issues related to professional activities.
   • Apply strategies to evaluate and resolve ethical and legal dilemmas, as well as decision making in the professional practice.
2. Sport Psychology
   • Demonstrate understanding of theoretical foundation of the psychological processes that influence human performance in athletic settings.
   • Identify and apply psychological techniques and strategies to enhance performance in sport and other domains (e.g. performing arts, military).
   • Evaluate research in sport psychology and psychological factors related to performance and participation in sport and exercise settings.
   • Evaluate the needs of clients and plan interventions based on this evaluation.
   • Choose and apply sport psychology theories and research that best fit different performance and exercise psychology cases.
3. Sport Science
   • Define, distinguish, and assess physiological principles relevant to the effect of exercise on human functioning and performance.
   • Identify motor control processes and mechanisms underlying the learning and performance of motor skills.
   • Integrate sociocultural perspectives on sport (e.g., gender, race, economics, politics).
   • Explain historical foundations and philosophical questions related to the development of sport and physical activity programs.
4. Psychopathology
   • Identify and distinguish abnormal human behavior.
   • Assess clients for psychopathology.
   • Apply etiology of mental disorders in working with clients.
   • Identify and implement strategies that ameliorate psychopathology symptoms.
5. Helping Relationships
   • Demonstrate understanding of counseling theories.
   • Develop a professional philosophy based on their theoretical approach to working with performers and exercisers.
   • Implement skills to successfully interact with clients, such as listening, interviewing, assessment, and counseling/consulting skills.
   • Engage in supervised practice of sport, exercise, and performance psychology.
6. Research Methods and Statistics
   • Demonstrate understanding of research methods and design.
   • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of tests and measurements.
   • Execute and interpret basic and advanced data analyses.
   • Engage in ethical implementation of research and program evaluation.
7. Psychological Foundations of Behavior
   • Apply principles of theories of cognition and affect to influence behavior.
   • Assess the influences of social aspects (e.g., group processes, persuasion) on performance and well-being.
   • Utilize knowledge of theories of personality to assess individual differences and human lifespan development.
   • Apply concepts of positive psychology (e.g., mindfulness, flow, grit) to the improvement of performance and well-being.
8. Diversity and Culture
   • Demonstrate knowledge of conceptual frameworks for sociopolitical and cultural factors that impact human behavior.
   • Assess the dimensions of personal identity and individual differences (e.g., race, ethnicity, sexual orientation) and how they may influence the professional relationship.
   • Identify and implement intervention strategies for addressing the needs of individuals from unique racial/ethnic background, religious affiliations, gender identity, etc.
   • Integrate culturally competent approaches to consultation with performers and exercisers.
9. Communication, Psychological Literacy, and Technology Skills 
   • Interact effectively with others.
   • Write and present effectively for different purposes.
   • Provide evidence of psychological literacy.
   • Exhibit appropriate technological skills to improve communication and literacy.

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Applied Track

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Required Culminating Project:

In their last semester of study, Applied Track students will complete a culminating project (in PSYCH 788 and at the end of the year SEPP event) that requires students to reflect on SEPP related milestone learning/knowledge experiences. The culminating project paper will be completed in PSYCH 788 and the culminating project presentation will be presented at the end of the year SEPP event. The culminating project is a SEPP degree requirement. 

Course-Based Track

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Required Culminating Project Process:

In their last semester of study, Course-based Track students will complete a culminating project (in PSYCH 790 and at the end of the year SEPP event) that requires students to reflect on SEPP related milestone learning/knowledge experiences. The culminating project paper will be completed in PSYCH 790 and the culminating project presentation will be presented at the end of the year SEPP event. The culminating project is a SEPP degree requirement.