Campus News

UK offers new undergraduate certificate in sport, exercise and performance psychology

Students studying Sport and Exercise Psychology meet at the Gatton Student Center. Photo by Beth Goins.
Students studying Sport and Exercise Psychology meet at the Gatton Student Center. Photo by Beth Goins.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 21, 2024) —​ In a unique offering among U.S. universities, the University of Kentucky is launching an undergraduate certificate in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology. The certificate program, housed in the UK College of Education Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, allows students to explore the mental factors that influence performance.  

The 15-hour certificate includes an introduction to counseling skills and a look at the psychology and sociology of physical activity and sport. Students will gain foundational knowledge that can enhance their readiness for diverse careers or advanced studies in the field. The program is ideal for: 

  • students who plan to work in a variety of careers where an understanding of sport, exercise and performance psychology can be applicable, such as coaching, physical therapy, sports medicine, sports communication, physical education, sport leadership and many others; or 

  • students interested in pursuing a graduate degree for a career in sport, exercise and performance psychology. 

The broad foundation of knowledge offered in this certificate is not typically available at the undergraduate level, said Ashley Samson, Ph.D., director of the undergraduate certificate. 

“Many students could benefit from completing this certificate, whether they want to be more competitive for graduate program admission in this field or they want to work in another area where it would be beneficial to have an understanding of the relationship between mental factors and human performance,” Samson said. 

Sport, exercise and performance psychology is a quickly growing, interdisciplinary field that explores the relationship between various psychological factors and participation in sport and/or performance settings. Professionals in this field often help clients with focus, emotional regulation, anxiety, team cohesion, motivation, managing expectations and even the psychological aspects of injury and rehabilitation.  

We may help an athlete through difficulties known as a ‘slump’ or help them develop the skills to prevent slumps from ever happening. By making athletes aware of the importance of mental factors, we can hopefully help them understand they have control over the way they think, and therefore, how they perform,” said Marc Cormier, Ph.D., director of the Sport and Exercise Psychology graduate program housed in the UK College of Education Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, and director of Counseling and Sport Psychology Services in UK Athletics. 

For more information about pursuing the undergraduate certificate, contact UK College of Education undergraduate recruitment director Jenna Demastes at jenna.demastes@uky.edu. 

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.