A doctorate in physical education in sport and exercise psychology serves to further illuminate the humanics philosophy of Springfield College. Integral to the philosophy is the integration of the spirit, mind, and body, the whole person, for leadership in service to humanity. Sport and exercise psychology is a sub-discipline of the sport sciences/physical education and as such provides the student an opportunity to examine the integrated mind/body responses in an exercise and sport context.

Students in the program would, then, gain an understanding of the scientific, sociological, psychological, and research bases of sport, as is necessary in working with athletes in a performance enhancement context. A Ph.D. degree is suggested for certification in the field. Upon successful completion of the program, students may seek certification through the organizations for sport psychology, The Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), in conjunction with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), and the American Psychology Association (APA).

Graduates of the sport and exercise psychology Ph.D. program will be prepared primarily to teach sport and exercise psychology at all educational levels and teach in the areas of sociology and philosophy of sport. Graduates will be prepared to contribute to the current knowledge base of the field by continuing research in sport and exercise psychology, and will be qualified to work as a sport psychology consultant at all levels for athletes, athletic departments, coaches, exercise and fitness programs, and national governing bodies (NGB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as well as the USOC.

Program of Study

Sport and Exercise Psychology. This is the student’s field of professional specialization. Course work in sport and exercise psychology, applied sport and exercise psychology, sport psychometrics, and special seminars in sport and exercise psychology is included in the student’s program of study.

Related Course Work. Course requirements are included to support and supplement the specialization in sport and exercise psychology and include, but are not limited to, course work related to philosophy, sociology, physiology of sport, motor learning and control, motor development, psychopathology, and issues and techniques in counseling. The program includes course work in pedagogical content knowledge and issues in higher education designed to prepare Ph.D. students for entry to a higher education teaching career.

Research. Theory and practice in research are to include problems of logical thinking, the scientific method, and techniques of research, as well as original research, the doctoral dissertation, conducted under faculty supervision. The dissertation is the capstone experience of doctoral study. The problem selected to study should grow out of the candidate’s personal and professional interests. The dissertation may be an original contribution to knowledge or an original application of existing knowledge to the solution of a practical problem in the field.

General Education. Consistent with its philosophy of education, Springfield College is concerned in the entire educational program, both undergraduate and graduate, not only with a student’s thorough preparation in the field of professional specialization, but also with liberal education, personal growth, and awareness of the surrounding society.  Consequently, a series of nonprofessional courses is included as an integral part of the program of the Ph.D. student to help in the attainment of breadth in development as a sensitive and growing individual, as a sophisticated, contributing citizen, and as an educator with wide interests and goals.

The allocation of semester hours of credit in the five areas is as follows: