Bachelor of Science in Sports Psychology in Alabama

A soccer coach looks at a tablet

A sports psychology degree provides a flexible pathway to a variety of fulfilling careers for those who love sports and fitness. At Faulkner University, students who prefer a traditional learning environment have a choice of campus locations for obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Psychology, with programs in Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile. A fully online sports psychology degree program is also available, as well as hybrid options that combine both online learning and on-campus settings. Gain the confidence and expertise you need for an exciting career in sports psychology at our Christian liberal arts university in Alabama.

Sports Psychology Degree Career Paths

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Psychology, students are prepared for careers in athletics, medical research, health care, education, and the fitness industry. Additional opportunities exist in the performing arts and providing care for a variety of populations, including the aging, people living with disabilities, military veterans, and people in prison.

Here are just a few job titles held by our graduates:

  • Physical rehabilitation assistant
  • High school athletic counselor
  • Head or assistant coach
  • Training team member
  • High school academic advisor
  • Exercise program assistant

Sports Psychology Degree Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Psychology requires a total of 121 course hours. With many electives available in our undergraduate catalog, it is possible to customize the degree program to reflect students’ interests and career goals. With a bachelor’s degree, graduates are prepared to pursue advanced degrees in psychology, such as a master’s degree or doctorate in sport and performance psychology.

Core Curriculum (50 hours)

  • Christian Literacy: 18 hours
    • Biblical Worldview I: 3 hours
    • Biblical Worldview II: 3 hours
    • Understanding the Biblical Literature: 3 hours
    • Christian Ethics: 3 hours
    • Marriage & Family: 3 hours
    • Christian Cultural Heritage: 3 hours
  • Cultural Heritage Literacy: 9 hours
    • Western Tradition I or Great Books III: 3 hours
    • Western Tradition II or Great Books IV: 3 hours
    • American Cultural Heritage: 3 hours
  • Mathematical and Scientific Literacy: (7 hours)
    • Finite Mathematics or higher match: 3 hours
    • Perspectives of Biology/Lab: 4 hours
  • Information and Communication Literacy: 9 hours
    • English Composition I or Great Books I: 3 hours
    • English Composition II or Great Books II: 3 hours
    • Literature Requirement: (Choose one of the following)
      • EH2301, EH2303, EH 2304, GB 3301: 3 hours
    • Personal and Social Literacy: 9 hours
      • Lifetime Fitness: 3 hours
      • Faulkner Foundations: 1 hour
      • Introduction to Psychology: 3 hours
    • Professional Literacy: 53 hours
    • Departmental Major Field Requirements: 29 hours
      • Introduction to Counseling: 3 hours
      • Seminar-Foundations in Psychology: 1 hour
      • Seminar-Special Topics in Psychology: 1 hour
      • Seminar-Readings in Psychology: 1 hour
      • Seminar-Senior Seminar in Psychology: 1 hour
      • Developmental Psychology: 3 hours
      • Behavioral Statistics: 3 hours
      • Research Methods Lab: 1 hour
      • Research Methods: 3 hours
      • Social Psychology: 3 hours
      • Psychology of Religion & Spirituality: 3 hours
      • Internship: 3 hours
      • Capstone Research Project: 3 hours
    • Sports Psychology Degree Requirements: 12 hours
      • Theories of Human System Dynamics: 3 hours
      • Sports Psychology: 3 hours
      • Physiological Psychology: 3 hours
      • Psychology of Leadership and Motivation: 3 hours
    • Sports Psychology Electives (Choose any four): 12 hours
      • Drugs and Society
      • Counseling Skills
      • Substance Abuse
      • Conflict Management
      • Group Dynamics
      • Behavior Modification Theories
      • Health and Rehabilitation Psychology
      • Performance Management and Appraisal
      • Industrial-Organizational Psychology
      • Individual and Dual Sports
      • Team and Recreational Sports
      • Kinesiology
      • Health Education
      • Motor Learning
      • Physiology of Exercise
      • Prevention & Treatment of Athletic Injuries I
      • Theory & Practice of Personal Training
      • Group Fitness theory and Practice
      • (or another related course approved by advisor)
    • Electives: 18 hours
      • Free Electives (any advisor-approved courses or transfers)

Extracurricular Programs for Sports Psychology Majors

Students can join the Faulkner University Psychology Club, where advisors and students learn about new developments in the field and network with psychology professionals. More information is available on the group’s Facebook page.

Students who meet the academic requirements may be eligible for lifetime membership in the Psi-Chi Honor Society, a professional organization with a chapter at Faulkner University.

Prepare for Careers in Sports Psychology at Faulkner University

Take your love of sports and fitness to the next level in a career that allows you to help sports teams and individual athletes, as well as people from all walks of life. Learn about motivation, mental health, and coaching techniques and find out where you fit in the exciting field of sports psychology. Whether you choose a program on-campus, online, or a hybrid of the two, you will be welcomed to a community based on Christian faith and values. Want to find out more about Faulkner University in Alabama? Apply now or request more information today.