mySCweb | Directions | Directory

You Are Here: Home > The School of Arts, Sciences & Professional Studies > The Psychology Department > Athletic Counseling > Athletic Counseling Plan of Study

Athletic Counseling Plan of Study

The plan of study requires a minimum of 48 semester hours and is developed with a major advisor. These plans of study are intended to meet the personal and professional goals of the student and culminate in either a Masters of Science (thesis required) or a Masters of Education (comprehensive exam required) degree. A program leading to a Certificate of Advanced Study is also available to students who have completed a master's degree in an appropriate field. The CAS requires a minimum of 32 semester hours beyond a master's degree.

Students in the Athletic Counseling Program meets once a week for Research Team. The team discusses recent student and faculty research and gets involved with all aspects of the research process from conceptualization of research hypotheses, to research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Research Team members are encouraged to attend professional conferences and to create and present research projects. Each member is given the opportunity to share their concerns and beliefs to better understand various aspects of research.

Athletic Counseling Courses with Course Descriptions

AEXS 675: Stress Management

The course covers the concept, source, symptoms, and related disorders of stress and tension. Emphasis is given to the holistic approach to the program management including social, psychological, and physical techniques applicable to the educational, sports, agency and corporate settings.

PSYC 545: Imagery, Hypnosis, and Self-Hypnosis

This course examines the historical development, theories, techniques, and research in the application of imagery and hypnosis. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the utilization of those techniques as a tool in the human helping profession. Topics covered include mind/body relationship, healing and pain management, neurolinguistic programming, criminal investigation, sport skill enhancement, and ethical and legal considerations.

PSYC 570: Psychology of the College Age Adult

Covering ages 17 through 25, this course deals with psychological and social development in this critical period. Principal dimensions of and conditions influencing development are examined. Relevant research findings are related to the student’s current circumstance and stage development.

PSYC: 686: Fieldwork/Internship and Seminar

Supervision field experience is considered to be an integral part of preparation for professional activity. The specific nature of the fieldwork/internship experience varies with the sub-major and goals of the student and approved by the respective graduate program director. Students receive regular supervision from competent professionals in the field and attend weekly fieldwork/internship seminar with the director of the student’s sub-major. Each semester hour of credit is based on fifty clock hours of fieldwork/internship plus weekly one and one half hour seminar. The minimum number of credits required varies with sub-major.

PSYC 654: Issues and Techniques in Athletic Counseling

This course examines current counseling strategies used with members of sport teams at high school, college, and professional levels. Participants explore current research in three main area: motivation and skill development; psychological development; career maturity. Class demonstrations, counseling experiences, and field visits are designed to enhance learning.

PSYC 656: Life Skills Programming for Student-Athletes

This course offers students an overview of various life skills (i.e., career development, study skills, goal setting, time management, health, values clarification, etc.) Students are introduced to teaching skills and methods. They are given opportunities to do presentations on topics of their interest so that they may teach or offer workshops on life skills to student-athletes.

PSYC 657: Professional Studies in Athletic Counseling

This course is designed to prepare athletic counseling students for the roles as professionals in the field. Areas of study include professional ethics, record keeping, NCAA guidelines working as part of an interdisciplinary team, and legal issues.

PSYC 672: Laboratory in Counseling Athletes

This course is designed for athletic counseling students who wish to improve their career development, counseling, and skill building techniques with athletes. Participants have an opportunity to practice contingency planning, imagery, and other strategies to enhance their effectiveness in counseling this unique population.

PSYC 674: Counseling For Enhanced Performance

This course focuses on the psychological skills, methods, and strategies that are typically used by performance enhancement consultants for groups and individuals in business, personal development, sport, and other domains. This course covers underlying theories of interventions and specific applications of techniques to improve performance. Students have opportunities to practice specific performance enhancement techniques. The course is conducted as a seminar, emphasizing participant interactions and cooperative learning.

Note: Students take additional elective courses to earn their degrees.

Checklists

• AASP Certification Checklist.pdf
• AC Checklist.pdf