What will I learn in a sports psychology degree or training program?
A degree or training program in sports psychology is aiming to teach you about what goes on in the minds of sportsmen and athletes. This is quite different from the physical training that athletes go through, the learning to run faster, jump higher. Rather, it's about the stresses and strains on the mind that this training can produce, both in the individual and their competitors. Knowing about these of course it is then possible to take the appropriate actions to reduce them. There are also other more positive techniques that can be taught, things like envisioning goals and so on. Just as an example, golfers sometimes get something called the “yips”. They know what they should be doing, they could do it yesterday, but just can't today: that's all in the mind and sports psychology is about identiofying and then treating these things.
What will a degree or training course in sports psychology qualify me to do?
If you're intending to be a professional athlete or sportsman then obviously such a degree or training program will be extremely useful. But the most usual careers for you would be as a coach or sports trainer (both pay and average of about $26,000) where you could put your knowledge to good use. Another fast growing profession is as a personal or fitness trainer ($25,500).
