Sport Psychologist
What is Sport psychology?
Taken from Prospects
Sports psychologists primarily work with athletes, coaches and referees, from amateur to elite-level. Their work is centred on how psychology influences sport and how it can improve performance. Their aim is to prepare sporting professionals for the demands of their job, such as competition and training. For example, a sports psychologist could help a referee cope with the stressful aspects of their role or counsel athletes to successfully deal with the consequences of sustaining an injury.
Exercise psychologists, on the other hand, typically work with the general public to increase motivation and participation in exercise. The driving force behind their work is health and wellbeing not performance.
Degree options
To qualify as a practising sport and exercise psychologist you'll need to complete:
a degree in psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) leading to the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC)
a BPS-accredited MSc in sport and exercise psychology
Stage 2 of the BPS Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (QSEP) (two years of supervised practice).
Once you've completed Stage 2 of the BPS QSEP you will be eligible for registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and can use the title 'sport and exercise psychologist'.
If you have a degree in a subject other than psychology, you may be able to gain eligibility for GBC by taking a BPS-accredited conversion course, which usually takes one year full time or two years part time. For details of approved courses see BPS - Find an accredited course.
Entry with an HND or foundation degree only is not possible.
Entry on to a Masters course is competitive and you'll normally be expected to have at least a 2:1. Graduates with a 2:2 who also have a research-based higher qualification may be accepted. Before applying, check that your course is approved by the HCPC (see the HCPC register of approved programmes).
Once you've completed the Masters course, you'll also need two years' supervised practice before you can register with the HCPC.
If you want to lecture in sport and exercise psychology, you'll need to follow a career in research. A PhD in sport and exercise is usually required.
For more information :
https://www.bases.org.uk/sspage-students-undergraduate_courses-choosing_a_course.html
Employers
Look for job vacancies at:
Jobs.ac.uk - for teaching and research posts.
Some sport psychologists work as private consultants or work full time for professional sports teams or national governing bodies of sport.
Most, however, combine consultancy work with teaching and research within universities or colleges throughout the UK and abroad, or work in other areas of psychology, for example clinical or occupational.
Similarly, exercise psychologists tend to combine consultancy with teaching and research. Your work might see you involved in GP exercise referral, cardiac rehabilitation schemes or work within the NHS or private healthcare providers.
You may get involved with setting up exercise and health programmes in prisons or for staff in the workplace as well as in psychiatric settings.
Taken from prospects