MA in Sport and Exercise Psychology

Course Leader

Gerry Fitzpatrick

Aims of the course

The overall aim of the course is to educate specialists in the field of Applied Sport Psychology. Graduates will have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to work in the area of enhancing sports performance, sports participation and best practice at a variety of age and performance levels. Graduates will have the ability to further the psychological development of athletes, coaches, teachers and other specialists from a broad-based, sound theoretical and applied course.

The MA in Sport and Exercise Psychology has been designed to bridge the gap in the culture of Irish sport at all levels of development from introducing children to sport to elite performance. Until now there has been an absence of opportunities for athletes, coaches, Physical Education teachers, Sports Science Graduates, Sports Leaders, Sports Development Officers, Volunteers and Exercise Specialists to upgrade knowledge and develop applied skills in the area of Sport Psychology.

A taught MA offers graduates of sports science, recreation, physical education and psychology a pathway towards enhancing their professional development within the sports environment and conduct research through The Centre for Sport and Exercise Psychology, based in WIT.

Direction of the MA

A key element of the MA in Sport and Exercise Psychology is providing the graduate with an in-depth and comprehensive course of study in the area of applied Sport Psychology that will enable him or her:

• Consult with athletes and teams with a view to providing psychological skills training appropriate to the individual and commensurate with their level of participation.
• Organise and operate workshops for coaches, teachers and exercise specialist in aspects of Sport Psychology.
• Develop his or her own coaching, teaching, or playing abilities.
• Provide sports guidance for athletes and coaches at a level appropriate to issues of performance enhancement, competition, lifestyle management, retirement and retainment.
• Plan and conduct research in sport psychology in conjunction with The Centre for Sport and Exercise Psychology.
• Guide and advise clubs, schools, coaches, parents and athletes in the application of Sport Psychology theories and practices and assist National Governing Bodies in the area of planning and implementing policy relating to participation, performance and periodisation of the training from a psychological perspective.
• Provide an arena for sports people to engage in reflective assessment of their involvement sports and future developments.

Course Duration and Content

The duration of the course is three semesters including residential weeks. Key module areas of study include:

• Sport Psychology Applications
• Exercise Psychology
• Mental Training for Sport
• Social Psychology
• Research Methods

Semester times will be Sept-Dec; Jan-May; Sept-Dec with the last semester consisting of two residential weeks and meetings with thesis advisor.

Entry to this course

An honours degree in Recreation and Sport, Physical Education and Sports Science or equivalent is required. Alternatively, an honours degree in Psychology and a level of significant performance and/or coaching experience in sport accompanied by necessary qualifications to be determined by interview. Accreditation may be given to prior learning and previous sporting experience. 

WIT wishes to carefully evaluate applications from non-standard applicants. A bridging studies programme of 40 hours is required where applicant's undergraduate qualification or required experience in the area of sport and/or psychology is deemed to require a bridging course. The number of places available on the course will be limited therefore an interview process may be required in the student selection procedure.

Applications:

All applications proccessed through online facility at http://www.pac.ie

For further information

Please contact Mr. Gerry Fitzpatrick - gfitzpatrick@wit.ie

or Ms. Ciara Losty - closty@wit.ie

MA in Sport and Exercise Psychology Leaflet
(PDF, 603KB)