COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science degree in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology (SEPP) is designed to prepare students for careers that combine sport, exercise, and psychology by providing an in-depth understanding of the mental and emotional aspects of human performance. This program focuses on the psychological processes that influence athletes, performers, and individuals engaged in physical activity, with an emphasis on social, emotional, and cognitive factors that affect performance outcomes.Students complete a series of major courses that cover topics such as lifespan motor development, the psychology of coaching, stress recognition and management, exercise psychology, and psychological aspects of sport injury. Advanced courses explore motivation, high performance athletes, psychosocial perspectives in youth sport, principles and applications of sport psychology, and sport performance interventions. Practical experience is emphasized through a practicum in sport performance, allowing students to apply psychological theories and strategies in real-world settings. Courses in sport administration, including ethics, leadership, and the social psychology of sport, provide additional professional context for understanding organizational and societal influences on sport.In addition to the major requirements, students take supporting courses in human communication, general psychology, and physical activity, wellness, and sport electives to strengthen their interdisciplinary knowledge. The curriculum also incorporates Kent Core requirements, including composition, mathematics and critical reasoning, humanities and fine arts, social sciences, basic sciences with a laboratory, and additional courses to ensure a broad liberal arts foundation. General electives allow students to customize their program and meet the 120-credit-hour requirement, including 39 upper-division credits.Graduates of the SEPP program are prepared to work in sport psychology support roles, coaching, athletic training, exercise settings, and performance-focused fields. The program also provides strong preparation for graduate studies in sport psychology, mental performance consulting, or related fields. By integrating theoretical knowledge, research methods, and practical experience, students develop the skills to enhance human behavior, motivation, and performance in sport, exercise, and movement contexts while adhering to ethical and evidence-based practices.