Master of Arts in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (ASPP)

Graduates of Dominican's ASPP program become ethical, professional, and culturally competent practitioners who work with performers in a variety of domains. Our program is committed to supporting both the professional and personal growth of students to become practitioners and leaders of Sport and Performance Psychology who integrate the art and science of mental skills training.

A Master of Arts in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (ASPP) will train you to work with performers in a variety of domains: from sporting arenas and businesses to performing arts and health care. Learn to integrate established theories with evidence-based and evidence-informed techniques to enhance the mental performance of individuals and teams. Gain practical experience working with performers to help their personal growth and their ability to excel in pressure situations.

Program Information

  • On-campus, online, or hybrid learning modalities with a mandatory 2-week residency on-campus during the summer term.
  • Our online learning environment is a combination of real-time classes and coursework on your own schedule.
  • The curriculum is fully aligned with all the certification requirements of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), including coursework and applied hours, to become Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPC).
  • Applied supervised field experience with teams, performers, organizations, and more. 
    Learn more about performance placements.
  • Training in providing in-person and remote performance consulting.
  • Shadow experienced practitioners working with performers.
  • Elective options including working with performing arts, military, and business performers.
  • Masterclasses from renowned individuals in sport and performance psychology and coaches in the field.
  • Professional development workshops. 
  • Develop a portfolio project throughout the program in lieu of a thesis.
  • Learn from highly skilled, internationally-recognized faculty.

The program has prepared me to be a better coach in my work with athletes. It has also helped me with my everyday life.
- Ash W.

Application DeadlinesTuition Rate Per UnitNumber of UnitsFormat and Length
Fall: August 1
Spring: December 1
 
$1,210

View Tuition and Financial Aid Information for details.
53 Units

 
On-campus, online, or hybrid with residency and placements

24-36 months

Please refer to our FAQ or contact the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology program at aspp@dominican.edu with any further questions.

Attend an Online Information Session

Admissions and Financial Aid

A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution is required to apply to our graduate programs. Other requirements include: 

  1. A Completed Application&²Ô²ú²õ±è;—&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
  2. Official Transcript(s)
    Official transcript of coursework from each college or university attended (undergraduate and graduate). Find complete instructions on how to submit your transcripts to Dominican here.
  3. GPA of 3.0
    A GPA of 3.0 is required for the last 60 units of graded undergraduate or graduate coursework. Consideration will be given to applicants with a GPA below 3.0 upon the discretion of the Department Chair.
  4. Resume
  5. Statement of Purpose or Intent
    A brief essay (minimum 500 words, 2 pages maximum) describing professional and/or personal goals for obtaining a graduate degree
    • Cover any relevant performance background you have had.
    • Why do you wish to be considered as an applicant to the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology Program?
    • Why do you wish to become a Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ of California student (if you’re already a DUC student then please state how the values of the university have influenced your choice to stay here)?
    • If you had challenges in your undergraduate studies, please address those.
    • What do you hope to do with this degree or Certificate?
       
  6. Letters of Recommendation
    2 letters of recommendation from previous professors or work supervisors (academic references preferred).
  7. Personal Interview
    Interview with Department Chair or Assistant Director.
  8. International Applicants
    International candidates must meet additional admissions requirements.

Learn about tuition per unit, additional fees, and total tuition.

We'll also show you how a Dominican education is more affordable than you might think with support from financial aid, scholarships, and loans. 

TUITION AND AID

Program Format and Career Paths

Mission Statement

The Applied Sport and Performance Psychology Department aims to educate and train students to become ethical, professional, and culturally competent practitioners who work with performers in a variety of domains. Our program is grounded in the theory and research of sport and performance psychology and offers training for practitioners to apply this education in the field. The program is committed to supporting both the professional and personal growth of students to become practitioners and leaders of Sport and Performance Psychology who integrate the art and science of mental skills training.

Values

The Applied Sport and Performance Psychology Department at Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ of California values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strives to take an anti-racist and anti-oppressive approach in the classroom. We work to both be culturally humble professors and help develop cultural humility in our trainee-practitioners. We encourage students to join us in the ongoing work of social justice and advocacy.

Program Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, a student should be able to:

  • Ethics and Professionalism: Apply the professional and ethical standards guiding Sport and Performance Psychology.
  • Theory and Research: Synthesize theoretical principles and evidence-based research to inform applied practice.
  • Case Conceptualization: Formulate theoretically grounded and evidence-based case conceptualizations for work with individuals and groups.
  • Mental Skills Training: Design, implement, and assess a comprehensive mental skills training plan that can adapt to meet client needs over time.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Reflect upon and manage one’s own emotions to effectively support clients. Facilitate client awareness and management of emotions to support performance and well-being.
  • Cultural Intelligence: Recognize and adapt to the diverse sociocultural contexts in which both the student and client live and perform.

This program provides flexibility for students who may be working or have personal commitments. Dominican offers a variety of class schedules, including on-campus, online, or hybrid learning modalities with a mandatory 2-week residency on-campus during the summer term. View the most recent recommended course roadmap here.

There are many arenas that successful alumni go into.  Graduates can go onto apply for certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Areas that graduates continue in include:

  • Athletic environments
  • eSports
  • Business settings
  • The military
  • Performing arts
  • Private Practice
  • Academia
  • Continuation onto a PhD or PsyD for clinical training

Degrees Offered

MA

Course Catalog

Program Contact

Breegan Arnett, MM

Assistant Director of Admissions, Barowsky School of Business

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Certificate Program

With our Sport and Performance Psychology certificate further your education and expertise in mental skills training and/or are work towards your Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).

Learn More
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ASPP Advisory Board

Our Advisory Board for the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (ASPP) programs here at Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ of California consists of inspiring leaders, practitioners and performers from various performance domains based in Europe and all across the US. Learn more about their knowledge, skills and expertise on our ASPP Advisory Board page.

Learn More
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Donate to Support the ASPP Scholarship Fund

Help deserving students become the Sport and Performance Psychology leaders they aspire to be with a donation of any amount. We appreciate your support!

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La Vida Dominican

La Vida Dominican is a program for all students, increasing educational access and connection to support services, enabling degree completion and post-graduation success. Particularly, La Vida is centering experiences of students from Latinx and other historically underserved backgrounds.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LA VIDA DOMINICAN

Faculty and Staff

Alison Pope Rhodius

Alison Pope-Rhodius, PhD

Professor Program Director Applied Sport and Performance Psychology
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Dan Ourian, MA, CMPC

Assistant Director, Applied Sport and Performance Psychology
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Jazzy Oates

Student Services Manager for Applied Sport & Performance Psychology
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Kai Laird

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Paul Ashbrook

Adjunct Professor
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Dan Ourian

Adjunct Instructor
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Katie Lovallo

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Claire Reclosado-Baclay

Adjunct Associate Professor
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Kacey Gibson

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Bart Lerner

Adjunct Professor
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Michael Nicoloff

Adjunct Instructor
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Mitzi Kincaid

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Andrew Morgan

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Kellen Lee

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Daniery Rosario

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Kimberly Neal

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Tanner Biwer

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Anna Hennings

Adjunct Instructor
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Easa Camorongan

Adjunct Instructor
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Alex Cantillo

Adjunct Associate Professor
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Michael Howard

Adjunct Instructor
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Cynthia Clarke

Adjunct Instructor