Sport and Human Performance (M.S.)

Program Mission

The Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance (MSHP) provides students with a comprehensive foundation in theories and methods of mental skills training. The MSHP program offers graduate training within sport and human performance, coupled with Adler University’s emphasis on socially responsible practice. Students will prepare to work with individuals who wish to maximize their performance and psychological well-being. Graduates are employed within health promotion programs, high school and university athletic departments, amateur and professional sport organizations, and the military.

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance includes:

• A comprehensive curriculum, including theory, applied mental skills training, and mentored field experiences totaling 38 credit hours.
• A Social Justice Practicum, a social responsibility immersion experience created to develop an identity in students as social justice advocates and agents of social change (200 hours total).
• A  field training is required for graduation to gain experience in mental skills training.

Sport and Human Performance Program Learning Objectives

Sport and Human Performance: Demonstrate a capability to conduct evidence-based and ethical practice with: (a) the knowledge of the psychological constructs, theories, and related assessments of human performance; and (b) the capability to implement mental performance enhancement strategies and techniques.

Sport Science and Psychological Foundations: Demonstrate a capability to connect the symbiotic relationship between the physiological and psychological aspects of sport and human performance to facilitate the development of a multidisciplinary approach to case conceptualization and intervention strategies for collaboration and/or consultation.

Helping Skills: Apply theories and skills to work with diverse client populations and be familiar with clinical issues and diagnoses with ethical and multicultural considerations in order to determine when to refer.

Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Develop a proficiency in critically evaluating literature, research methods, and interpretation of research results to be able to utilize evidence-based practice in sport and human performance consultation.

Mental Performance Consultation: Demonstrate the capability to conduct mental performance consultation and accurately evaluate delivery methods and the effectiveness of mental skills training (e.g., conceptualization, assessment, planning, implementation) for individuals, teams, groups, leaders, and/or organizations.

Adlerian Foundations and Principles: Apply principles of Adlerian theory such as purposiveness of behavior, the indivisible self, goal-directed behavior, and the role of social interest in mental performance consulting with the goals to improve the well-being of individuals, couples, groups, families, and a diverse society.

Social Justice/Social Responsibility: Reflect on personal values and assumptions (e.g., biases and privileges about the nature and causes of social problems [e.g., poverty, racism, abuse]) and gain experience and skills to advocate for systemic change through engagement and leadership in multidisciplinary and diverse community-based organizations.

Instructional Modality

This program is designed to be  completed in two years, with exceptions for students with extenuating circumstances. Students seeking a part-time or expedited schedule must consult with the program director. MSHP courses, with the exception of field placement activities during the externship, are offered once per academic year and are on campus, primarily during the weekdays. The maximum time for completion of the program is five years.

Minimum Program Admission Requirements

Applicants to this program are required to have:

• A baccalaureate degree earned from a college or university regionally accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or an equivalent degree from an international college or university.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework.
• Exceptions may be made for applicants who demonstrate improved academic performance or academic ability in other ways.

Approved applicants will be invited for a personal interview as the final step in the application process.

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all required courses and seminars.
2. Satisfactory completion of Social Justice Practicum I and II.
3. Satisfactory completion of the MSHP Externship.
4. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of C in courses other than counseling practicum and MSHP Externship prerequisites.
5. Submission of completed graduation application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.
6. Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance.

 

Professional Practice and Field Training

Social Justice Practicum

The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) is a nonclinical and non-discipline-specific experiential practicum. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to utilize collective power and social justice strategies to build a more equitable society. 

The SJP is designed to help students learn how to work alongside different communities as agents of social change and serves as the catalyst for students to realize and understand their strengths and responsibility to contribute to social equity. 

The SJP unites the academic institution and larger communities and is an anchor of student learning at Adler University. This experiential learning process includes attending monthly workshops to explore civics, intersectionality, and community organizing and completing a practicum at community-based organizations to work on projects that will strengthen the social justice missions of our community partner members. 

All students must complete the SJP before advancing onto any clinical or discipline-specific training, respective of the program in which they are enrolled. SJP requirements include: 

- Completion of a minimum of 200 hours at an approved SJP site.
- Completion of online modules.

- A formal SJP presentation at the Social Justice Symposium.

- Students must receive a grade of “Pass” for the midterm and final evaluation to receive credit for completing the SJP.  

The SJP may not be waived, and life credit is not admissible to meet this requirement. 

Sport and Human Performance Externship

Students will complete an externship in a setting that allows them to focus on delivering mental performance services. The externship experience involves students providing performance-related consulting while having mentorship from a mental performance consultant who is certified by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP; certified credential is CMPC®). An externship provides students the opportunity to work with performers in individual, team, and group settings. The training coordinator will assist students with the externship placement process that is outlined in the MSHP Externship Handbook. A copy of this manual may be downloaded from the Adler Connect portal at connect.adler.edu or from the MSHP training coordinator or program director.

Mental Performance Certification Requirements through AASP

Successful completion of this program includes required coursework needed for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC®; appliedsportpsych.org) credential. This program will provide opportunities for mental skills training to be applied toward the required 400 hours of mentored experience. To be considered for CMPC®, individuals must complete the following:

1. Completed Record of Mentored Experience Hours Form.
2. Signed Mentorship Verification Form from each mentor.
3. Signed Attestation/Ethical Code statement.
4. Application fee.
5. Passing score on CMPC Exam.