For individuals interested in sport psychology
and in working in a clinical setting and/or using clinical psychology skills in working with clients, John F. Kennedy University is pleased to offer an innovative program that links the MA in Sport Psychology with the Clinical Doctorate program, the PsyD. This program provides a unique opportunity to train to work with both clinical clients and athletes and prepare to apply the skills and knowledge developed from both the fields of sport psychology and clinical psychology. It also allows individuals to obtain both the MA and the PsyD degrees in the almost the same amount of time that it takes to earn one.
Both the MA in Sport Psychology and the PsyD offer the highest level of available training in applied sport and clinical psychology respectively. (Unlike a research-based PhD, the PsyD program is designed to produce practitioners, not researchers, while providing the same high level of scholarly study.) And the missions of the two programs are similar: both provide a strong foundation in counseling skills and train students to serve multicultural and diverse populations.
In the past, students could earn a Masters degree in two years and a Doctorate in Psychology in an additional four years. This innovative linked program allows completion of
both degrees within five years of intensive, full-time study. (Part-time options are available.) Students will earn their MA in Sport Psychology after their third year and they will earn their PsyD after their fifth year. Having both degrees will enable graduates to use the title "Sport Psychologist" and allow them to apply for either Master's or Doctoral certification through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP). Graduates also earn eligibility to take the psychology licensing exam for the state of California.
Degree Requirements
Prospective students interested in the linked program should apply to the Sport Psychology program and the PsyD program concurrently. In the event that a student in good standing in the MA program is not accepted into the PsyD program, the student may continue the master's degree program.
Program Curriculum
In Years Two – Four, students take the Integrate Professional Seminar (IPS) series in the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters of each year.
Year 2 – IPS I: Practicum I (2 units), Group Process (1 unit), Multicultural Awareness in Professional Psychology (2 units)
Year 3 – IPS II: Practicum II (2 units), Advanced Group Process (1 unit), Multicultural Proficiency in Professional Psychology (2 units)
Year 4 – IPS III: Practicum III (2 units), Contemporary Issues in Professional Psychology (1 unit)
