Study the mental side of athletic performance: motivation, focus, confidence, and team dynamics, along with the psychology of training, injury, and recovery. The minor draws on psychology, exercise science, sociology, and nutrition.
21 credit hours · 9 or more earned at UCA · 2.0 minimum GPA in the minor · Open to all majors
Why Choose the Sports Psychology Minor?
- Study the mental side of performance: motivation, confidence, focus, and resilience
- Understand the athlete as a whole person, not a set of physical metrics
- Draw on psychology, exercise and sport science, sociology, and nutrition
- Prepare for coaching, athletic training, sports medicine, and mental-performance careers
- Strengthen any major in exercise science, kinesiology, or psychology
The core requires PSYC 4328 plus one of EXSS 4395 or SOC 3330, and the unused option can become an elective. The pathways are recommendations, not tracks. Psychology majors may count no more than two PSYC courses, so talk with your advisor about the right fit.
Find Your Path
After the required core, you choose four electives. These groupings are starting points, not rigid tracks. Any combination that meets the requirements works, and your advisor can help you adjust.
Coaching and Athletic Performance. Great for coaching and performance. For future coaches, strength and conditioning staff, and performance specialists who want to understand how athletes learn skills, build habits, and stay motivated.
Courses may include:
- EXSS 2340 Motor Development and Learning
- PSYC 3312 Psychology of Learning
- PSYC 4351 Applied Behavior Analysis
- NUTR 4315 Sports Nutrition
Athletic Training and Sports Medicine. Great for athletic training and sports medicine. For students heading toward athletic training, physical therapy, or sports medicine, where the body and the psychology of injury and recovery meet.
Courses may include:
- BIOL 2405 Human Anatomy and Physiology
- EXSS 3331 Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
- PSYC 4323 Health Psychology
- NUTR 4315 Sports Nutrition
Team Dynamics and Mental Skills. Great for mental skills and team culture. Focus on the psychology of teams, leadership, and performance under pressure, a strong fit for sport administration, counseling, and mental-performance roles.
Courses may include:
- PSYC 3335 Social Psychology
- PSYC 3322 Theories of Personality
- EXSS 2340 Motor Development and Learning
- SOC 3330 Sociology of Sports (if not used in the core)
Ready to Add Sports Psychology?
Talk with your academic advisor about how the minor fits your major and your timeline, or contact the Department of Psychology and Counseling.
Requirements: 21 credit hours, 9 or more earned at UCA, with a 2.0 minimum GPA in the minor. Required (9 hours): PSYC 1300 General Psychology, PSYC 4328 Sports Psychology, and one of EXSS 4395 Sport in American Society or SOC 3330 Sociology of Sports. Electives (12 hours): choose four from the approved list; the unused core option may count as an elective. Psychology majors substitute one additional 3-credit psychology course for PSYC 1300 and may count no more than two PSYC courses. Major coursework cannot count toward the minor.