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

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 — Apply now!
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 Dominican University 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

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 Dominican University 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