Welcome to Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology at MNSU!

Thank you for your interest in our program! Please review the links on the right for details about applications and degree requirements.

We support students who are interested in applied careers and continued graduate study. Our program allows students to gain applied and/or research experience to prepare for their preferred career. Our program is aligned with and committed to the Association for Applied Sport Psychology’s Code of Ethics, Principles, and Standards and its Position Statement on Human Diversity.

Students accrue applied hours of mental performance delivery through the Center for Sport and Performance Psychology. Attained hours are used toward Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), the gold standard designation for practice developed by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Our graduate students have success acquiring graduate assistantships throughout the university that complement their professional interests and classroom learning. Graduate assistantships are posted as they become available.

We also have a partnership with the Counseling and Student Personnel Master’s Program at Minnesota State, Mankato. This partnership allows students to apply for the M.S in Mental Health Counseling and complete coursework to become licensed counselors. Accepted students can complete both degrees within three years. Students complete their sport, exercise, and performance psychology degree in two years and finish their mental health counseling degree in the third year. Please contact Dr. McAlarnen to learn more.

Our alumni pursue a range of applied careers, including (but not limited to): Master Resilience Trainers in the U.S. Army, private practice as Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPC), college coaching, health and wellness coaching, talent development in the business sector, and student services (career counseling, advising, and related positions at a university).

Graduates have continued to doctoral studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Public Health, Counseling Psychology, and Exercise Science. These alumni aim to become licensed psychologists with a specialty in athletic, exercise, and performance populations with careers as private practitioners, faculty, and researchers.

 

Please reach out with any questions:

• Michelle McAlarnen, Ph.D., CMPC, Professor, michelle.mcalarnen@mnsu.edu