Sports Psychology Programs in Ohio

In Ohio, the realm of sports psychology is rapidly gaining recognition and significance as athletes and teams seek to optimize their performance both mentally and physically. With an increasing understanding of the vital role that psychology plays in athletic success, the demand for sports psychology programs and opportunities in Ohio has surged. As athletes strive to achieve peak performance and coaches look for ways to enhance team dynamics, Ohio has become a hub for innovative sports psychology initiatives, offering a diverse array of programs and opportunities for aspiring practitioners and athletes alike.

Sports Psychology Degree programs in the State of Ohio

SportsPsychology.org Staff Writer | Updated/Verified: Mar 9, 2026

Sports Psychology Programs in Ohio

Ohio currently offers one type of sports psychology degree — a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology offered by Kent State University. However, if students want to enter into a master’s or doctorate degree, they will need to look for options in neighboring states or online. Here is a complete list of the various types of sports psychology degree levels available.

Bachelor’s Degree: Students in Ohio can opt for a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program in Sports Psychology. These undergraduate programs lay the foundation for comprehending the psychological factors that impact sports performance and prepare students for further specialization in the field.
Master’s Degree: Master’s programs in Sports Psychology provide advanced coursework and practical training. Students can pursue a Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Arts (M.A.) degree, acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to work with athletes.
Graduate Certificate: Designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s or (more commonly) a master’s degree in a related field, Sports Psychology graduate certificates offer focused training in the subject so that professionals in the field can specialize quickly and efficiently.
Doctorate Degree: Doctoral programs in Sports Psychology, such as Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), provide the highest level of education in the field. These programs emphasize research, advanced coursework, and clinical practice and prime the student for licensure and advanced roles in the field.

Do Online Sports Psychology Programs Exist in Ohio?

As mentioned in the previous section, Ohio offers only one sports psychology degree — a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology offered by Kent State University. Though the variety of degrees the state offers is limited, this program’s delivery options are flexible. Students enrolled at Kent State University can choose to attend classes on campus, online, or a combination of the two.

Online sports psychology programs offer several advantages, including the ability to study at one’s own pace, access to resources and materials from anywhere, and the opportunity to connect with professionals and students from diverse backgrounds. Aspiring sports psychologists in Ohio can explore online programs within the state or in other states to expand their knowledge and skills in the field.

2026 Best Sports Psychology Programs in Ohio

Looking for the best sports psychology programs in Ohio? sportspsychology.org ranks top schools to help you find the right fit. Our rankings highlight programs with strong coursework, experienced faculty, and good career outcomes. We focus on what matters most to students. Check out our list to see which Ohio schools stand out in sports psychology education. For details on how we rank programs, visit our ranking methodology page. This section lists the top sports psychology programs in Ohio based on our research. We evaluate factors like curriculum quality and student support. Our goal is to provide clear, useful information for your decision-making process.

Kent State University

Kent, OH - Public 4-Year - kent.edu

Bachelor's - Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology

Online Learning - Visit Website

Kent State University's online Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology delivers comprehensive training in psychological principles for athletic and performance contexts. This 120-credit program emphasizes motivation techniques, mental training strategies, and stress management approaches through flexible 100% online coursework. Admission requires a high school diploma with selective criteria for first-year students, and applicants must submit ACT or SAT scores. The curriculum includes practicum experience and covers specialized areas like sport injury psychology and exercise psychology, preparing graduates for coaching roles or advanced studies in the field.

100% online delivery
120 total credit hours
Graduate in 4 years
Focuses on psychological processes
Covers motivation and mental training
Includes stress management
Prepares for careers in coaching
Supports graduate study preparation
Ohio resident tuition $53,700
Non-resident tuition $54,900

Kent State University at Trumbull

Warren, OH - Public 4-Year - kent.edu

Bachelor's - Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology

Online Learning - Visit Website

Kent State University at Trumbull offers a 100% online Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology requiring 120 credits over four years full-time. This bachelor's-level program focuses on psychological factors like motivation, stress management, and mental skills training to enhance athletic performance, with curriculum covering injury psychology and ethical practice. Admissions require a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum 2.000 GPA, with ACT or SAT entrance exams typically required for first-year applicants. Ohio residents pay approximately $612.62 per credit hour, totaling around $53,700, while non-residents pay slightly more. The program prepares graduates for careers in coaching, mental performance consulting, or further graduate study.

Bachelor of Science degree.
Program is 100% online.
Requires 120 total credits.
Graduate in 4 years.
Focuses on psychological processes.
Covers motivation and mental training.
Includes stress management courses.
Prepares for sport psychology careers.
Admissions require high school diploma.
Open to first-year students.

Kent State University at Stark

North Canton, OH - Public 4-Year - kent.edu

Bachelor's - Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology

Online Learning - Visit Website

Kent State University at Stark offers a 100% online Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology requiring 120 credits typically completed in four years. This program focuses on psychological factors in athletic performance including motivation, mental training, stress management, and ethics. Admissions are based on high school GPA and curriculum, with ACT or SAT entrance exams required. Ohio residents pay approximately $612.62 per credit hour. The program includes a practicum in sport performance and prepares graduates for careers as mental performance coaches or further psychology studies.

Bachelor of Science degree.
120 total credit hours.
100% online delivery.
Graduate in 4 years.
Focuses on psychological processes.
Covers motivation and mental training.
Includes practicum in sport performance.
Admissions based on GPA.
Open to first-year students.
Transfer students accepted.

Miami University-Middletown

Middletown, OH - Public 4-Year - miamioh.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Sport Leadership and Management (Sport Psychology)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Miami University-Middletown's Master of Science in Sport Leadership and Management with a Sport Psychology concentration is a research-based program designed to prepare students for careers as mental performance consultants, coaches, and sport leaders. This full-time program can be completed in 9-12 months with rolling admission each semester. The curriculum includes psychological foundations, interventions, and social psychology of sport, with practical experiences and internship opportunities available. Students can pursue a graduate certificate in Sport Psychology and work toward Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification. This program requires an entrance exam for admission.

Master of Science degree
Sport Psychology concentration
Full-time 9-12 month program
Rolling admission each semester
Research-based with applied focus
Prepares for CMPC certification
Includes required core courses
Elective options available
Thesis option available
Internship opportunities

Miami University-Hamilton

Hamilton, OH - Public 4-Year - miamioh.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Sport Leadership and Management (Sport Psychology)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Miami University-Hamilton's Master of Science in Sport Leadership and Management with a Sport Psychology concentration is a research-based, 30-credit program designed to be completed in 9-12 months. It prepares students for careers as mental performance consultants, coaches, and sport leaders through required courses like Psychological Foundations of Sport and Psychological Interventions in Sport. The program supports Certified Mental Performance Consultant certification with supervised hours and offers rolling admission each semester. An entrance exam is required for this master's level program.

Master of Science degree
Sport Psychology concentration
9-12 month full-time program
Rolling admission each semester
Research-based with applied focus
30 credit hour program
CMPC certification preparation
Required research foundation courses
Psychological Foundations of Sport course
Psychological Interventions in Sport course

*Data from: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2024.

Sports Psychologist Licensure & Certification in Ohio

To practice as a sports psychologist in Ohio, professionals must fulfill specific licensure requirements set by the Ohio State Board of Psychology. The licensure process involves several steps:

Educational Requirements: Aspiring sports psychologists in Ohio typically need to obtain a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited school. This degree provides a comprehensive foundation in psychological theories, research methodologies, and clinical practices.
Supervised Clinical Experience: Aside from the proper education, students must gain supervised clinical experience. This involves working under the guidance of experienced licensed psychologists or sports psychologists to gain real-world training in athletic mental health.
Licensing Examination: Candidates must also pass a licensing examination administered by the Ohio State Board of Psychology. This exam assesses their knowledge of psychology principles, ethics, and the application of psychological techniques in sports settings.

Sports psychologists are encouraged to pursue certifications to further enhance their credentials and demonstrate specialized expertise. Two main certifications in the field of sports psychology are the Board Certified in Sport Psychology (BCS) and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credentials. These certifications require a combination of education, supervised practice, and passing a certification examination.

Through meeting licensure requirements and obtaining relevant certifications through organizations such as the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), sports psychologists in Ohio can establish themselves as professionals in the field.

Sports Psychology Career Opportunities in Ohio

Ohio is home to many career opportunities in sports psychology. Graduates can find employment in in areas such as collegiate athletic departments, sports academies, rehabilitation centers, sports medicine clinics, and private practice. Sports organizations and institutions that hire sports psychologists in Ohio include:

The Ohio State University Athletics
University of Cincinnati Athletics
Ohio University Athletics
Cleveland Cavaliers (National Basketball Association)
Columbus Crew SC (Major League Soccer)
Cleveland Gaurdians (Major League Baseball)

List of Sports Psychology Programs Offered in Ohio

Jump to City:

Ashtabula, OH

Kent State University at Ashtabula

Bachelor's - Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Online Learning - Website
- Bachelor of Science degree.
- 120 total credit hours.
- 100% online delivery.
- Focuses on psychological processes.
- Covers motivation and mental training.
- Includes stress management courses.
- Prepares for careers in coaching.
- Open to first-year students.

Burton, OH

Kent State University at Geauga

Bachelor's - Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Online Learning - Website
- Bachelor of Science degree
- 120 total credit hours
- 100% online delivery
- Focus on psychological processes
- Graduate in 4 years
- Ohio resident tuition $53,700
- Non-Ohio resident tuition $54,900
- High school diploma required

East Liverpool, OH

Kent State University at East Liverpool

Bachelor's - Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Online Learning - Website
- Bachelor of Science degree.
- 120 total credit hours.
- 100% online delivery.
- Graduate in 4 years.
- Focus on psychological processes.
- Covers motivation and mental training.
- Includes stress management courses.
- Prepares for careers in coaching.

Hamilton, OH

Miami University-Hamilton

Master's - Master of Science in Sport Leadership and Management
Concentration: Sport Psychology - Campus Based - Website
- Master of Science degree
- Sport Psychology concentration
- 9-12 month full-time program
- Rolling admission each semester
- Research-based with applied focus
- 30 credit hour program
- CMPC certification preparation
- Required research foundation courses