Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology (California)

This seminar will have multiple components, including guest speakers covering a variety of topics in sport and performance domains, discussing contemporary issues in the field, as well as providing diverse training workshops.

This course examines the history, purpose, discipline, and basic techniques of sport and performance psychology. Students will examine how foundational principles in psychology were applied to performance and sport settings, and how current practices are shaped by ongoing research, inquiry, and application.

This course examines the professional laws and ethics pertaining to the practice of counseling and psychotherapy, with an emphasis on the laws and ethics pertaining to therapy and consulting with individuals and groups in a wide variety of settings. The content of various relevant legal and ethical codes will be reviewed, and the similarities and differences in ethical practice between the contexts of psychotherapy and performance psychology consulting will be explored in depth.

This course will provide a foundation of knowledge in the field of sport and performance psychology relevant to specific performance enhancement techniques.Students will examine ethical issues, explore being professional in the field, and enhance competence in performance enhancement skills and techniques for use in Sport and Performance Psychology, consulting with athletes in a variety of diverse settings. Through theoretical research of the techniques, students will create a binder of Sport and Performance Psychology- based handouts to prepare for their work with a diverse population of clients.

This course sequence is designed to present an overview of research designs and methods, including qualitative and quantitative approaches to research. Additionally, ethics in research, issues of diversity and multicultural competence relevant to the research process, and an introduction to the process of publishing within journals and other outlets will be covered.

An exploration of the role of culture in concepts of sport and performance psychology consultation and intervention. Students will examine how their own cultural background frames their understanding of themselves and others. Family heritage culturally informed assessment and intervention, and the limitations of the dominant Eurocentric psychological worldview to diverse populations are explored.

This course offers an overview of major theoretical counseling orientations and techniques and their application in performance psychology settings. Emphasis is on basic interviewing, assessment, and counseling skills that facilitate the helping process through integration of various theoretical models.

The course encompasses the purpose, implementation and utility of assessment strategies within sport and performance settings. Topics include the use of structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews, performing behavioral observations, theoretical foundations of assessment measures, test construction and the administration, scoring and interpretation of objective psychological measures applicable to the sport/performance setting. This course will emphasize synthesizing information gleaned from multiple methods to assist in accurate initial assessment, intervention planning, and evaluating changes in performance. The course will also highlight the importance of keeping case notes and accurate record keeping. Templates will be developed for informed consent and case notes. Finally, this course will discuss how to make referrals and how to assess for suicide in non-clinical settings.

Prerequisite: PSY 614A

Counseling Skills course introduces and develops the skills needed to assess, counsel, and provide an intervention plan as a mental performance coach. This course will explore the aspects of facilitating client development in a multicultural society. Students will gain an understanding of listening skills, the key concepts and core skills of communication. Emphasis will be placed on identifying which theories should be used for different patterns of behavior, situations and cultural groups. Students will practice those skills and discuss how to handle ethical dilemmas in a counseling relationship. Students are expected to integrate skills with their personal style and theory.

This is a course that introduces the concept of mindfulness. Students will gain basic knowledge in mindfulness meditation practices. The course will focus on the historical background, define concepts, present research, and enable opportunities for students to practice a wide variety of techniques. In-class participation and assignments will foster experience and familiarity with theories, strategies, and techniques, thereby allowing students to accumulate an applied knowledge of mindfulness that can be integrated into their personal and professional practices.

Prerequisite: PSY 602; PSY 607; PSY 644; PSY 648; PSY 637A; PSY 614; PSY 647; PSY 649; PSY 656

Comprehensive written examination covering material from year one, to be taken after successfully completing PSY 602, PSY 607, PSY 644, PSY 648, PSY 637A, PSY 614, PSY 647, PSY 649, and PSY 656.

This course examines the professional laws and ethics pertaining to the practice of counseling and psychotherapy, with an emphasis on the laws and ethics pertaining to therapy and consulting with individuals and groups in a wide variety of settings. The content of various relevant legal and ethical codes will be reviewed, and the similarities and differences in ethical practice between the contexts of psychotherapy and performance psychology consulting will be explored in depth.

This course examines the role of motor and biomechanical factors in performance situations. Course content includes the biomechanics of performance, linear and angular kinetics, the role of torque and force in performance, and the risks associated with biomechanical stress.