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Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
A Concentration In
Sport Psychology
An emphasis within the B.S. in Psychology — understand the mind behind performance and help athletes thrive.
Mind and Performance
Sport psychology, motivation, and coaching
Body and Movement
Kinesiology and health psychology
Pairs With Coaching
A natural fit for future coaches and trainers
Performance is as much mental as physical. The Sport Psychology concentration explores the mind behind athletics — motivation, focus, resilience, and the group dynamics of a team — so you can help athletes perform and grow, not just train harder.
On top of the full psychology core, you’ll add twenty-one credits that bring mind and body together: Introduction to Sport Psychology, Principles of Coaching, Group Dynamics, Psychology of Learning and Motivation, Health Psychology, Principles of Counseling, and Kinesiology. You’ll graduate able to understand athletes as whole people — and ready for graduate study in sport psychology or careers in coaching, training, and athletic performance, all framed by a Biblical Worldview that values the body and the person.
Understand the Athlete's Mind
Study the psychology of performance, focus, and competition.
Motivate and Teach
Learn how people learn and what actually drives motivation.
Coach Effectively
Build a foundation in the principles of coaching.
Lead Teams
Understand group dynamics and how teams work together under pressure.
Connect Mind and Body
Study kinesiology and health psychology to understand performance as a whole-person reality.
Support the Whole Person
Learn counseling principles for walking with athletes through pressure and setbacks.
Sport engages the whole person — body, mind, and character — and a Biblical Worldview takes all three seriously.
The Body as Good
Scripture treats the body as good and purposeful, not something to transcend. That frames athletic training and performance as stewardship of a gift, not the pursuit of an idol.
Helps you work with athletes on performance without making it ultimate.
Character Through Competition
Sport forms people — in perseverance, humility, and how they handle winning and losing. A Biblical Worldview treats that character formation as part of what makes athletics worthwhile.
Equips you to coach and support the person, not just the performance.
Identity Beyond Performance
Athletes can tie their whole worth to results. The conviction that a person's value isn't earned through performance offers a steadier foundation than the next game or score.
Grounds your care for athletes' mental health in a stable sense of worth.
This concentration opens careers at the intersection of psychology and athletics — and a path to graduate study in sport psychology.
Coaching & Athletic Development
Coach and develop athletes with insight into the mental side of performance.
Performance & Mental Skills Support
Help athletes and teams build focus, motivation, and resilience.
Health, Fitness & Wellness
Work in fitness, wellness, and athletic-performance settings.
Graduate Study in Sport Psychology
Continue into a master's in sport psychology, counseling, or kinesiology (applied practice typically requires graduate work).
The Sport Psychology concentration brings together the mind and body of performance — and pairs naturally with coaching.
Mind and Body Together
Sport psychology and motivation alongside kinesiology and health psychology — performance as a whole-person reality.
A Natural Coaching Fit
Principles of coaching and group dynamics prepare you to lead athletes and teams.
Counseling Foundation
Principles of counseling helps you support athletes through pressure and setbacks.
Whole-Person Care
Learn to value athletes as people, framed by a Biblical Worldview of the body and identity.
Already drawn to the Psychology degree? Adding the Sport Psychology concentration is simple.
Apply to ACU
Submit your application for admission to Arizona Christian University.
Start Your ApplicationChoose Sport Psychology as Your Concentration
Tell your psychology advisor you want the Sport Psychology track, and they'll map it into your plan.
Connect With Athletics and Coaching
If you also coach or compete, talk with your advisor about pairing this concentration with coaching opportunities.
The Sport Psychology concentration brings together psychology, coaching, and the science of the body to prepare you for careers in athletics and performance. Apply or reach out today.
