Our Graduate Program:

Thank you for your interest in our graduate program! The graduate program in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Purdue University has a strong research emphasis and focuses upon the social psychology of sport and exercise. Faculty research targets motivational and emotional processes in sport and other physical activity settings as well as psychosocial/developmental aspects of the youth sport experience. We offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. General information, application procedures, and information on other program specializations are available on the department Graduate Programs web page. Select the appropriate tabs in the toolbar above for further information on our research activities and the courses that we teach.

The M.S. degree typically takes two years to complete and culminates in a research thesis. Students complete kinesiology courses, research tools courses, and elective courses. Course experiences are designed to help students generate thesis ideas and proposals. Thesis topics align closely with program research goals and are pursued in collaboration with a faculty mentor. The program is well suited to individuals who seek to enter doctoral programs in kinesiology, counseling, social/developmental psychology, or social work. Also, recent graduates have pursued careers in coaching and teaching (elementary through university), academic counseling, athletic administration, and social policy research. Successful applicants come from a range of undergraduate programs/majors, though coursework or research experience in kinesiology and psychology is desirable.

The Ph.D. degree is designed as a four-year experience, with research activity being of primary emphasis. Coursework requirements are determined in collaboration with the student, with emphasis on advanced sport psychology, quantitative methods/analysis, and a supporting area (e.g., human development, social psychology, sociology). Students in the Ph.D. program are trained to pursue employment in academic settings, and therefore successful doctoral applicants are those with strong interest in university research and teaching careers. Additionally, successful applicants have research interests that closely align with faculty research activities. Our belief is that the most important consideration in choosing a graduate program is the fit of student and advisor interests. Prospective applicants to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs are encouraged to contact us with any questions and to arrange a campus visit. Our contact information appears above in the page header.