Athletic Counseling | Springfield College

Athletic Counseling

Master of Education or Master of Science
About This Program
Admissions Contact

Sean Mangan
Graduate Admissions Counselor
smangan@springfield.edu
(413) 748-3060
Make an appointment

Are you an International Student?
Please contact intladmissions@springfield.edu 
Make an appointment

Curriculum and Delivery
  • 48-credit MEd and 49-credit MS programs
  • Courses offered on campus in Springfield, Mass.
  • Mental Health First Aid certification
  • Course requirements
Start Dates and Duration
  • Start in September (fall semester)
  • Courses are offered full time
  • Complete in 4 semesters
Paying for Your Education
Career Opportunities
Looking for post-graduate programs?

Deciding between athletic counseling and sport and exercise psychology? We can help.

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Upcoming Events

Graduate Open House
Tuesday, March 26 at noon or 5:30 p.m.
Register

Tips and Pointers for Applying to Graduate School
Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m.
Register

Athletic Counseling Virtual Information Session
Wednesday, November 6 at 7 p.m.
Register

Springfield College graduate students in the Athletic Counseling program conduct a workshop with the Men’s Gymnastics team on December 6, 2023.

The MEd/MS in Psychology: Athletic Counseling at Springfield College combines training in both applied and research areas of sport and performance-related counseling, as shown through our sample two-year plan of study. The program prepares students to understand the complex lives of athletes and performers which requires taking a holistic approach to service by  supporting them in their interpersonal relationships, performance-related goals, and overall mental well-being.

Through applied fieldwork opportunities, you will prepare for professional work with athletes at various levels and for doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, or sport psychology. You'll also hone your skills through the athletic counseling Research Team, comprised of students, faculty, and other interested individuals, which discusses all aspects of the research process

The Athletic Counseling master's degree program will prepare students for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential offered through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Students may need to complete coursework and supervised experiences post-graduation if CMPC requirements are not completed within their curriculum. The CMPC credential is not conferred by the program and is under the purview of AASP.

How to Apply:

Admissions Requirements

  1. Complete the FREE online application: Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials and instructions for submitting supplemental materials as listed below.
  2. Essay: In two to three double-spaced pages, please describe significant life experiences that have contributed to your interest in your field, your understanding of this field, your occupational objectives, and why you have chosen Springfield College. 
  3. Resume: Please include any college activities, out-of-school leadership experiences, work history, and community involvement to support your interest in or qualifications for graduate study. 
  4. Two letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or direct supervisor: Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.
  5. Interview: This program requires an interview
  6. Transcripts: An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu or mailed to the college address: 

Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109

International Applicants

In addition to the above admissions requirements, all international applicants from non-English speaking countries are required to submit:

  • Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS: Other tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our language requirements for more information on acceptable tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and conditional acceptance. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed college-level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
  • Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations.

The Office of International Admissions can assist you with questions you may have about enrolling at Springfield College as an international student by emailing intladmissions@springfieldcollege.edu.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Students:

  • Priority Application Deadline: January 26
  • Following the Priority Deadline, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

International Students:

  • Application and Supporting Materials Deadline: January 26
“What set this program apart from others was the amount of fieldwork experience we get right from the beginning. There are so many sites available and so many opportunities for us to get real-life experience working with athletes that other programs were not able to provide. Additionally, the opportunity to concurrently enroll in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program allows for much greater career opportunities and is something that is found at only a handful of other programs throughout the country.” Laurie Miller, Graduate Class of 2025
Laurie Miller - Springfield College
“The Athletic Counseling program offered everything I was looking for to pursue my dream career. The design of the program makes the transition into clinical work seamless while ensuring that I will have the qualifications to take the Certified Mental Performance Consultant exam and begin my clinical journey.” Georgana Sziszak, Graduate Class of 2025
Georgana Sziszak - Springfield College
Student Testimonial

Georgia Miller, G'22

The Athletic Counseling program at Springfield College stands out from the rest due to its hands-on experience with the athletes and teams that are on campus and in the community. This program provides support for so many athletes and helps set the standard for all schools to implement mental performance services. 

 

Georgia Miller in front of the Springfield College sign

Should I study athletic counseling or sport and exercise psychology?

Trying to figure out which graduate program is the right fit for you? We're happy to help explain the differences.

A female student sits in class with her laptop.

Madison Dirats, G’20

“Athletic counseling provides holistic training, helping us to learn and implement a whole-person (spirit, mind, and body) approach. Our professors are leading-industry experts who instill confidence in us, and our alumni are a valuable networking resource. Through coursework, research, and applied experiences, we develop a shared vision for supporting teams and athletes, each of us an integral piece of our program and community. This program is, and always will be, my home.”

Madison Dirats

Fellowships & Scholarships

Let us help you make your graduate education as affordable as possible.

Student Employment

Work on our campus to earn money while pursuing your graduate degree.

Employee Partnerships

Employees of our partnerships are eligible to receive a $5,000 or $10,000 partner grant.
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