Menlo’s First Graduate Program: Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology

By Zack Bryant, Ph.D., MASPP Director and Assistant Professor of Psychology

I am thrilled to announce Menlo College’s first graduate program: the Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology (MASPP).

The demand for professionals in the field is growing fast—the most recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts double-digit growth in the industry, reflecting the fact that performance psychology has moved from an exclusive focus on athletics and the arts to incorporate the business sector as well. The consulting industry is alert to the demand: Deloitte has hundreds of openings for professionals with a master’s degree in performance psychology.

Menlo is uniquely positioned to prepare students for a career in the industry. The abundance of tech companies and professional and top-tier collegiate sports teams in the Bay Area offers incredible opportunities for Menlo students to build their professional network, grow their skills, and obtain job experience. Having coached and consulted with athletes at the high school and collegiate levels, I have a wide range of athletic coaching contacts that our students can leverage to find the field placements that will enable them to increase their skills and apply their knowledge.

Our two-year MASPP curriculum will encompass all eight content areas recommended by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. With that solid underpinning, graduates will be eligible to take the Certified Mental Performance Consultant exam, which is the gold-standard of the field and the only mental performance certification recognized by the NCAA (where Menlo Oaks will soon establish their home as they finalize the move from NAIA to NCAA in fall 2024).

In addition to the curriculum, we will offer informational sessions featuring industry professionals so that students can learn more about jobs available in the performance psychology field. Students will also develop ePortfolios to capture the full range of their performance enhancement activities and accomplishments, positioning them to be competitive in the job market.

Whether students are interested in coaching, teaching, working with professional athletes, service members, business executives, or performing artists, they will be prepared both academically and experientially to get the job of their dreams. I can’t wait to launch this program and teach and mentor the next generation of performance psychology consultants that will leave a lasting mark on the field. While we still need to secure approval from our accreditor before we launch, we are confident that we will be enrolling our first cohort of MASPP students this coming fall.