MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology

MSc

Sport and Exercise Psychology

via Distance Learning

Faculty of Health Sciences

Key Facts Duration: 1 year full-time 2 years part-time Course begins: September

Is this award for you?

This award is for students interested in the growing and exciting field of sport and exercise psychology. Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) it provides the first step in gaining Chartered Psychologist status and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist.

Location: School of Psychology, Sport and Exercise Stoke Campus Course fee: For further information about our fees please visit www.staffs.ac.uk/internationalfees www.staffs.ac.uk/feesandfunding

Entry requirements: The award is aimed at those individuals who have graduated from psychology related degrees and possess Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

A minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands) or an equivalent qualification is required for this award.

About this award The MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology is the only distance-learning postgraduate qualification in sport and exercise psychology offered by a university in the UK. It has been developed to equip students with a critical understanding of current issues relating to the application of psychological theory to sport and exercise settings.

The award has been developed for individuals who possess Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS). It is accredited by the BPS and provides the first stage in the training process towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist.

The award takes one year full-time and two years part-time to complete and comprises of a series of six inter-related modules that are delivered in a part-time, distancelearning format using Staffordshire University’s Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Accredited by

Key features • Accredited by the British Psychological Society - providing Stage One Professional Training in Sport and Exercise Psychology - the first step in gaining Chartered Psychologist status and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist • Award tutors with a wealth of research and consultancy experience from the School of Psychology, Sport and Exercise.

• Part-time study option allowing you to study flexibility to fit around work and other commitments • The only distance-learning postgraduate qualification in sport and exercise psychology offered by a university in the UK • A unique opportunity to study for postgraduate qualifications at a time and place convenient to you

With flexible study, you will be able to fit learning around work and other commitments.

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MSc Sport and Exercise Pyschology via Distance Learning Faculty of Health Sciences Award content Modules studied across the award Physical Activity and Mental Health In this module the current state of evidence regards the relationship between physical activity and mental health is examined. Physical activity theories and models are critically evaluated using a range of sources of evidence including traditional review, metaanalysis and epidemiological research. A central focus of the module is behaviour change with respect to physical activity. The mental health benefits of activity with respect to selected mental illnesses are also evaluated and practical physical activity interventions examined.

Research Methods and Data Analysis This module develops and enhances research methods, statistical and qualitative analysis skills. Key analytical techniques will be addressed via data sets in sport and exercise psychology.

Group Dynamics and Leadership in Sport and Exercise This module covers the application Group Dynamics and Leadership in Sport and Exercise covers the application of social psychological theory to sport and exercise settings, with a focus on audience effects, groups, and leadership, and on how these processes may impact on the performance of athletes, coaches, trainers and managers. Adopting a social psychology framework the module will examine contemporary approaches related to the impact of audiences, group dynamics and cohesion in the performance domain.

Traditional and contemporary theoretical approaches to sport and exercise leadership will also be critically examined. A particular focus here will also be on recent innovative approaches to leadership (i.e., the social identity approach to leadership), with students examining empirical evidence in this area, and, again having the opportunity to apply this approach into identified authentic settings.

The Practice of Sport and Exercise Psychology In this module a range of psychological techniques available to practitioners are outlined (e.g., selftalk, imagery). Theoretical and empirical evidence for the effectiveness of these techniques will be considered. Students will be required to consider what psychological techniques are most appropriate and how they should best be applied to a range of scenarios (e.g., enhancing confidence in a novice

exerciser, helping an elite athlete cope with a career ending injury). In the second part of the module the skills required to practice effectively (e.g., counselling skills, communication skills and reflective practice) are considered along with issues surrounding the delivery of psychological interventions to different groups (e.g., disabled athletes) are considered.

Skilled Performance Under Pressure This module uses psychophysiological interpretations of how athletes interact with motivated performance situations to explain skilled performance under pressure. First, the module will explore historical and contemporary approaches to understanding skilled performance. Traditional approaches to skill acquisition will be contrasted with an emerging constraints lead approach with a focus on how such models can promote an informed organisation of the learning and practice environment. Second, recent approaches to understanding skilled performance under pressure including (a) implicit and explicit theories of skill development (b) theories of challenge and threat, (c) reinvestment theory (d) choking, (e) the attentional focus of instructions and feedback and (f) analogy learning will be critically evaluated.

The course staff are excellent: all of them have demonstrated expertise and a strong desire to help and pass on their knowledge in an accessible and friendly way.

Dissertation This final module involves the planning and execution of an empirical research project. A formal presentation and oral defence of the research is a key feature of the module.

I really feel as though I have been on an amazing educational journey over the past two years, gaining insight into so much psychology that can be applied to everyday life (not just in a sports context). I know many people who have completed Masters degrees. I can say with some degree of confidence that the MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology offers faster feedback than many other Masters courses, excellent structure and engaging content and the best lecturers you could hope to meet.

(Clare McCall, currently studying the MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology).

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The information in this guide is correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change. For the latest information, visit our website or call us on 01782 294400.

Tel: +44 (0) 1782 294400 Email: enquiries@staffs.ac.uk Opening times: 8.45am - 5.00pm Monday - Thursday 8.45am - 4.30pm Friday

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