Deliver psychological services to athletes, coaches and teams so they can achieve their best. Learn the theory and research through:

• role playing
• lectures
• demonstrations
• experiences with whole teams, coaches and individual athletes
• experiences with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra

Develop a thorough understanding of the therapeutic relationship between psychologist and client. Gain skills in related areas such as rehabilitation psychology in order to market your services more broadly.

The Masters degree satisfies the requirements for registration as a psychologist in Victoria with the Psychology Board of Australia. It also meets the qualifications for full membership in the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

The program has accreditation from the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) as a fifth and sixth year in psychology, and approval by the APS College of Sport and Exercise Psychologists. Full college membership is available to graduates who also complete a minimum of one year of full-time equivalent supervised practice.

You may also have the option of converting to the Doctor of Applied Psychology, in either Sport or Community Psychology, at the end of Year 1. To qualify for admission to the doctoral program you must successfully complete the first year of the Master course and demonstrate the capacity for carrying out research at the doctoral level.

If you are applying for a graduate program in Psychology at VU, you must complete a Referee Report

The Advice to applicants in Psychology will advise you which referee report/s you need to submit.

• Location:
  Footscray Park
• College:
  College of Arts
• Study mode:
  Full Time and Part Time
• Delivery mode:
  On campus
• Course code:
  AMPS
• Duration:
  2 years
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here for the international version of this course

How to apply

You will undertake practicum experiences including working with whole teams, coaches and individual athletes. There are also short-term (2 to 4 weeks) practicum experiences available at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. 

This course equips you for a career in:

• Sport psychology
• Sport science and related areas
• General psychology practice
• Psychological work in exercise settings (e.g. cardiac exercise rehabilitation, fitness industry)

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

Graduates of this course will be able to:

1. Utilise technical, communication and cognitive skills and knowledge of sport psychology to inform practice and engender a broad perspective of professional work;
2. Apply critical knowledge and applied skills, methods and techniques in sport psychology to facilitate the highest level of professional service;
3. Demonstrate high levels of expert judgment and ethical behaviours in order to operate according to the highest standards of professional practice;
4. Adapt learning to a range of practice settings through discussion and supervision with peers and professionals;
5. Employ evaluative and reflective practice techniques to facilitate the highest level of professional service and development;
6. Select and apply appropriate research methodologies and independent research skills to identify, analyse and resolve complex problems in a practice setting;
7. Utilise advanced communication, research and cognitive skills to present study implications to a broad audience and generate future directions for research on the issue;
8. Apply for specialist APS College membership in sport psychology.

Students are required to complete a total of 192 credit points.

• Current Issues in Sport Psychology

  Unit code

  APM5005

  Credits

  8

• Psychological Practice 1: Ethics and Professional Practice

  Unit code

  APM5010

  Credits

  8

• Quantitative Research Methods

  Unit code

  APM5013

  Credits

  12

• Psychological Practice 2: Psychological Assessment

  Unit code

  APM5018

  Credits

  8

• Thesis Research

  Unit code

  APM6030

  Credits

  12

• Qualitative Research Methods

  Unit code

  APM5003

  Credits

  12

• Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology

  Unit code

  APM5008

  Credits

  8

• Practicum 1

  Unit code

  APM5021

  Credits

  8

• Psychological Practice 3: Counselling Theories, Skills and Interventions

  Unit code

  APM6009

  Credits

  8

• Thesis Research

  Unit code

  APM6030

  Credits

  12

• Professional Practice in Applied Sport Psychology

  Unit code

  APM6003

  Credits

  8

• Practicum 2

  Unit code

  APM6021

  Credits

  16

• Extended Thesis Research

  Unit code

  APM6070

  Credits

  12

• Psychological Practice 4s

  Unit code

  APM6045

  Credits

  8

• Practicum 3

  Unit code

  APM6050

  Credits

  16

• Extended Thesis Research

  Unit code

  APM6070

  Credits

  12

AREA OF SPECIALISATION - SPORT, EXERCISE AND ACTIVE LIVING

One of seven designated University Research Centres at Victoria University, ISEAL (Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living) is the largest of the University Research Centres and through research and consultancy, aims to promote the health and wellbeing of the entire community via the medium of physical activity.

It does this by pure and applied research and consultancy work in each of the three areas of exercise science, sport science, and active living:

* Exercise Science - exercise and chronic disease, metabolism and cellular function, neuromuscular function and fatigue;
* Sport Science - nature and nurture, preparation and training, the winning edge, the business of sport; and
* Active Living - moderators of physical activity, sport culture and participation.

ISEAL aims to develop and extend partnerships with government, industry and other institutions in order to conduct mutually beneficial research and consultancy. In carrying out its mission of promoting the health and wellbeing of the entire community through the application of science to sport and exercise science and active living, ISEAL generates programs, consultancy services and opportunities for collaborative research with industry and community groups.

• International: Applicants must have either: (i) An honours degree with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year sequence in psychology or equivalent; or (ii) A pass degree with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited three-year sequence in psychology together with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) fourth-year psychology course or equivalent. Applicants would need to have their relevant studies formally assessed by Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) for equivalency. Applicants will be interviewed to assess suitability for the course. Relevant professional experience will be a substantial factor in selection. IELTS minimum 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) or equivalent.
• Mature: Applicants must have either: (i) An honours degree with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year sequence in psychology or equivalent; or (ii) A pass degree with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited three-year sequence in psychology together with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) fourth-year psychology course or equivalent. Applicants would need to have their relevant studies formally assessed by Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) for equivalency. Applicants will be interviewed to assess suitability for the course. Relevant professional experience will be a substantial factor in selection.