The Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology (SEPP) program started in Fall 2020. The SEPP program is a two-year master’s graduate program that is housed in the Psychology Department at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (UWGB). SEPP students complete 39 credits over four academic semesters with three of those credits being completed during one summer course between the first and second year in the program. Students generally take 9 credits per semester (and 3 credits during the summer session). The SEPP program is exclusively offered in-person, although some electives offered outside of the SEPP program may be online and the one SEPP summer class is online. SEPP students can expect to complete the vast majority of their SEPP coursework on campus at UWGB. The SEPP program offers two curriculum tracks: Course-based and Applied.
The Course-based Track provides students with SEPP-related coursework and opportunities that contribute to knowledge and skills in performance psychology, mental performance, leadership, and coaching. Acquired SEPP knowledge and skills can be used to inform careers in coaching, athletic administration, health and wellness promotion, sport development, athletic advising, and other performance settings.
- The core Course-Based Track SEPP coursework is designed to align with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology’s (AASP) guidelines for the foundational knowledge areas that are required to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®). Thus, the Course-based Track can be a good fit for students who are interested in completing the foundational CMPC coursework yet not quite ready to pursue applied sport and performance psychology service delivery.
- The Course-based Track curriculum includes 9 credits of electives that provide students the opportunity to tailor their educational pathway to their individual interests and goals. For example, students interested in coaching may elect to take graduate level coaching courses that are offered in the Education department. Students interested in gaining applied SEPP research experience may elect to take independent study credits with SEPP and PSYCH faculty to engage in research and scholarly activities. Often, students who are interested in pursuing a doctorate degree (PhD, PsyD) in clinical, counseling, or sport psychology will need significant research experience to be a well-rounded doctoral applicant. The Course-based Track provides students with elective coursework to accomplish this. Electives in the form of independent study projects can also be tailored to fit the needs and interests of Course-based Track students. Students are encouraged to speak with faculty about various independent study opportunities. The SEPP program offers various outreach experiences where students can participate in SEPP-related psychoeducational presentations and workshops. In their last semester, Course-based Track students complete a culminating project that illustrates their participation in and accomplishments in the SEPP program learning outcomes.
The Applied Track provides students with SEPP-related coursework and opportunities that contribute to knowledge and skills in performance psychology, mental performance, leadership, and coaching while also providing applied performance psychology consulting experience via the sequence of practicum courses.
- The Applied Track is tailored for individuals who want to work directly with athletes, performers, and other clients to enhance their mental performance. This track may be ideal for students who are interested in becoming a CMPC® as it provides the AASP aligned coursework mentioned above and also provides supervised practicum hours required for certification. While students may not earn all of the supervised practicum hours required for certification during their time in the SEPP program, the sequence of practicum courses and quality supervision contribute to significant progress toward the required hours.
- Whereas Course-based Track students complete 9 credits of electives, Applied Track students complete 9 credits of practicum: 3 credits of a pre-practicum course that prepares students for the applied consulting experience and 6 credits of practicum courses where students are engaging in the applied consulting experience with athletes and performers. Students take Practicum I in the fall semester of their second year and Practicum II in the spring semester of their second year. In their last semester, Applied Track students complete a culminating project that illustrates their participation in and accomplishments in the CMPC® task domains.
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By: Dr. Joanna Morrissey, Chair of the Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology Program
