Sports Psychologists

Employers

Approximately 207,500 psychologists are employed in the United States, although sports psychologists comprise only a small segment of this number. Sports psychologists are employed by athletes at the amateur, college, or professional level and by owners of professional, college, and private organizations. They may also work at colleges and universities as teachers and researchers.

Starting Out

Along the road toward a Ph.D. or Psy.D., students of all levels can get involved in the research or educational aspects of psychology, either as a volunteer subject or a paid helper. These positions will gradually increase in responsibility and scope as the student's education progresses. Eventually, the student will be eligible for internships that will, in turn, provide valuable contacts in the field.

Graduates can explore job opportunities with a wide variety of employers, from the university research branch of psychology or sport sciences to the world of elite athletes. Finding work with the latter, however, can prove extremely difficult.