Sports Counseling Certification

During the last several decades there has been a dramatic rise in collegiate sports, and with it an unfortunate rise in student athletes developing psychological and psycho-social problems resulting from excess pressure, exploitation, substance abuse and a sense of entitlement. Sports counseling is a means to address those problems.

  1. Sports Counselor Background

    • Sports counselors are primarily counselors with additional specialized training.

      Most sports counselors are first and foremost counselors, trained professionals with a degree in counseling or sports psychology and with some background or experience in physical training and education. Ideally, a sports counselor is intimately familiar with the sport or sports in which his student-athletes perform.

    Sports Counselor Role

    • Sports counselors need to help student athletes plan for life beyond sports.

      The sports counselor works with student athletes to deal with a variety of pressures and psychological or personal problems and also counsels them on life planning and preparation. Counselors help and guide them to make informed decisions about their education and their future beyond the sporting arena.

    Sports Counseling Certificate

    • California University of Pennsylvania offers a sports counseling certificate program is available online.

      California University of Pennsylvania offers a Graduate Certificate in Sports Counseling that is fully available online. It is designed for professional counselors or those in training as well as educators or others seeking specialized training to work with student athletes. The only program of its kind, the certification curriculum focuses on the underlying need for sports counseling, its background and the abilities and knowledge necessary to function as a sports counselor.