Master's Degree Programme in Sport and Exercise Promotion

The SportPro programme provides both research and practice oriented master’s level education for future experts in the field of social and behavioral sciences of sport with two optional areas of specialisation: Social Sciences of Sport or Sport Psychology.

The programme provides students with
- research-based, interdisciplinary and high quality teaching
- an individualised study plan
- practical experience in the field
- an international study environment
- networking with the fellow students and experts
- a possibility for a double degree from two network universities (in sport psychology)

Structure of studies
The programme consists of 120 ECTS credits spread over two years of full-time academic study. Each student will draft an individualised study plan in co-operation with the programme staff. The programme emphasises collaborative learning, supporting the autonomy of the students, and developing social and personal skills. To this end, the programme utilises action-oriented, student-centred and collaborative teaching methods. The study programme consists of general common studies (32-35 ECTS credits), major-specific specialication studies (73-74 ECTS credits, including the Master's Thesis) and optional studies (at least 9-13 ECTS credits).

Aside from the regular programme modules the Master’s programme also gives students the opportunity to complete an internship/practicum period, gaining valuable experience and expertise to increase their career opportunities upon graduation. These can also be completed abroad. Practicum is an ambitious element in the programme. All students participate and get hands on experience in the professional field. Employers and the professional sector have been associated with our course. For example, sport and health organisations, research institutes, business companies, and sport clubs offer practicum placements, and opportunities for thesis and projects work. Some students in sport psychology have also an option to obtain a double master’s degree by including a mobility period (30 ECTS cr.) in their studies, completed at the University of Thessaly, Greece.

Final project
The Master's thesis is an essential part of the programme and it will be prepared during the whole two years of the programme. The scope of the thesis is 30 ECTS credits.

Career opportunities
There is an increasing demand for experts in the field of sport and exercise. In social sciences of sport this master’s programme qualifies graduates to enter the working life, specialising e.g. in sport development and other expertise positions in public, voluntary and private sectors. Previous and current students in the programme have been employed e.g. in the management positions of major international sport events and as leading experts in sports departments of cities and municipalities or experts in sport organisations.

Graduates from sport psychology will be employed in the private and public sectors as, for example, psychological health and well-being consultants, performance enhancement consultants, or academic researchers in sport and exercise psychology.Sport and health organisations, business companies, sport clubs, and research institutes have offered job opportunities for previous students.

Qualification
The graduates receive a Master of Sport Sciences degree (major in Social Sciences of Sport or major in Sport and Exercise Psychology).

Internationalization
International and multicultural aspects are the corner stones of the programme. The students come from all over the world and also the teachers have a great deal of international experience. During the studies the students will be exposed to situations where they will learn intercultural interaction skills in addition to subject related skills.

Co-operation with other parties
The programme invites numerous experts from various organisations to share their knowledge and experience with the students concerning working in the field of sport and health. The students will also be connected with the graduates from the programme to learn where they have been working after graduating from the programme and what kind of advice they would give to the current students to benefit the most of the studies. The programme enhances alumni activities and networking with experts in the fields.

Postgraduate study opportunities
This master’s programme qualifies graduates to continue studying to PhD level. As the programme is research-oriented, many of our graduates have continued to PhD studies mainly in the field of Sport Sciences or Health Sciences.

The Master graduate of Master's Degree Programme in Sport and Excercise Promotion
- is familiar with advanced concepts, current research findings, theories and research methods of his/her major
- has the ability to employ a systematic conceptual approach to gathering, analysing and disseminating knowledge
- has the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to analyse and solve concrete problems in one’s are of specialisation, and is able to work as a researcher in social sciences of sport, SEP or public health research laboratories and higher education institutions
- understands the societal nature of sport and exercise and is able to validate the societal meaning and importance of sport
- is familiar with public, private or third sectors and has the ability to work in an expert position in an international environment
- is competent in translating research evidence into practice, and is aware of the ethical dilemmas and moral problems concerning the field of sport and exercise
- has the ability to consider ethical viewpoints in one’s actions and is motivated to act in a responsible manner, respecting the values of humanity, nature, equality and multiculturality.

In addition the Master graduate in sport psychology
- has the ability to critically evaluate and use scientific literature to enhance physical activity and sport behaviour
- has an in-depth understanding of the processes governing emotion, cognition and behaviour in the psychology of sport and exercise
- has the ability to facilitate performance with populations in the sports arena and psychological attributes such as well-being
- has the ability to design and evaluate communal sport interventions with a cross-cultural perspective.

In addition the Master graduate in social sciences of sport
- has the ability to observe, understand and explain phenomena related to sport culture
- is familiar with the social practices of sport and understands the effect of societal changes on the branch of sport and exercise
- has an in-depth understanding on the effects of an individual’s behaviour and choices on the field of sport and exercise and on the significance of sport culture in society
- has the ability to evaluate the effects of societal decision-making on the branch of sport and exercise and on the sport culture as a whole.