Master's Degree Programme in Psychology of Physical Activity, Health and Well-Being

This Master's Programme provides research- and practice-oriented education for future experts in the fields of Sport and Exercise Psychology, with a strong emphasis on behavior change. The programme covers the most recent evidence on links between various forms of physical activity and health and well-being outcomes, as well as current theoretical views on the psychological, social and environmental factors that influence health-related behaviors and athletic performance. Students will learn how to assess the intervention needs of individuals and groups, and how to systematically apply theories to develop, implement and evaluate interventions to increase motivation, change behavior, and improve group cohesion, sporting performance and well-being. This equips students to address global physical activity, health and well-being challenges, and teaches transferable problem-focused, communication and evidence translation skills that are applicable and in demand across a range of disciplines and sectors. The programme includes a practicum period which provides students the opportunity to practice these skills in a real-world setting of their choosing, for example, within healthcare facilities, private companies, sports clubs or teams, training centers or academia. Graduates from the programme will have employment possibilities in private, public and third sector organizations as, for example, psychological health and well-being specialists, mental coaches, consultants, health promotion program developers or academic researchers.

Upon completion of the PsyAct program, students will be able to do the following:

Strong competence and academic expertise in one’s field

• Demonstrate deep knowledge of prominent theories in sport and exercise psychology
• Accurately assess the factors underlying sport- and health-related behaviors of individuals and groups
• Apply theoretical knowledge to develop and implement interventions to increase motivation, change behavior, improve sporting performance and promote well-being.

Developing working life skills as part of studies

• Effectively communicate in both written and spoken forms
• Develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships
• Critically evaluate academic literature
• Analyze existing problems and devise solutions for them
• Display an appetite for lifelong learning and personal development
•  Display basic skills in entrepreneurship and marketing ones skills and abilities

International competence and teaching in a foreign language

• Effectively tailor communication to people from different language and cultural groups
• Responsible expertise
• Demonstrate the principles of responsible, professional and ethical behavior
• Understand the limits of their competence and work within them

Multidisciplinary and broad-based competence

• Cooperate effectively with people from different backgrounds as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Build relationships with other professionals in the field and professionals in other fields
• Describe how the core themes of sport and exercise psychology can benefit the work done in other sectors