The Psychology of Physical Culture and Sports
37.04.01 In russian
Level of education Master
Type of instruction Full-time
Duration 2 years
Programme description
The programme provides theoretical and practical knowledge of sports psychology and physical culture. This will make it possible to solve applied social and psychological issues: within physical culture and sports teams (psychological climate in a team, conflicts with a coach, etc.); and in the field of organising sporting and entertainment events (psychology of a fan and a spectator).
Main academic courses
- Current Issues in the Psychology of Physical Culture and Sports
- Methods of Psychological Self-Regulation in Sports and Health–Improving Activities
- Mental States of an Athlete
- Psychological Aid to Sportsmen with Disabilities
- Psychological Support for Athletes
- Psychology of Child and Youth Sports
- Personality Psychology of Athletes
- Psychology of Interpersonal Interaction in Sports
- Psychology of Management and Marketing in Sports and Recreation Activities
- Sports Fan Psychology
- Psychology of Sports Career
- Coach Psychology
Our advantages
- This unique programme is implemented on the basis of one of the leading psychological schools of thought in the Russian Federation, which has vast research credentials. Training courses are designed taking into account interdisciplinarity and offer the acquisition of universal competencies provided for by the St Petersburg University Educational Standard.
- The programme provides the possibility of mastering applied skills within the framework of practical courses in the format of workshops, role playing games, case studies, and at various bases for practical training. These include: Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health; Gazprom Academy of the football club ‘Zenit’; and the Rowing club ‘Energy’ to name just a few.
- Among the teaching staff of the programme are teachers with many years of practical experience, including work in national teams in various sports and leading sports clubs; and teachers who are actively involved in research activities, including those supported by grants.
- The programme is designed to train psychologists who are capable of working not only in sports, but also in other types of physical culture such as: physical education; outdoor activities; and rehabilitation and adapted physical education. This approach conforms to international standards (of the USA and EU countries), which also significantly expands the employment opportunities of graduates.
International relations
- Vilnius University (Lithuania)
- Yale University (the USA)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway)
- Aarhus University (Denmark)
- The Plovdiv University Paisii Hilendarski (Bulgaria)
- The University of Zaragoza (Spain)
- Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski (Bulgaria)
- The University of Beira Interior (Portugal)
- Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania)
- Universität Hamburg (Germany)
- The University of Delaware (the USA)
- The University of Minho (Portugal)
- The University of Portsmouth (Great Britain)
- The University of Santiago de Compostela - USC (Spain)
- Tohoku University (Japan)
- The University of Houston (the USA)
- The University of Edinburgh (Great Britain)
- The Jagiellonian University (Poland)
Main areas of research
- The personality of an athlete: the formation of sports important qualities (motives, mental determination, etc.)
- Cognitive processes in sports activities
- Mental states during training and competitions
- Psychological factors of success in sports: athletic ability and personalised training
- Sports career: crises, psychological assistance, modelling
- Psychological features of youth sports
- The sports coach: personality and work specifics
- Communication, interaction and team building in sports
- Physical training and sport as factors in the formation of a healthy lifestyle
- Adaptive sports: psychological factors and challenges
- Sports fans
- Psychological assistance to athletes, coaches and parents of young athletes
Career opportunities
- Consultant in health care centres: health resorts, disease screening and prevention centres, psychological relief rooms, and recovery and rehabilitation centres.
- Consultant of management and marketing departments in the field of sports and physical education
- Research associate at research institutes and laboratories for sports psychology, sports psychophysiology, etc.
- Educational psychologist at a sports school for children's and young people
- Educational psychologist at an Olympic reserve school
- Psychology teacher at colleges and universities
- Psychologist in sports and health facilities for people with disabilities
- Psychologist of the Russian national sports team
- Sports club psychologist
- Psychologist in a fitness centre (fitness clubs, ballroom and contemporary dance studios, aqua aerobics clubs, etc.)
- Associate of administrative physical culture and sports institutions (committees in government agencies, departments of societies for disabled people, etc.)
- Associate of the services for the preparation and support of sports and sports and entertainment events