11824_JFKU_Catalog Front Cover.indd - John F. Kennedy University

College of Graduate and Professional Studiesoptimal performance, at-risk youth, and group dynamics. ecounseling skills courses include theoretical and experientiallearning in fundamental counseling skills, group dynamics,psychopathology, and cross-cultural dynamics. Students also studythe fundamentals of consultation and the theories and techniquesof problem solving processes. Students learn how to develop theirown consultation practice.internship Overviewe internships in the Sport Psychology Program are a keycomponent of the educational process. e fieldwork experience isat the heart of the program. It allows students to gain a hands-oneducation in the role of being a professional in the field of SportPsychology. Because of the importance placed on the internships,a student should approach this aspect of the program with awillingness to structure his or her experience in a manner that willoptimize the educational value.e internships will help students:• Learn how to teach performance enhancement techniques inan applied setting;• Increase awareness of the interpersonal relationships betweenthemselves and their clients;• Learn to be aware of their personal style and approach;• Learn to integrate theories and techniques of sport psychologyinto diverse settings;• Learn how to conduct oneself as a professional in the areas offlexibility, accountability, ethical behavior, and responsibility;• Become skilled in educating potential clients on the benefits ofsport psychology skills and securing an internship site;• Network with others in the field as well as with potentialemployers; and• Use Sport Psychology techniques with clients as both life skillsand mental training skills for sport.Project OptionsAll students have a choice of one of the following options:• Research Project: an original thesis that leads to a researchpaper of publishable quality; or• Applied Project: an applied project that culminates in anapplied paper of publishable quality, plus four additionalelective units, totaling 8 units of electives in the MA program.Life enhancement through athletic and academicParticipation Projecte mission of the Life Enhancement through Athletic andAcademic Participation project (LEAP) is to help at-risk childrenand adolescents to succeed in school and life. e “hook” of theLEAP project is participation in interactive and non-traditionalgames or in organized sports. LEAP uses sport participation as acatalyst to help youth learn more effective life skills and copingtechniques. Participation in the LEAP Project is available tostudents proximal to the Pleasant Hill Campus.e LEAP project provides a bridge to opportunity by helpingyouth:• Improve personal decision making;• Recognize choices have consequences;• Promote personal responsibility and accountability;• Improve positive self-concept, self-worth, and self-confidence;• Learn skills to deal with anger and frustration in appropriateways;• Learn to work together to solve problems; and• Learn the discipline necessary to be successful in sports, school,and life.Who LEAP Works With• Student Athletes. e LEAP project works with high schoolstudent-athletes. e overall goal of the LEAP project is to workwith athletic teams on the field and in the classroom helpingstudents, teachers, and coaches build a positive environmentwhere learning is possible. rough working with the athleticteams, the LEAP project provides students with an opportunityto receive academic support and life-skills education and in theathletic arena to learn team-building skills and sport psychologytechniques to improve their performance on the field.• Challenge Camp. e LEAP Challenge Camp works with youthat Orin Allen youth Rehabilitation Facility (OAyRF). e corephilosophy of the LEAP Challenge Camp is to help juvenileoffenders focus on their future. rough an interactive gamesenvironment, the LEAP Challenge Camp provides youth withan opportunity to build social skills; learn cooperation,communication and listening skills; to practice problem-solving,decision-making and planning skills; and to learn appropriateoutlets for anger and stress.• Sport Specific Camp. e LEAP Sport Specific Camp focuseson working with youth in sport. e camps provide anopportunity for youth to learn mental strategies that they canuse both in the sporting arena and in their life. Team building,communication and group problem solving skills, positiveself-talk, and goal setting are the focal point of the camp. eseskills are taught to the youth through participation in their sportand then transferred to the classroom and their life.NOTE: Challenge Camp and Sport Camp happen in the summerquarter only.Portfoliois project involves the students developing a portfolio of theirwork as consultants. is should include at least: one case studyfrom their work; their model of practice; a marketing plan; areflective practice element; and the completed Association forApplied Sport Psychology (AASP) application form. e Portfoliowould be used and assessed directly in the comprehensive oralexamination and should be sent to the examiners at least two weeksbefore the exam.admission requirementsIn addition to the University requirements listed previously in thiscatalog, applicants to the Sport Psychology program must submitthe following:• Official transcripts from bachelor conferring institution and anypost-bachelor credits (including other master’s degrees). Withrare exceptions, a 3.0 GPA is required for admission;• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.(International applicants to the program must have theequivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.);• A personal statement, no longer than four double-spaced,typewritten pages. e statement should reflect the applicant’sinterest in the field of sport psychology and rationale forapplying to this program;• ree letters of recommendation which attest to the applicant’ssuitability for the program are required; and• An interview with the Program Chair or a member of the corefaculty is required.College of Graduate andProfessional StudiesJOHN F. KENNEDy UNIvERSITy College of Graduate and Professional Studies 113