Launch your career in sports psychology with an
M.S. in Sport and Human Performance

Prepare to serve in a wide range of athletic training and wellness environments with a Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance from Adler University. This dynamic program offers:

  • Applied training: Spend 8-15 months at sites around Chicago providing mental skills training in various sport environments.
  • Personalized mentorship: Work with faculty who are leading practitioners in the field and learn from their professional insights.
  • Certification preparation: Pursue specialized courses and gain practical experience to prepare for AASP or CMPC certification.

Learn with us in Chicago, Illinois, to earn your sports science master’s and graduate prepared for advanced roles in the field that allow you to follow your passion in your profession.

Master’s (M.S.) in Sport and Human Performance

Get to know the program

Advance your career as a practitioner and consultant with a comprehensive foundation of theory and practical experience. As you build a comprehensive understanding of theories and methods in exercise science and performance enhancement, you’ll develop practical, career-ready skills that enhance your professional impact. Our program prepares you to work in a wide variety of fields, including:

  • Youth sport academies and clubs.
  • Professional sport organizations.
  • Military organizations.

You can also pursue our dual M.S. in Sport and Human Performance and M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, which provides a foundation of clinical mental health and mental skills training. Build the interdisciplinary skills you need to work in a wide range of fields, helping clients who struggle with everything from chronic mental illness to achieving peak athletic performance.

Experience the city that works

Learn in the heart of the city and build your network in one of the world’s largest health and nonprofit hubs. By engaging directly with leading organizations and community partners, you’ll connect classroom learning to real-world practice and gain the experience to lead with confidence and courage.

Through this program, you’ll work at clinical sites around the Chicago area for 8-15 months to build practical skills and accumulate hours necessary for Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification.

Portrait of Felix Yu
“Those years at Adler were very formative, and they've continued to inform my life and work at the Chicago Fire Football Club and Chicago Fire Academy."
— Felix Yu '18,
Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance

The Adlerian theory

Adler University is named for Alfred Adler, the founder of Adlerian Psychology and an early voice in recognizing the connection between individual well-being and community life. His emphasis on social interest, purposeful action, and the importance of belonging continues to shape the University’s academic model.

We carry his legacy forward through:

  • A holistic approach to health and the conditions that shape people’s lives.
  • Active engagement with communities, organizations, and systems.
  • Deep preparation for meaningful, lasting contributions to the world.

This work calls for more than knowledge — it demands commitment, courage, and connection. We do not do for ourselves but for all.

Learn more about Alfred Adler

Graduate ready to make an impact

At Adler, learning happens where change is needed most. Internships and real-world practicums turn knowledge into action — whether in organizations, agencies, or community settings. Every student completes a 200-hour Social Justice Practicum, partnering with community organizations to address systemic barriers to health and well-being. For those pursuing licensure, additional clinical practica offer deeper, specialized training.

Along the way, faculty mentors who are experienced and deeply invested guide each learner through personal and professional growth. They foster meaningful connections and challenge assumptions, offering thoughtful insight, field-specific expertise, and the guidance needed to align academic work with long-term goals, navigate complexity, and lead with purpose.

Take the next step.

Let us know how best to get in touch so we can share more about how the Adler experience can transform your future.

Request Information

Thanks for your interest in Adler University!

We’ll be in touch with more information soon. In the meantime, learn more about us and how we can help you reach your goals. Or if you’re ready to take the next step, we invite you to apply today!

Apply Today

Master’s (M.S.) in Sport and Human Performance

Get to know the program

Advance your career as a practitioner and consultant with a comprehensive foundation of theory and practical experience. As you build a comprehensive understanding of theories and methods in exercise science and performance enhancement, you’ll develop practical, career-ready skills that enhance your professional impact. Our program prepares you to work in a wide variety of fields, including:

  • Youth sport academies and clubs.
  • Professional sport organizations.
  • Military organizations.

You can also pursue our dual M.S. in Sport and Human Performance and M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, which provides a foundation of clinical mental health and mental skills training. Build the interdisciplinary skills you need to work in a wide range of fields, helping clients who struggle with everything from chronic mental illness to achieving peak athletic performance.

Experience the city that works

Learn in the heart of the city and build your network in one of the world’s largest health and nonprofit hubs. By engaging directly with leading organizations and community partners, you’ll connect classroom learning to real-world practice and gain the experience to lead with confidence and courage.

Through this program, you’ll work at clinical sites around the Chicago area for 8-15 months to build practical skills and accumulate hours necessary for Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification.

Explore Chicago

Discover our home in Chicago

Launch Campus Tour Experience
Portrait of Felix Yu
“Those years at Adler were very formative, and they've continued to inform my life and work at the Chicago Fire Football Club and Chicago Fire Academy."
— Felix Yu '18,
Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance

The Adlerian theory

Adler University is named for Alfred Adler, the founder of Adlerian Psychology and an early voice in recognizing the connection between individual well-being and community life. His emphasis on social interest, purposeful action, and the importance of belonging continues to shape the University’s academic model.

We carry his legacy forward through:

  • A holistic approach to health and the conditions that shape people’s lives.
  • Active engagement with communities, organizations, and systems.
  • Deep preparation for meaningful, lasting contributions to the world.

This work calls for more than knowledge — it demands commitment, courage, and connection. We do not do for ourselves but for all.

Learn more about Alfred Adler

Graduate ready to make an impact

At Adler, learning happens where change is needed most. Internships and real-world practicums turn knowledge into action — whether in organizations, agencies, or community settings. Every student completes a 200-hour Social Justice Practicum, partnering with community organizations to address systemic barriers to health and well-being. For those pursuing licensure, additional clinical practica offer deeper, specialized training.

Along the way, faculty mentors who are experienced and deeply invested guide each learner through personal and professional growth. They foster meaningful connections and challenge assumptions, offering thoughtful insight, field-specific expertise, and the guidance needed to align academic work with long-term goals, navigate complexity, and lead with purpose.

Start your Adler journey — apply today!

This is your moment. Take the next step and advance your professional goals today. Submit your application to Adler with:

  • No GRE requirement.
  • Merit-based scholarship opportunities.
  • Dedicated application support.

Questions? We’re here to help!

If there is anything we can do to support you at this time, please send us an email or give us a call.