The graduate certificate program in Sport Social Work is only intended for currently admitted Master's and PhD students in the Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior program and Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) - Knoxville Campus Program. This program provides students with the coursework and practical experience needed to provide services for persons involved in athletic and sports related activities, evidence-based interventions, and sports related clinical interventions or program and policy development.
The Graduate Certificate in Sport Social Work (SSW) is designed to equip students in the Sport Psychology & Motor Behavior graduate program and the Master of Science in Social Work program with essential knowledge and skills to support athletes in high-performance and high-pressure contexts. This certificate program integrates key concepts from both sport science and social work to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to enhance athletic performance, address challenges that may impede optimal functioning, and utilizing sport as a method toward improved well-being.
Students will gain insights into important sport science theories and frameworks that underpin optimal athlete performance, as well as identify and manage issues that can disrupt it. Additionally, the program emphasizes critical competencies from social work practice, including promoting social justice, utilizing systemic approaches to improve well-being, and applying evidence-based interventions to support athletes' mental and emotional health.
By completing this certificate, students will be well-prepared to support athletes' overall well-being, advocate for social justice within sports, and implement systemic approaches to enhance both individual and community outcomes in sport settings.
Enrolled University of Tennessee graduate students in the Masters or PhD in Sports Psychology and Motor Behavior program and the Master of Science in Social Work degree program with an interest in supporting athletes’ performance and well-being are eligible to apply for the graduate certificate program.
