MASTER OF SCIENCE SPORT PSYCHOLOGY (MSPSS)

Module Code	Module Name	Description
MSPS500	Personality, Individual Differences and Motivation in Sport	The module explores how an athlete's unique psychological makeup influences their, behavior, performance, and enjoyment of sport. It covers how these factors are formed, measured, and utilized to improve athletic performance and mental well-being. It examines the psychological, emotional, and behavioral traits that differentiate athletes, and how these individual differences—coupled with various motivational, social, and environmental factors—impact participation and success in sport.
MSPS501	Psychological Assessment in Psychology	The module typically covers foundational principles (reliability, validity, ethics), different assessment types (intelligence,personality, aptitude), methods (interviews, observation, testing), and practical application (administration, scoring, report writing), aiming to equip students to gather and integrate data for comprehensive evaluations in clinical, educational, or organizational settings. Key units often include history, cultural/legal issues, psychometrics (norms, reliability, validity), specific domains (intelligence, personality, neuropsychological), and career/business applications, culminating in hands-on practice and report writing.
MSPS502	Advanced Research and Statistics in Sports Psychology	The module seeks to help students acquire a conceptual understanding of the rationale and technique of different qualitative and quantitative approaches in research methodology; and of the rationale and technique of advanced statistical inference approaches, using linear models and other techniques. The module also helps students understand, generate, and critically evaluate results of advanced statistical analyses and outputs of statistical software, as they would be reported in applied and basic psychological literature, and be able to communicate observations to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
MSPS503	Ethics, Professional Practice and Consultancy in Sports Psychology	This module introduces students to legal, ethical and professional issues and standards related to the practice of Sport Psychology. Students will also be familiarised with codes of ethics and ethical guidelines that govern the profession of sport psychology. This includes ethical codes in Zimbabwe and international ones including APA codes. This is meant to ensure students have an appreciation of the global standards applicable. Five major areas to be covered include legal and ethical frameworks, ethical decision-making, standards of practice, supervision and consultation. The learning process adopts a seminar format with special emphasis on the student’s thorough preparation for, and active participation in, class discussions. It is hoped that this course will assist students in their future daily work as professional sport psychologists and will facilitate decision-making and consultation skills when faced with ethical dilemmas.
MSPS504	Skilled Performance Under Pressure	The module typically covers understanding pressure's psychology, diagnosing issues, and applying strategies like situational awareness, cognitive reframing (challenge vs. threat), mental rehearsal, and emotional control (calmness, clarity) to optimize individual/team performance in high-stakes situations, using real-world examples and practical exercises. Key topics include pressure theories, managing reactions, improving decision-making, and building mental toughness through techniques like mindfulness and focusing on process rather than outcome.
MSPS505	Performance Psychology and Management	The module covers foundational theories, psychological skills training (PST) like goal setting, imagery, and focus, and applied strategies for motivation, leadership, managing stress/anxiety, building resilience, and enhancing team dynamics, bridging mental skills with practical performance in sports, business, or other high-pressure fields, often incorporating assessment, research, and ethical considerations for professionals.
MIDSB501	Information Digital Skills for Postgraduates (University Wide Module)	The module introduces students to the use of information technologies and their application in academic research.
MSSRM501	Advanced Social Science Research Methods (Faculty Wide Module)	The module aims to provide advanced skills in research methods for graduate students. It enhances postgraduate students’ knowledge and skills for conducting, analysing and interpreting research in the field of sociology, anthropology and gender studies. The module focuses upon both qualitative and quantitative techniques and the knowledge gained, will be useful for conducting research and as tools for professional practice. The module will also equip learners with the use of digital technologies in data collection, processing, analysis and management. Students to conduct gender sensitive research for the relevant government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and communities to inform gender policies and programming.
MSPS506	Elite Performance, Mental Health and Well-being in Sports	The module covers brain-based training, physical conditioning (strength, power, agility), sport-specific skills, recovery, and mental health and wellness strategies, integrating science with practical application for holistic development, focusing on neurology, movement, nutrition, and psychology for peak results, often using modules like sensory integration, power development, and mental resilience.
MSPS507	The Practice of Sport and Exercise Psychology	The module covers core topics like motivation, anxiety, concentration, and goal setting, focusing on how psychology impacts performance and participation, with practical application through Psychological Skills Training (PST), ethical considerations, and behavioral change models, bridging theory with real-world scenarios for athletes, coaches, and health professionals.
MSPS580	Applied Placement and Practice in Sports Psychology	The module aims to develop students’ ability to plan, prepare, initiate and reflect upon effective applied sport psychology practice with clients. The module addresses topics such as legal requirements, health and safety, reflective practice, safeguarding, working in effective teams and requisite skills for applied sport psychology practice. The module involves placement in appropriate and practical settings through which students can observe and assist with applied practice under supervision.
MSPS570	Dissertation	The dissertation equips students with the competencies required to plan, execute and write an acceptable academic research project in Sport Psychology. Students will be able to gather, analyse, evaluate and apply knowledge and reason and debate in written format a specific topic, recognizing existing research on the topic and integrate appropriate research methodologies into a project.