Doctoral Program
"Sports Psychology"

Field of Higher Education: 7. HEALTHCARE AND SPORT

Professional Direction: 7.6. SPORT

Educational and Scientific Degree: DOCTOR (PhD)

Doctoral Program: SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY

Forms of Education: Full-time / Part-time / Independent study

Duration of Study: 3 (4) years

Total Number of Credits: 181 ECTS

Head of the Doctoral Program: Prof. Tatyana Iancheva, DSc

The purpose of training in the doctoral program “Sports Psychology” is to provide specialists for the needs of the academic and non-academic environment who have acquired systematic theoretical and specialized training, high research potential, and the skills and competencies to apply their qualifications in the field of sport, physical education, and sports psychology.

The need for training specialists with the Educational and Scientific Degree “Doctor” stems from:

  1. High modern requirements to provide a scientifically substantiated basis for the development of the sports system, training, and competitive activity through scientific research for the continuous deepening of theoretical knowledge and its understanding and application.
  2. Increasing demand for qualification-specific knowledge, skills, and competencies on the labor market.
  3. Ensuring scientific and academic continuity of personnel in accordance with trends and perspectives in the scientific field.
  4. Defining the “Doctor” degree as the highest level of formal education within the framework of “lifelong learning” and the training of specialists capable of contributing to academic and professional progress in a knowledge-based society.

Competencies and Skills Developed

Doctoral students in the “Sports Psychology” program master modern theoretical knowledge in their scientific specialty and in the topic of their dissertation thesis, acquired through acquaintance with scientific literature, participation in scientific forums, and involvement in projects.

They master modern methods and skills for scientific research and analysis, independent planning and realization of a research project, consistency, and stability in scientific activity.

They develop and apply new ideas in scientific research, contributing to expanding the boundaries of knowledge in the relevant scientific field. Parts of their work are published at national or international levels.

They acquire the ability to competently interpret experimental data, critically analyze, synthesize, and evaluate new ideas in the researched field, as well as formulate and justify conclusions and concepts.

They develop communication skills in professional and social environments, acquiring a range of transferable knowledge and skills.

Professional Realization

The professional career paths of doctoral students from the doctoral program “Sports Psychology” can be in:

  • Universities and research institutes as researchers and lecturers.
  • Centers for researching problems related to sports psychology, sports, and physical education.
  • Educational and sports institutions for the practical application of the qualification.
  • Administrative structures related to the management of education, sports, and healthcare.
  • International institutions aimed at establishing partnerships and developing joint international initiatives in sports and sports education.
  • Institutions, including mass media and higher education institutions, for promoting scientific degrees and providing objective analysis of current problems in the field of sports education, public health, and sporting events.

Scroll to Top