The Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) is proud to announce that the University of Western States (UWS) has become the first academic program to earn accreditation through AASP's Graduate Program Accreditation Council (GPAC).

This historic achievement represents a significant milestone for AASP and the field of sport and performance psychology, reflecting the association's ongoing commitment to advancing educational excellence, strengthening professional standards, and preparing the next generation of qualified practitioners.

As the first institution to achieve this distinction, the UWS has set an important precedent for graduate education in the field. Dr. Sarah Castillo, Program Director of Sport and Performance Psychology, led UWS’s accreditation efforts along with support from faculty, administrators, leadership and students.

AASP's accreditation process was established to recognize graduate programs that demonstrate a commitment to rigorous academic preparation, quality education, and the development of professional competencies essential to effective and ethical practice. Accreditation provides students, prospective students, employers, and the broader sport psychology community with an important measure of educational quality and program accountability. The GPAC oversees the accreditation process, evaluating institutions against standards designed to promote high-quality education and training and align with requirements for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) credential. 

Finally, this milestone also marks an exciting new chapter for AASP. As additional institutions pursue accreditation, the association looks forward to expanding the reach and impact of this initiative, further elevating educational standards, and strengthening the future of the profession.

Please join us in congratulating the University of Western States on this important achievement!

To learn more about AASP's graduate program accreditation process, visit:

https://appliedsportpsych.org/graduate-program-accreditation-standards/