Critical issues confronting the advancement of applied sport psychology

Despite considerable progress over the last 10 years, applied sport psychol ogy confronts several persistent issues that continue to limit the growth a nd development of the field. Specifically, issues requiring more comprehens ive and proactive attention and initiatives include: the training of gradua te students, the accreditation of graduate programs, the job market, and th e establishment of systematic educational outreach programs. Suggestions ar e offered regarding how enhancements in each of the aforementioned issues c an be initiated, and potential benefits gained by students, faculty, and th e general public are identified and discussed. Given the climate in many ac ademic institutions emphasizing program downsizing, sport psychology may be approaching and confronting one of the most crucial crossroads in its exis tence. Without direct efforts to assure academic credibility and public con fidence in the standards of training and practice, sport psychology may fai l to actualize a meaningful future role in the competitive field of allied health service provision.