Since 2009, the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) have offered continuing education programs grouped under the umbrella of the UNIL-EPFL Continuing Education Program. These programs are delivered by the Institute of Sports Science, part of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences and take place in Lausanne, the Olympic capital. The faculty’s mission to shape the critical minds of tomorrow through rigorous research, ethical teaching, and strong support for the next generation of academics is a key philosophical component of the Sport Psychology programs.

Under the direction of Dr. Roberta Antonini Philippe for the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) and Sport and Performance Psychology Dimensions Program and Prof. Denis Hauw for the DAS & SPP Dimensions Program, three curricula are tailored to three distinct student populations, each meeting the specific needs of sports professionals in different networks such as psychology, sports coaching and physical training. These three programs reach a diverse range of professionals from the sport industry, thus helping to better reflect the structure and reality of sport in Switzerland.

The CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) in Mental Preparation is a 12-month program designed for professionals wishing to become mental trainers for athletes, artists, or musicians. The program welcomes approximately 20 participants per year, all requiring a bachelor’s degree or professional diploma in any field and professional experience related to sports or psychology. The program combines theoretical and practical instruction through three different modules covering skills such as the fundamentals of performance psychology, emotional regulation, motivation, stress and pressure management, attention and concentration, cognitive strategies, competition preparation, and performance routines. Practical workshops allow students to develop these skills in individual and group settings. However, the most important emphasis is students developing professional ethics, scientific rigor, and practical learning. The CAS program is certified by the Swiss Association of Sport Psychology (SASP) and, through assessment, allows students to become a Mental Trainer, a title not typically protected in Switzerland.

The DAS (Diploma of Advanced Studies) in Sport Psychology is a three-year program for 16 to 20 selected students who have a master’s degree in psychology or sports science. The program covers advanced theories in sport psychology, methods for assessing and monitoring athletes’ psychological well-being, mental development in performance, individual and group interventions, the prevention of psychosocial risks, sports management and the promotion of safe sport. The training includes a practical internship with athletes and a dissertation, allowing students to apply the scientific methods and evidence-based approaches acquired. The DAS is recognized by the Swiss Federation of Psychologists and protects the title of SportPsychologist in Switzerland.

Finally, the Sport and Psychological Dimensions Program is a shorter, 35-hour program designed for coaches, physical trainers, and other sports professionals. This program does not include a practical internship but allows participants to develop concrete tools to integrate psychology into their daily work with athletes. Courses are spread over five days, generally over several months, and cover topics such as emotional management, motivation, and communication. A certificate of participation is issued upon completion of the program. UNIL and EPFL are promoting the idea of rigorous academic training, based on theoretical approaches and evidence-based methods for the professionalization of mental trainers and sport psychologists in Switzerland. The goal of these courses is to train, certify and support the continuing education of sports mental health and mental performance professionals. These recent and dynamic programs provide a change in sports federations and promote the integration of psychology in sports clubs, both amateur and professional organizations. Together, this contributes to better psychological management of athletes in Switzerland.