CASCE Accreditation

Practioner Knowledge, Athlete Safety, And Industry Credibility

Gaining accreditation not only benefits the accredited program, but also its students and the industry as a whole. Accreditation strengthens admissions recruitment efforts and enrollment growth. Prospective students can be confident in the quality of the accredited program they choose, and the industry gains a well-prepared and qualified workforce.

Even more importantly, accreditation truly matters because even a minimum standard of education and practical experience for practitioners will help keep athletes safe. For example, standardization could eliminate the increasing prevalence of exertional rhabdomyolysis that has been reported during strength and conditioning sessions in college football. The following excerpt is from The NCAA's Interassociation Recommendations: Preventing Catastrophic Injury and Death in Collegiate Athletes:

"Since 2007, 57 NCAA collegiate athletes have been reported as suffering from exertional rhabdomyolysis in nine team outbreaks representing eight different institutions, with 51 of the afflicted athletes requiring hospitalization.[…]. Team outbreaks of exertional rhabdomyolysis in NCAA athletes have similarities of irrationally intense workouts designed and conducted by coaches and/or strength and conditioning professionals."

The NSCA and CASCE leadership believe our responsibility as the gatekeepers of our profession is to provide highly qualified individuals, and accreditation of the CSCS is a critical step toward that goal.  

The Future of the Field of Strength and Conditioning

The NCAA has been taking active steps to minimize the number of both traumatic and nontraumatic catastrophic injuries in collegiate athletics. By 2016, every NCAA division required that strength and conditioning professionals be certified by a strength and conditioning program that is either fully accredited or nationally recognized.

While this is not a mandate for accredited degree programs, these legislative changes demonstrate outward facing affirmation by the NCAA that policy change needs to take place in order to ensure student athlete health and safety. The best approach to ensure athlete safety is through quality education and knowledge.

The NSCA and CASCE leadership believes it is our responsibility as the gatekeepers of our profession to help institutions provide highly qualified individuals. Accreditation of  strength and conditioning educational programs is a critical step toward that goal.