Education
We offer a broad array of educational resources and events, including position statements, NSCA Sports Nutrition Education Program, information on combating anabolic steroid abuse, a speaker resource network, and clinics on a variety of topics. Many of our resources, including NSCA’s Performance Training Journal, TSAC Report are free to the public. There are additional resources that are available to members only, such as online forums and discussion groups, and our professional and research journals.
I have been a member of the NSCA since 1985. The NSCA has provided me with not only quality education and educational opportunities, it has also given me the ability to interact with some of the world’s most recognized authorities in the field of strength and conditioning. As a practicing Physical Therapist, the knowledge that I have gained through the NSCA and its members has greatly enhanced my sports medicine rehabilitation knowledge base. I have been able to integrate these principles into my clinical practice with outstanding results. I strongly encourage any rehabilitation professionals to become involved in the NSCA.
—Jeff L Fahrenbruch, MPT, CSCS,*D
Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Opportunities
We host numerous conferences, clinics, and symposia that provide CEU opportunities. If you find it difficult to travel to a hosted event, you can participate in one of our many online learning courses, offered in cooperation with Human Kinetics. In addition, each issue of Strength and Conditioning Journal features a quiz that can be submitted for CEUs. The CEUs that you earn through these sources are good toward renewing your CSCS or NSCA-CPT certification.
Recognized Schools
The NSCA’s Education Recognition Program (ERP) recognizes regional accredited academic institutions of higher education with programs in strength and conditioning that have met the guidelines set by the NSCA. It specifically provides recognition that the institution has met, and continues to meet, minimal requirements, and emphasizes anaerobic conditioning and training within the specified curriculum.
The ERP has allowed us to demonstrate our commitment to providing and continuing to develop formalized educational opportunities to prospective strength and conditioning professionals. As the field continues to evolve, we are convinced that our status as one of NSCA recognized schools will uniquely position us to stay ahead of the curve and alter our program as necessary. It is a powerful recruiting tool to be able to say that your institution is recognized by the NSCA.
—Toby J. Brooks, PhD, ATC/L, CSCS, University of Texas at El Paso
Having been a member of the NSCA since 1978 and a past president, I have seen the growth of this organization and the profession. The NSCA's Education Recognition Program is a big step forward in the goal to make the practice of strength and conditioning a knowledge based program practiced by exercise professionals with appropriate academic training. This starts with a rigorous curriculum to provide the student with the educational base that supports the development of real professionals. Our program here in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut proudly displays our ERP credentials as this program recognition by the NSCA gives our program outside credibility. It recognizes unique development of a specifically designed major in strength and conditioning within our exercise science program. It has been a distinct honor to have our program recognized by the NSCA in such a manner. I feel that all educational programs who seek to truly educate strength and conditioning professionals to cope with the plethora of mythologies in the world of conditioning today should seek to gain this professional recognition for their program.
—William J. Kraemer, PhD, CSCS, University of Connecticut
Earning recognition from the NSCA has been instrumental in recruiting new students as well as proving to potential employers, recruiters, and strength and conditioning professionals alike that we truly have a sound strength and conditioning curriculum.
—David Sandler, MS, CSCS,*D, Florida International University
Student Assistantship
Up to five members each year receive up to $10,000 to serve as an assistant to an experienced strength coach. Because there are relatively few opportunities for college graduates to gain practical experience in the field and learn from experienced mentors, this program provides the much-needed support to set new careers in motion. To fill out an online application or to downloand an application please click here.
