Education Recognition Program

The NSCA Education Recognition Program (ERP) recognizes regionally accredited academic institutions for their educational programs that have met, and continue to meet, educational guidelines recommended by the NSCA. ERP recognitions are good for three years and schools are eligible for renewal following this three-year period.

The ERP consists of three separate recognitions:

The ERP Strength and Conditioning Program

This program recognizes colleges and universities that offer at least a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in strength and conditioning. 

The ERP Graduate Studies Program

This program recognizes colleges and universities that offer at least a Master’s degree related to strength and conditioning and/or sport performance. There are two related levels of recognition available – applied curriculum and research curriculum. Schools can apply for either level of recognition, or both.  

The ERP Personal Training Program

This program recognizes colleges and universities that offer two and four-year educational programs in personal training.  

To download applications and obtain specific program details please use the tabs found at the top of the page.

The exceptional benefits that schools receive as ERP recognized schools include:

• $25 discount on the CSCS and/or NSCA-CPT exam registration fee for students
• $25 will be provided to the academic department for each NSCA student exam registration
• A searchable listing and link to your school’s program on the NSCA’s Website
• Listing in the NSCA Bulletin, a membership newsletter that is distributed to Professional and Associate Members, will feature your school’s distinction in the ERP
• NSCA Recognition Logos to highlight your school’s achievement; for use on school-approved forms, documents, or recruiting materials
• A matted certificate for display of the ERP distinction at your school
• Up to three complimentary career postings (graduate assistantships, internships, faculty positions, etc.) on the NSCA.com Career Resources page for the three-year recognition period 

FEATURING THE NEWEST BENEFIT TO CURRENT ERP SCHOOLS

The NSCA now offers the opportunity for ERP schools to host an Exam Prep Symposium (EPS), which is designed to provide students a review course containing the most relevant CSCS and NSCA-CPT exam content. Not only does this provide students an added opportunity to prepare for the NSCA exams, but this also provides a revenue opportunity to the hosting the school. As an NSCA EPS Host School you will also receive:

• Preferred EPS approval
• A discounted EPS rate for students
• Click here for upcoming Exam Prep Symposium events

To download applications and obtain specific program details please use the tabs found at the top of the page.

General Information and Requirements:

The NSCA ERP Personal Training Program recognizes colleges and universities that offer two and four-year educational programs in personal training.  

• Both two and four-year colleges/universities are eligible to submit their curricula for consideration.
• This recognition is good for three years.
• Schools must have a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) or NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT), who is a full-time employee involved in the educational program as a member of the teaching faculty. The CSCS or NSCA-CPT does not have to be a full-time faculty member, but must teach a minimum of one class per academic year from the ERP required Curriculum.
• The program does not have to be classified as a major, a minor, a sequence, or a concentration. It does, however, have to be a formalized area of study.
• Schools must be regionally accredited.
• A $500 administrative fee is due with each application, which is the only fee during the three-year period of recognition.
• Schools are eligible for renewal following the expiration of the three-year period of recognition for an additional $500 fee for the next three-year period.
• Additional documentation such as syllabi is required along with the completed application.

Personal Training Programs

Follow links below to find out more information about each program.

• Bellarmine University 
• Bellevue College 
• California State University, Fullerton 
• CNI College 
• Chuo College of Technology 
• Clark College 
• Educational Foundation SOLA Okinawa Institution 
• Florida Atlantic University 
• Gateway Community College 
• Kansas City Community College 
• Kobe Gakin University 
• Kokoro Medical Welfare College 
• Kokusai Sogo Gakuen Apple Sports College 
• Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College 
• Mohawk College  
• Mueller College 
• National Personal Training Institute of Ohio 
• National Personal Training Institute of Southern California 
• Nippon Bunri University 
• Nippon Engineering College of Hachioji 
• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology 
• Parkland College 
• Rock Valley College 
• Pennsylvania College of Technology 
• Sendai University 
• Tokyo College of Sports and Recreation 
• University of Antelope Valley 
• University of Dayton 
• University of Louisville 
• Waseda University 

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General Information and Requirements

The NSCA ERP Strength and Conditioning Program recognizes colleges and universities for recognition of their undergraduate educational program in strength and conditioning.  

• The educational program must be a part of a curriculum that offers a baccalaureate degree.  
• This recognition is good for three years.
• Schools must have a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), who is a full-time employee involved in the educational program as a member of the teaching faculty. The CSCS does not have to be a full-time faculty member, but must teach a minimum of one class per academic year from the ERP required Curriculum.
• The program does not have to be classified as a major, a minor, a sequence, or a concentration. It does, however, have to be a formalized area of study.
• Schools must be regionally accredited.
• A $500 administrative fee is due with each application, which is the only fee during the three-year period of recognition.
• Schools are eligible for renewal following the expiration of the three-year period of recognition for an additional $500 fee for the next three-year period.
• Additional documentation such as syllabi is required along with completed application.

Strength and Conditioning Programs

Follow the links below to find out more information about each program. 

• Aichi Toho University 
• Appalachian State University  
• Auburn University Montgomery 
• Ball State University 
• Barton College 
• Bond University 
• California State University, Monterey Bay 
• California State University, Fullerton  
• Capital University 
• Carroll University 
• Central Connecticut State University 
• Charles Sturt University 
• Dakota State University 
• East Strousburg University 
• Florida Atlantic University 
• Florida Gulf Coast University 
• George Mason University 
• Halmstad University 
• Hofstra University 
• Indiana State University 
• Kobe Gakuin University 
• Limestone College 
• Longwood University 
• Loras College 
• Lyndon State College 
• Marquette University 
• Manhattan College  
• Morehead State University 
• Neumann University 
• New Mexico State University 
• Niigata University of Management 
• Nippon Bunri University 
• North Central College 
• Ohio University 
• Otterbein College 
• Palm Beach Atlantic University 
• Pittsburg State University 
• Ryotukuji University 
• Salisbury University 
• Sapporo International University 
• Sendai University 
• Setanta College 
• Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning 
• Slippery Rock University 
• Southern Cross University 
• Springfield College 
• St. Ambrose University 
• St. Catherine University 
• Tabor College 
• Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi 
• Trinity Western University  
• University of Abertay Dundee 
• University of Colorado at Colorado Springs 
• University of Dayton 
• University of Findlay 
• University of Hawaii-Manoa 
• University of Louisville 
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette 
• University of Mary 
• University of Memphis 
• University of Nebraska, Omaha 
• University of New England 
• University of Rhode Island 
• University of Salford 
• University of Sioux Falls 
• University of South Alabama 
• University of South Carolina Upstate 
• University of South Dakota 
• University of West Florida   
• University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire 
• University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 
• University of Oshkosh 
• Virginia State University 
• Waldorf College  
• Waseda University 
• Wayne State College 
• Western Illinois University 
• West Virginia State University 
• William Paterson University 
• William Woods University 
• Winston Salem State University  

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General Information and Requirements:

The NSCA ERP Graduate Studies Program recognizes colleges and universities for recognition of their graduate program in strength and conditioning. There are two levels of recognition – applied curriculum and research curriculum. Schools can apply for either level of recognition, or both.   

• The program must be part of a curriculum that offers at least a Master’s degree, with a specific major or concentration related to strength and conditioning and/or sport performance.
• This recognition is good for three years.
• Schools must have a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), who is a full-time employee involved in the educational program as a member of the teaching faculty. The CSCS does not have to be a full-time faculty member, but must teach a minimum of one class per academic year from the ERP required Curriculum.
• Schools must be regionally accredited.
• A $500 administrative fee is due with each application, which is the only fee during the three-year period of recognition.
• Schools are eligible for renewal following the expiration of the three-year period of recognition for an additional $500 fee for the next three-year period.
• Additional documentation such as syllabi and research abstracts/journal references and resume/vitae of teaching faculty, are required along with completed application.

Graduate Studies Programs

Follow links below to find out more information about each program.

• Appalachian State University   
• Armstrong Atlantic State University  
• Auburn University Montgomery 
• California State University, Fullerton  
• Edith Cowan University  
• Louisiana Tech University  
• Springfield College  
• Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi 
• Texas Tech University 
• The George Washington University 
• United States Sports Academy 
• Universidad Catolica San Antonio De Murcia (Catholic University of San Antonio) 
• University of Houston-Clear Lake  
• University of Louisville  
• University of Memphis  
• University of Miami (FL) 
• University of Salford 

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Download Personal Training Application  Download Strength & Conditioning Application  Download Graduate Studies Application 

Print the document and return the hard copy with the original signature to the NSCA offices. 

Your application must include:

• $500 administrative fee
• Syllabi along with any supporting materials as needed

Applicants will be notified of approval/non-approval by February 15 or July 15. 

Postmark deadlines are January 1 and June 1. 

Mail Applications to: 

National Strength and Conditioning Association

Educational Recognition Program

1885 Bob Johnson Drive

Colorado Springs, CO  80906