EDUCATION RECOGNITION PROGRAM
The NSCA Education Recognition Program (ERP) recognizes and distinguishes programs with approved and standardized strength and conditioning or personal training curricula. Recognized programs are designed to prepare students for the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®) or NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certifications.
Helping Students Reach Higher
The ERP is the first step in laying the foundation to ensure classroom excellence. With a purposefully designed education, students can look forward to long-term professional success after graduation. The ERP seeks to support this journey through the proper certifications, professional development, and industry connections that can only be found through the NSCA.
Student Benefits
The NSCA is opening doors for every step of a successful education and career. Students attending a program that is recognized by the NSCA ERP, gain valuable career benefits from grants and internships to discounts, resources, and more.
Directory of Recognized Programs
View our complete list of schools with programs that have achieved the NSCA ERP seal of approval. Search for recognized undergraduate, graduate strength and conditioning programs, and personal training programs.
Program Benefits
ERP is more than just recognition. Receive exclusive benefits such as exam discounts for students and faculty, program marketing to increase student enrollment, and opportunities to launch your students' careers.
Pathway to Accreditation
ERP helps strength and conditioning programs start their journey toward programmatic accreditation through the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE).
The NSCA Education Recognition Program (ERP) has been instrumental in helping to increase the visibility and credibility of the undergraduate and graduate programs in exercise science with a strength and conditioning concentration. Coupled with the long history of research in strength and conditioning and NSCA involvement by the faculty, having recognized academic programs has assisted in keeping our course content current and our students well-prepared to take on the challenges of the strength and conditioning profession.
N. Travis Triplett, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA
Appalachian State University
How to Apply for Program Recognition
Earn the recognition your program deserves and demonstrate the credibility your prospective students are looking for. Join the growing list of distinguished organizations with the NSCA seal of approval. The ERP accepts applications from undergraduate and graduate strength and conditioning programs and two- or four-year degree personal training programs. Recognition can be earned in any program or all three.
View the application for specific details and curriculum requirements:
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How to Apply
We are excited about your interest in the NSCA Education Recognition Program.
Step 1- Preparation
Review each program application to gain an understanding of the specific requirements to determine which will best fit your programs curriculum. Gather all of the required documentation listed within the application.
All programs recognized through the ERP are granted recognition for a three-year period.
Application deadlines are April 1 and October 1 each year.
Applicants will be notified of approval or non-approval by May 15 and November 15.
Step 2 - Application and Documentation
Download and complete the fillable PDF application(s). Digital signatures accepted.
First-Time Submissions: Complete application(s) in its entirety. Current syllabi describing learning objectives and competencies for all course content must be included with application submissions.
Renewal Submissions: Schools that have not allowed their recognition to expire, are eligible for ERP renewal by submission of the application as a renewal program. Complete Section I and II. Within Section III, complete only the course content that has changed since the last application submission. If there are no changes in course content, then this section may be left blank. Current syllabi and documentation of course content changes listed must be included in the submission.
Step 3 - Application Submission
Submit the signed and completed application and all required supporting documentation of course content, such as course syllabi, to erp@nsca.com. All applications must be in English and include all required information.
Your application submission must include:
- Completed application with signatures (digital signatures accepted)
- Syllabi and supporting documentation
Please indicate in the body of the submission email which method of payment your program will be using to process the administrative fee(s).
Step 4 – Fees and Payment Processing
- $500 for first time submissions
- $400 for renewals
- 5 percent discount for multiple program submissions
Payment must be received in order for submission to proceed to be reviewed.
Payment can be processed via Check, Credit Card, Money Order, or Wire Transfer.
Checks and Money Orders Payable to:
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Mailing Address:
National Strength and Conditioning Association
1885 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Contact the NSCA ERP team (erp@nsca.com or 800-815-6826) for more information on how to process payment by credit card or wire transfer.
Step 5- Application Review
ERP applications will be reviewed at the same time regardless of the date of submission. If further documentation is required during our review, we will contact the Program Director via email.
Step 6 –Approval
Once your application has been fully reviewed, all requirements have been met, and payment has been received and successfully processed the official notification of approval will be sent to the designated Program Director.
Application deadlines are April 1 and October 1 each year.
Applicants will be notified of approval or non-approval by May 15 and November 15.
Once approval notification has been sent, the process of distribution of all of the exceptional ERP benefits will begin.
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Contact Us
For more information, questions, or additional assistance, contact our dedicated staff supporting NSCA Recognized Programs at erp@nsca.com.
