inInstitution name as you would like it to appear on the NSCA website

APPLICATIONPERSONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

1IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

1. This application is submitted by a regionally accredited academic institution of higher learning
within the United States (or the international equivalent) to the National Strength andConditioning Association (NSCA) for recognition of their program in personal training to prepare
students for the NSCA Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®) certification. The program does
not have to be classified as a major, minor, sequence, or concentration. However, it does haveto be a formalized area of study. Both 2-year and 4-year colleges/universities are eligible tosubmit their curricula for recognition consideration.
2. This recognition is valid for three years. The Education Recognition Program (ERP) does not
imply accreditation or any advantage for the NSCA certification examination. The Personal
Training ERP recognizes and distinguishes programs with standardized, specified curriculum
approved by the NSCA.
3. Applications are reviewed two times per year. Application deadlines are April 1 and October 1each year. Applicants will be notified of approval/non-approval by May 15 or November 15.
4. There is a $500.00 administrative fee for first-time applicants due with this application. This fee
is the only fee required during the three-year period of recognition.
5. Schools that have not allowed their recognition to expire, are eligible for Education Recognition
program (ERP) renewal by submission of the renewal portion of this application for a renewal feeof $400.00.
6. Schools that have allowed their recognition to expire, are eligible for ERP renewal by submissionof the complete application and documentation for the initial fee of $500.00.
7. Schools applying for recognition for multiple programs will receive 5% off of the application
fee(s) for each additional recognition approved.
8. Renewing institutions that have not allowed their recognition to expire are only required toprovide the course content and documentation information from Section III that has changed
since their last application.
9. The application for recognition must provide complete information. Additional materials, suchas syllabi, are required.
10. Applications and supporting documents must be in English.
11. Once approved, the institution may disclose their NSCA recognition on any forms, documents,or recruiting materials.
12. If an application is denied recognition, the administrative fee will be returned to the institution(minus a $100.00 processing fee), along with the application and reason(s) for denial.
13. By completing this application, the institution authorizes the NSCA to identify them as aninstitution with a recognized curriculum in strength and conditioning. The NSCA may disclose
this information in publications, websites, or any other means the NSCA deems appropriate
14. To be recognized, institutions must have a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist®
(CSCS®) or NSCA Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®), who is a full-time employee involvedin 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.
15. It is the intent of this recognition process to help institutions market their programs in personaltraining and to help institutions begin to prepare their programs for possible accreditation.
Approval letters will include specific NSCA statements designed to market the school’s
educational program.
Complete this application and forward to:
National Strength and Conditioning Association (ERP)1885 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Toll Free: 800.815.6826| Phone: 719.632.6722| Fax: 719.632.6867| nsca.com
1

SECTION IINSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION | PERSONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Official Name of Sponsoring Institution:
Department:
Address 1:
Address 2:
City:

State:

Postal Code:Country:

Please provide the URL to link from the NSCA website to your department webpage:

INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION
Regional Accrediting Association Name: (If outside of United States, use international equivalent.)

Date of Last Accreditation:
Is the sponsoring institution legally authorized under applicable state law to provide post-secondary education?
Yes
No
No applicable state law

2

SECTION IIPROGRAM PERSONNEL | PERSONAL TRAINING PROGRAMPROGRAM DIRECTOR
The Program Director is the person responsible for administering the academic program and ensuringthat all rules and regulations are followed, and that the program is in compliance with the standards forrecognition. The Program Director must be a member of the teaching faculty and have voting privileges in
the academic unit that houses the program. Academic rank and tenure-status are irrelevant. The Program
Director does not necessarily need to be a CSCS or NSCA-CPT.
TEACHING FACULTY
The teaching faculty of the personal training educational program shall be identified as those faculty
members responsible for teaching in the required subject matter areas specified in Section III, and otherdidactic course work included in the personal training curriculum as identified by the institution.
Members of the teaching faculty must have formal appointments in the academic unit and must be
financially compensated for their services. Rank and tenure-status are irrelevant. Members of the teachingfaculty can be classified as full-time, part-time, adjunct, or graduate teaching assistants. At least one (1)member of the teaching faculty must be a CSCS or NSCA-CPT and sponsor this application.
CSCS SPONSOR
At least one CSCS or NSCA-CPT must be directly involved in the education of the students in theprogram as a member of the teaching faculty, and must sponsor this application. The CSCS or NSCA-CPTsponsor must also be a full-time employee of the institution sponsoring this application. For example, anon-CSCS or NSCA-CPT faculty member, or a non-CSCS or NSCA-CPT department chairperson canbe identified as the Program Director and can teach in the recognized personal training curriculum, aslong as the institution employs a full-time CSCS or NSCA-CPT who is directly involved in theeducational program as a member of the teaching faculty, and who endorses this application.

3

SECTION II (Cont’d)
PROGRAM DIRECTORName:

Title:

Address 1:Address 2:
City:

State:

Phone:

Postal Code:Country:

Email:Is the Program Director an NSCA Member?

Yes

NoYes

NoIf Yes, Please Provide Membership Number:Is the Program Director a CSCS?
If Yes, Please Provide NSCA Certification Number:
CSCS or NSCA-CPT SPONSOR (if different from the Program Director)
Name:

Title:

Address 1:
Address 2:
City:

State:

Phone:

Postal Code:Country:

Email:Is the CSCS or NSCA-CPT Sponsor an
NSCA Member?

Yes

No

If Yes, Please Provide Membership Number:
NSCA Certification Number:
Does the academic unit which houses the program employ a CSCS in a full-time academic/teaching position?
Yes
No
Note: The CSCS sponsor must be a member of the teaching faculty and must be a full-time employee of the sponsoring
institution involved in the educational program as a member of the teaching faculty.

4

SECTION III
Renewal Applications Only (Institutions must be currently recognized)
Has any of the information in Section III changed since your last application?
Yes
No
If “No,” you are not required to complete this section.
If “Yes,” you are only required to complete the fields necessary to reflect changes since your last application.
PROGRAM DESIGN | PERSONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Name of Institution:
Name of College (within University):
Name of Department:
Name of Major:
Name of Track/Specialization:
Name of Degree Granted:
Length of program in terms (i.e., semesters, quarters):

In credit hours:

Total number of students currently enrolled in the program:
Tuition and fees:

Resident $/credit hour;

Non-Resident$/credit hour

5SECTION III (Cont’d)Renewal Applications Only (Institutions must be currently recognized)
Has any of the information in Section III changed since your last application?
YesIf “No,” you are not required to complete this section.
If “Yes,” you are only required to complete the fields necessary to reflect changes since your last application.

No

PROGRAM DESIGN | PERSONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Please identify in which courses these content areas are taught. If the content is taught in several courses, please
identify only the course(s) in which most of the content is taught. You may list the same course for several contentareas.
STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE FORMAL INSTRUCTION IN THE FOLLOWING CONTENT MATTER AREAS:
REQUIRED CONTENTCOURSE NAME(S)COURSE #(s)HOURS

Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Exercise Science/Physiology(aerobic and anaerobic
training adaptations)
Nutrition (Sports Nutrition
is preferred)
Essentials of Personal
Training (aerobic andanaerobic exercise
prescription)
Biomechanics/HumanMovement/Kinesiology
Exercise and Weight
Training Skills and Teaching
Techniques (includingadaptations needed forspecial populations)
Exercise Testing & Client
Consultation for Healthyand Special Populations
Emergency Care and Legal
Issues in Personal Training(including First Aid, CPR,AED)
Practicum in Exercise
Instruction
Psychology/SportPsychology (includingexercise adherence issues)**YOU MUST ATTACH A CURRENT SYLLABUS DESCRIBING LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND
COMPETENCIES TO BE ACHIEVED FOR BOTH DIDACTIC AND SUPERVISED PRACTICALEDUCATION COMPONENTS, FOR EACH COURSE IDENTIFIED ABOVE **(You may attach any promotional materials or advertising materials that outline the program of study, in addition to completing
this application.)

6

SECTION IV
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS | PERSONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
It is the responsibility of the institution (Program Director, Chairperson, and CSCS or NSCA-CPTSponsor) to notify the NSCA of any changes in the program or in personnel during the period ofrecognition.

The sequencing and availability of courses in each of the subject matter areas listed in Section III
should be made available to the students.

The subject matter should be instructed, evaluated, and instructional effectiveness should be assessedon a regular basis.

Program personnel must ensure that the objectives, content, and activities stated in the curriculum
represent current concepts and practices.

Instruction should follow a plan which documents appropriate learning experiences and curriculum
sequencing to develop the competencies necessary for graduation, including appropriate instructional
materials, classroom presentations, discussions, demonstrations, and supervised practical experience.



Faculty members responsible for teaching required subject matter should be qualified throughprofessional preparation and experience in their respective academic areas.

The personal training curriculum should include provisions for practical experiences under the directsupervision of qualified preceptors in acceptable settings.

By signing below, all parties testify that the information provided in this application is true andcorrect to the best of their knowledge. Original signatures required.

Department Chairperson (or Dean)

Date

Program Director

Date

CSCS Sponsor

Date7

CHECKLISTThe application fee of $500.00 is enclosed.
All information is provided.
All supporting documents, such as syllabi for each course identified in Section III, are attached.
One completed copy (with original signatures) is provided.
If you have any questions regarding this application, please contact the NSCA prior to submitting thisapplication at 800-815-6826. Thank you.

1885 BOB JOHNSON DRIVE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906
PH: 719 632-6722 | TF: 800 815-6826 | FX: 719 632-6367
NSCA.com

8