Accreditation

The SRU Exercise Science Program is accredited.

In September 2006, the Exercise Science program became one of the first six schools in the nation to receive the maximum five-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) , the largest programmatic accreditor in the health-sciences field.

We have earned the longest possible accreditation which lasts through 2021. This means the program meets the highest national standards of quality and serves the public interest by assuring a well-qualified workforce.

The Exercise Science Program has also earned the endorsement of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) since 2001.

A bit of history:

Slippery Rock University requires all academic programs to undergo a thorough assessment or self-study every five years. In 1992, the program, then called Lifetime Fitness, had its first self-study reviewed by an external consultant. An independent and subjective evaluation was formulated and suggestions for program improvement were implemented. The next self-study of the Exercise Science specialization was conducted in 1997 and was reviewed by an external consultant. However, this time the self-study was based on the 1995 NASPE Applied Exercise Science Council Basic Standards for the Professional Preparation in Exercise Science that consisted of more objective criteria. Between 1997 and 2003, the Exercise Science program achieved two endorsements and an accreditation by leading professional organizations in the field. The Exercise Science program was endorsed by the National Strength and Conditioning Association in 2001 and by the American College of Sports Medicine in 2003. During 2005-2006, the Exercise Science faculty compiled a comprehensive document that was submitted to CAAHEP, which led to the current accreditation. Based upon the ongoing processes of accreditations, self-studies, and endorsements, the Exercise Science program at Slippery Rock University has achieved recognition by the leading professional organizations in the field for providing a high-quality academic program.