Strength and Conditioning Certification

NSCA Graduate Education Recognition Program

Foundation Coursework Requirement

Students without a baccalaureate degree major or minor in Kinesiology (or related exercise science area) will be required to complete a maximum of 12 units of upper division undergraduate foundation coursework in kinesiology. The required foundation coursework will be determined by an advisor in strength and conditioning and approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

As a minimum foundation requirement, all students entering the NSCA Graduate ERP in Strength and Conditioning will be required to have completed KIN 162 – Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription, or an equivalent course. KIN 162 uses NSCA textbooks, journal publications, videos, and other information designed to prepare seniors and graduate students for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Certification and/or the National Strength and Conditioning – Certified Personal Trainer certification.

Other foundation coursework which may be required depending on the background of the student include KIN 155 – Exercise Physiology and other upper division undergraduate exercise science courses.

Graduate Program of Study in Strength and Conditioning (30 Units)

The presents an overview of the 30-unit graduate program of study in strength and conditioning. It should be noted that the required content of Principles of Strength and Conditioning will be achieved through two courses.

First as indicated above under the foundation coursework requirement, all students entering the NSCA Graduate ERP in Strength and Conditioning will be required to have completed KIN 162 – Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription, or an equivalent course, which covers advanced principles and concepts of strength and conditioning as well as program design elements as related to strength and conditioning.

Second, students will also be required to complete KIN 286 – Independent Study [in strength and conditioning] in which students will complete in depth investigations into specific areas of strength and conditioning based on their needs, backgrounds, and previous experiences.

All students enrolled in KIN 286 during a given semester will periodically meet and discuss their independent studies in a seminar format. It should also be noted that the required content of Program Design as related to Strength and Conditioning will also be achieved through two courses.

First, students will be required to complete KIN 285 – Internship [in strength and conditioning] which will provide students with the opportunity to design and apply programs as well as gain skills and experiences in collegiate, secondary, professional, clinical, and/or private settings in strength and conditioning programs.

Second, knowledge and skills in program design related to strength and conditioning will also be gained though the completion of a thesis or research project.

Graduate Program of Study in Strength and Conditioning (30 Units)

Required Content

KIN 250 – Fundamentals of Quantitative Research (3 units)
KIN 251 – Fundamentals of Qualitative Research (3 units)
KIN 255 – Advanced Exercise Physiology (3 units)
KIN 256 – Environmental Exercise Physiology (3 units)
KIN 285 – Internship [in strength and conditioning] (3 units)
KIN 286 – Independent Study [in strength and conditioning] (3units)

Supplemental Content - Two Courses from the Following Three Areas (6 units):

KIN 257 - Biomechanics (3 units)

KIN 265 – Advanced Motor Development or KIN 266 - Principles and Concepts of
Motor Learning (3 units)

KIN 267 – Advanced Sport Psychology or KIN 276 - Advanced Exercise Psychology
(3 units)

KIN 283 – Management, Leadership, and Communication in Sport (3 units)

Culminating Experience

Thesis (KIN 299) or Research Project (KIN 298)

KIN 298 – Special Studies [in strength and conditioning] (3 units)
Plus One Elective from Suggested List of Electives Below (3units)

KIN 299 – Thesis [in strength and conditioning] (6 units)

Suggested List of Electives:

KIN 257 - Biomechanics if not taken in the Supplemental Content area (3 units)

KIN 265 - Advanced Motor Development or KIN 266 – Principles and Concepts of Motor Learning if not taken in the Supplemental Content area (3 units)

KIN 267 – Advanced Sport Psychology or KIN 276 - Advanced Exercise Psychology if not taken in the Supplemental Content area (3 units)

KIN 283 – Management, Leadership, and Communication in Sport if not taken in the Supplemental Content area (3 units)

NuFSP 123 – Nutrition for Sport (3 units)

KIN 168 – Psychology of Coaching (3 units)

KIN 187 – Clinical Exercise Physiology (3 units)