The West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences has announced that its Coaching and Performance Science undergraduate program has received accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education.
The formal announcement was made in July at the annual National Strength and Conditioning Association conference in Kansas City, Mo.
CASCE is an independent nonprofit accrediting agency established by the NSCA. The agency provides accreditation to collegiate-level programs specializing in strength and conditioning. CASCE assesses program quality based on curriculum relevance and instructional effectiveness through peer-reviewed evaluations by academic and industry professionals.
WVU is among just 40 programs across the country to receive accreditation from CASCE. Starting in 2030, only graduates of CASCE-accredited programs will be eligible to sit for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS) exam.
“This accreditation marks a major shift in how strength and conditioning professionals are prepared,” said Guy Hornsby, associate professor of coaching and performance science. “In the past, earning the CSCS only required a bachelor’s degree in any field. Now, programs must offer a targeted curriculum that meets specific CASCE standards, including key content areas like anatomy, biomechanics, sport psychology, nutrition, and strength and conditioning principles. Programs must also deliver structured, hands-on experiences through labs and internships.
“Our program is now uniquely positioned as one of the few nationally recognized for meeting the highest standards in strength and conditioning education,” Hornsby continued. “This accreditation formalizes the leadership role we’ve long held in the field and reinforces our alignment with the direction the profession is heading. It ensures our students are graduating from a program that meets both current expectations and future demands.”
The CASCE accreditation process spans multiple years and includes an initial review, a comprehensive year-long self-study, and a formal evaluation by a CASCE-appointed review team. This process culminates in a multi-day, on-site visit to assess curriculum quality, instructional delivery, and experiential learning components.