Newswise — The Department of Kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Services at UNC Charlotte was recently awarded an initial 5-year accreditation for its BS degree program in Exercise Science and MS degree program in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
The Department of Kinesiology is one of only a handful of departments in the nation that provides CAAHEP-accredited programs in Exercise Science and Clinical Exercise Physiology. In addition to earning initial accreditation of these programs, the Department also received a 10-year continuing accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) for its BS degree program in Athletic Training.
"These programs were tested through rigorous peer review of accreditation standards. The ensuing attainment of new accreditation from CAAHEP, and continuing accreditation from CAATE for the maximum number of years, reflects program excellence that has resulted from the ongoing efforts of the faculty and staff involved," said Karen Schmaling, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services.
Upon graduating from the Exercise Science program, students are eligible to sit for the national Health Fitness Specialist exam through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) where they will have acquired the knowledge and skills to conduct physical fitness assessments and interpret the results; conduct risk stratification; construct appropriate exercise prescriptions, and help motivate apparently healthy individuals with medically-controlled diseases to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Over the past two years, UNC Charlotte has had more students sit for the HFS exam than any other institution in the nation.
Students graduating from the Clinical Exercise Physiology program are eligible for ACSM's most prestigious credential - Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP) - after successfully passing the exam. The RCEP is proficient in working with individuals with cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, orthopedic, neuromuscular and immunological / hematological disease in performing clinical exercise testing and data interpretation.
Further, these allied health professionals develop complex exercise prescriptions and perform exercise counseling for various clinical populations. Graduates of the Athletic Training program are eligible to sit for the national Board of Certification exam where they earn the ATC credential. Certified Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals who are qualified to care for, prevent and diagnose musculoskeletal injuries; as well as provide treatment for acute and chronic medical conditions involving musculoskeletal and orthopedic impairment, functional movement limitations and disabilities in athletes, physically active individuals and patients.
"We take our role in preparing allied health professionals across our State, Region and Nation very seriously. Garnering accreditation for these programs is validation of our commitment to preparing our students for the professions they will embark upon" said Mitch Cordova, Department Chair of Kinesiology.
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