Strength & Conditioning and Fitness Coaching

Academics

SCFC Graduate Certificate (24 credits) | SCFC Specialized Graduate Certificate (16 credits) 

Do you want to become a strength and conditioning coach or personal trainer? Maybe you want to add to your existing skill set or business offerings by adding exercise and fitness related activities and events? Or, are you a sport coach who wants to learn the winning edge of effective and applied strength and conditioning to enhance athletic performance? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the University of Denver's Graduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning and Fitness Coaching is exactly what you're looking for.

Our graduate certificates in strength and conditioning and fitness coaching equip students with the most essential knowledge and skills to succeed in the field. We provide student-coaches an opportunity to receive the University of Denver’s excellent teaching and mentoring within a shorter, condensed program. You will gain the applied knowledge and skills to design, implement, and problem solve real-world strength and conditioning and fitness problems. Students benefit from high quality, engaging online instruction from a top university known for its commitment to developing scholar-coaches. 

Students interested in the SCFC certificate programs can select from either a 24 credit SCFC and a 16 credit SCFC. The 24 credit SCFC contains a more structured course sequence and an internship requirement from which, upon meeting accredidation requirements, will be accredited by the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE). This accredidation will provide students seeking the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification (CSCS) an accredited education required to take the CSCS exam. 

The 16 credit SCFC is more flexible in the coursework to meet needs and areas of interest. It does not have an internship and maintains flexibility for choices to be made by students. Regardless of SCFC program, students have the option of transferring into our online Master of Arts in Sport Coaching degree.

Curriculum

Our courses are offered year-round in each of the four academic quarters: Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer.

Students choose from two S&C certificate options:

  • Graduate Certificate – 24 credits

    Required Core Courses (24 credits)

    • CPSY 4610: Exercise Physiology (4)
    • CPSY 4620: Kinesiology (4)
    • CPSY 4635: Athletic and Performance Nutrition (4)
    • CPSY 4715: Strength & Conditioning and Injury Prevention Program Design (4)
    • CPSY 4720: Psychology of Athletic Performance (4)
    • CPSY 4780: Internship in Sport (4)

     

    Work one-on-one with a Coach Mentor

    While enrolled in the Internship course, students are individually paired with a coach mentor who is an experienced S&C coach or personal trainer (dependent upon the student's area of interest). Students meet virtually with their mentor for one hour each week throughout the quarter. The purpose of this is to provide an additional opportunity for growth and development, as well as expand the student's professional network. We are the only program in the world to offer this unique and valuable opportunity.

     

  • Specialized Graduate Certificate – 16 credits

    Required Coursework (12 credits)

    Students complete the following required coursework, amounting to 12 credit hours:

    • CPSY 4715: Strength and Conditioning and Injury Prevention Program Design (4)
    • CPSY 4710: Motor Learning and Sport Pedagogy (4)
    • CPSY 4730: Biomechanics of Athletic Performance (4)

     

    Elective Coursework  

    Students choose from the following elective coursework to complete a total of 4 credit hours:

    • CPSY 4610: Exercise Physiology (4)
    • CPSY 4620: Kinesiology (4)
    • CPSY 4635: Athletic and Performance Nutrition (4)
    • CPSY 4712: Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coaching (4)
    • CPSY 4720: Psychology of Athletic Performance (4)
    • CPSY 4722: Social-Psychology of the Body, Health, and Performance (2)
    • CPSY 4751: Applied Sport Coaching 1: Intro to Reflective Practice & Applied Research (may be taken twice for up to 2 credits)

     

    Non-Coursework Requirements 

    • Students must submit proof of CPR/First Aid certification, or complete the requirement within 3 months upon entering the program.
    • Students must maintain professional standards for strength and conditioning coaches such as those set forth by the NSCA Standards and Guidelines for Strength and Conditioning Professionals document.
    • Students must consult with mental skills consultant or S&C coach-mentor for one quarter, averaging about 1 hour per week for 10 weeks (consultant or mentor provided by the program). 

Program Requirements (24-credit Graduate Certificate ONLY)

  1. While enrolled in the program, students must attend at least one S&C clinic, conference, or course (such as: DU sponsored S&C Clinic; NSCA's Fundamental Lifts Course; or NSCA's Coaches' or National Conference), preferably through the NSCA, with prior approval from Program Director. 

  2. All students are encouraged to maintain CPR certification for the duration of study. Certification can be sought off-site or with campus safety on campus. https://www.du.edu/campussafety/classes/index.html  

  3. All students must complete a minimum of two substantially different internship experiences that include two or more of the following categories: sport, gender, age range, or other at a minimum of 75 hours per experience. The internship experiences should address two different supervisors (does not require experiences at two different sites).

  4. All students are required to attempt the NSCA’s CSCS exam.

  5. Students must maintain professional standards for strength and conditioning coaches such as those set forth by the NSCA Standards and Guidelines for Strength and Conditioning Professionals document. 

NSCA Education Recognition Program

NSCA Education Recognition Program

Our online certificate programs are recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Education Recognition Program as an Applied Graduate Studies Program. This certifies that our program aligns with the educational guidelines provided by the worldwide leader in strength and conditioning.

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