Penn College's Physical Fitness Specialist Majors Earn Recognition

Published 07.03.2007

News

Pennsylvania College of Technology's fitness and lifetime sports program recently earned recognition by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Acceptance into the NSCA's Education Recognition Program means the college's educational programs a bachelor's degree in applied health studies: physical fitness specialist concentration and an associate degree in physical fitness specialist have met and continue to meet educational guidelines recommended by the NSCA.

"The NSCA is one of the top, if not the top, names in fitness organizations," said Ron Kodish, assistant professor and department head of fitness and lifetime sports at Penn College. "We are one of only a few colleges to have gained this recognition. This is a feather in our program's cap and will help our degree to grow in numbers and in national recognition."

The college has earned NSCA recognition status for three years, expiring June 30, 2010. Its physical fitness specialist majors help prepare graduates to become trained leaders in the physical fitness industry. Based upon reports from the field and program research, graduates find jobs in wellness centers, fitness centers, health-care agencies, rehabilitation centers and agencies, convalescent homes, resort areas with fitness facilities, and with fitness equipment manufacturing/sales companies.

The National Strength and Conditioning Association is considered the worldwide authority on strength and conditioning. A nonprofit educational association founded in 1978, it develops and presents the most advanced information regarding strength training and conditioning practices, injury prevention, and research findings. The association also offers nationally accredited certification programs for the fitness industry.

Among the benefits of recognition by the association, students enrolled in Penn College's physical fitness specialist majors will receive a discount on NSCA certification exams, and the college will be listed on the NSCA Web site, as well as in the Strength and Conditioning Journal and the NSCA Bulletin. To learn more about NSCA, visit on the Web.

For more information about the academic programs offered by the School of Health Sciences at Penn College, call (570) 327-4519, send e-mail or visit online.