OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is proud to announce that the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE) Board has formally voted to grant accreditation to CUKC’s Certificate in Strength and Conditioning (post-baccalaureate/graduate certificate) program.
The CASCE is recognized as an authority in quality strength and conditioning education. This accreditation demonstrates our commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and excellence in our strength and conditioning program. Our curriculum, faculty, and facilities have undergone rigorous evaluation to ensure that we provide students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to excel in the field of strength and conditioning and keep athletes safe.
This milestone makes CUKC’s program the first post-baccalaureate/graduate certificate in strength and conditioning ever approved by CASCE, a landmark development for the profession and for students seeking a flexible, accredited pathway toward the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam.
“CUKC is proud to be part of this important step forward for strength and conditioning education,” said Dr. Greg Williams, director of exercise science programs at Cleveland University-Kansas City. “Our graduate certificate was created for working professionals who want to expand their knowledge, strengthen their credentials, and prepare for the CSCS exam through a flexible online format. CASCE accreditation validates the rigor and relevance of the program and reinforces our commitment to student success.”
With 100% online coursework, one weekend of immersive labs on campus, and 300 field experience hours, CUKC’s Graduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning is designed for professionals in fitness, sports performance, rehabilitation, chiropractic, and related fields who want to expand their credentials without enrolling in a full degree program.
The certificate is one of the first of its kind in the nation and is intended to provide focused preparation for the CSCS exam. By 2030, eligibility for the CSCS exam will require completion of an accredited program, and as the first graduate certificate program to receive accreditation from CASCE, Cleveland University-Kansas City’s Graduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning is on the leading edge of this requirement.
Program Highlights
- 100% online coursework. Immersive labs and 300 field experience hours are required.
- Designed to help prepare students for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam.
- Ideal for professionals seeking career advancement in fitness, sports performance, and rehabilitation.
- Available as a standalone graduate certificate or as part of the M.S. in Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance.
- Students in CUKC’s Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance program may earn the certificate with no additional credit hours needed.
CUKC’s program equips students with advanced knowledge in human movement science, exercise physiology, exercise nutrition, and strength training principles. Developed and delivered by industry professionals, the curriculum is aligned with current best practices and designed to support real-world application.
The need for qualified strength and conditioning professionals continues to rise. According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) 2025 Salary Report, strength and conditioning jobs are expected to grow by as much as 20% by 2031, underscoring the value of specialized, accredited preparation in the field.
The certificate may support a variety of career paths, including:
- Strength and conditioning coach
- Personal trainer
- Rehabilitation specialist
- Corporate wellness coach
- Sports performance professional
- Chiropractor integrating sports performance services into practice
For chiropractors, the certificate offers an opportunity to incorporate sports performance training into a hybrid practice model focused on health, fitness, and athletic performance. For coaches and trainers, it provides a deeper foundation for helping athletes improve performance while reducing injury risk.
Admission to the certificate requires a bachelor’s degree (BS/BA), a terminal degree in physical therapy, or a terminal degree in chiropractic medicine granted by an accredited institution. Current Doctor of Chiropractic students may apply after successfully completing the first three trimesters of their program but must complete the D.C. degree – or hold a bachelor’s degree – before sitting for the CSCS exam.
For more information about Cleveland University-Kansas City’s Graduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning, visit https://www.cleveland.edu/academics/college-of-health-sciences/strength-and-conditioning-certificate/
About the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE)
The Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education, commonly referred to as CASCE, is a nonprofit accrediting agency devoted to advancing the strength and conditioning profession. CASCE provides accreditation to collegiate-level education programs specializing in strength and conditioning. It relies on peer-reviews by academic and industry professionals to assess standards of quality, ensuring relevant curriculum and effective instruction.
About Cleveland University-Kansas City
Founded in 1922, Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is an independent, nonprofit, regionally accredited institution of higher education. Through its College of Chiropractic and College of Health Sciences, the institution fulfills an ongoing mission to educate and develop leaders in health promotion.
- CUKC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). HLC accreditation verifies that higher education institutions meet high standards and are engaged in continuous improvement. HLC’s institutional accreditation includes all degree levels as well as on-site and online offerings. The Certificate in Strength and Conditioning is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE). CUKC’s College of Chiropractic is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. The CUKC Radiologic Technology program has received accreditation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
- The president of CUKC, Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, is a fourth-generation chiropractor and the grandson of the University’s founders.
- The University offers the following degrees: Doctor of Chiropractic, M.S. in Healthcare Administration, M.S. in Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance, Graduate Certificate in Sports Performance, Graduate Certificate in Strength & Conditioning, B.S. in Human Biology, B.S. in Exercise Science, A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology, A.A. in Biological Sciences (Health Sciences Emphasis, Personal Training, Pre-Nursing, Traditional)
- CUKC students are from 22 states and Canada.
To learn more about CUKC, visit www.cleveland.edu.