Physical Fitness Specialist Major Earns Renewed Recognition

Pennsylvania College of Technology's fitness and lifetime sports program recently received renewed recognition from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

This recognition status confirms the college's educational program an associate degree for physical fitness specialist continues to meet educational guidelines recommended by the NSCA.

The NSCA is one of the two top nonprofit certifying bodies in the field of exercise science and strength conditioning (American College of Sports Medicine is the clinical organization).

"We are one of only two programs in Pennsylvania to receive this recognition at the associate's level and one of only 12 in the nation," said Ron Kodish, assistant professor of fitness and lifetime sports at Penn College. "This is a feather in our program's cap and will help our degree to grow in numbers and in national recognition."

The college's NSCA Education Recognition Program award was renewed for a second three-year term, which will expire in June 2013. Its physical fitness specialist major helps prepare students to become trained leaders in the fitness industry upon graduation. Based upon reports from the field and program research, graduates find employment in a variety of areas, including but not limited to: wellness, commercial fitness facilities, health-care agencies, rehabilitation centers, resort areas, senior living facilities and retail of fitness equipment.

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. Penn College is a host site for the NSCA's Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam and the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer exam, which enables the physical fitness specialist students the opportunity to add these certification credentials to their resume.

Among the benefits of recognition by the association, students enrolled in Penn College's physical fitness specialist major receive a discount when registering for the national exam, are listed on the NSCA website as qualified professionals, and Penn College is listed on the NSCA website as a school of distinction.

To learn more about NSCA, visit online .

For information about the physical fitness specialist degree and other academic programs offered by the School of Health Sciences at Penn College, call 570-327-4519 or visit on the Web .

For general information about the college, visit online , e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.