Programmatic Accreditation: Implementation Strategies for College Kinesiology Program Directors

Programmatic accreditation within Kinesiology sub-disciplines, such as physical therapy and sports medicine, have typically been required at the graduate level. Within the coming decade, major certifications for exercise physiology (ACSM-EP) and strength & conditioning (CSCS) will institute programmatic accreditation requirements at the undergraduate level. This article takes a narrative review approach at examining ways that programmatic accreditation at the undergraduate level may impact incoming undergraduate students, such as necessitating earlier specialization and limiting the ability for late-stage career changes. To mitigate these impacts, college kinesiology program directors may benefit from considering the perspectives of students as they work to meet programmatic accreditation requirements. This includes considering how curriculum and program design, communication to incoming students, and the potential for inter-institutional collaborations may impact students’ ability to make informed decisions and reach their career goals. College program directors may find utility in candid conversations with prospective students on the potential certifications they could earn after graduation, curriculum design that allows for some flexibility in a student’s academic journey, and working with neighboring institutions to refer students to programs that match their career goals.