Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences
Gina Cortese Shipley, MS
Executive Director
401 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
The Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences was established in April 2004 under the auspices of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
The primary role of the CoAES is to establish standards and guidelines for academic programs that facilitate the preparation of students seeking employment in the health, fitness, and exercise industry. The secondary role of the CoAES is to establish and implement a process of self-study, review, and recommendation for all programs seeking CAAHEP accreditation.
Programmatic accreditation through CAAHEP is specifically intended for Exercise Science or related departments (Physical Education, Kinesiology, etc.) with a professional preparation tract designed for students seeking employment opportunities in the health, fitness, and exercise industry.
Currently, the CoAES reviews programs in the Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, and Personal Fitness Training professions.
Find an Accredited Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, or Personal Fitness Training Program
Official Notice of Proposed Revisions to CoAES Standards & Guidelines:
CoAES Sponsoring organizations; American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), American Kinesiotherapy Association (AKA), American Red Cross (ARC), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF), initiate solicitation of feedback from communities of interest regarding proposed revisions of CoAES Standards and Guidelines for undergraduate Exercise Science programs.
The document is available to download and review below:
Proposed Standards and Guidelines 2020
Ben C. Thompson, PhD, FACSM, ACSM-EP, Chair
Brian Biagioli, EdD
David C. Berry, PhD, MHA, AT, ATC, ATRIC, CKTP, GT-Certified, ROT
Ian Montel, MS, NASM-CPT, CES, PES
Jerry Purvis, MS, RKT
Todd Galati, MA
Francis Neric, MS, MBA
Kristen Dempsey, MS, ACSM-RCEP
Carol Cole, MS, ACSM HFD
Susan Muller, PhD, MCHES, CEP
Walter R. Thompson, PhD, FACSM
Gregory Ferenchak, PHD, EDD, RT (R)(QM), CAAHEP Liaison
To begin the process of accreditation for your program, simply complete the Request for Accreditation Services form. This form allows the CoAES to formalize your intention and send you the complete set of self-study application materials. There is no obligation or cost associated with submitting these request forms.
The complete set of self-study application materials will be sent via email to the program director listed on the "Request for Accreditation Services" application once it is received by the CoAES.
For Programs
CoAES Programmatic Accreditation Process for the Exercise Sciences Infographic
Site Visitor Files
Criteria for New Site Visitors
Board Members Files
CoAES Committee Member Responsibilities
Fees
There are two sets of fees due annually to start and maintain accreditation. CAAHEP's Annual Fee information, can be found here. In addition, an Annual Fee of $500 per accredited program is due to the CoAES each year on July 1st. An invoice will be sent 45 days prior to the due date.
For questions about the annual report, annual fees, or to request an invoice, please contact the CoAES.
