Professional certifications
Exercise Specialist | Registered Dietitian
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Exercise Specialist®
The ACSM Exercise Specialist® (ES) is a healthcare professional certified by ACSM to delivery a variety of exercise assessment, training, rehabilitation, risk factor identification, and lifestyle management services to individuals with or at risk for cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disease(s).
These services are typically delivered in cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation programs, physicians' offices, or medical fitness centers. The ES is also competent to provide exercise-related consulting for research, public health, and other clinical and non-clinical services and programs.
Students will have a strong foundation in the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required for the Exercise Specialist academic competencies specified by the American College of Sports Medicine. Students completing an approved clinical internship will have a minimum of 600 hours of practical experience in a clinical exercise program and will be eligible to take the exam for certification as an Exercise Specialist® after completing this degree.
Assessment of student achievement in the Nutrition and Exercise Physiology program will be determined by KSAs as defined by the American College of Sports Medicine.
These include:
- Knowledge competencies in core scientific content and its application to exercise physiology and metabolism: chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, human nutrition, nutritional physiology and metabolism, exercise physiology, human development, human behavior and psychology, exercise programming, electrocardiography, biomechanical analyses, pathophysiology of certain diseases.
- Skills in critical thinking, professional ethics, client interaction, client education and resources (e.g., software, technology, equipment use/calibration/ maintenance), management, marketing, exercise assessment and prescription, and emergency procedures during exercise testing and program supervision.
- Ability to:
- describe normal and abnormal physiological and metabolic indices in resting and exercising persons,
- discuss the use and limits of informed consent and medical clearance,
- measure and assess physiological responses to exercise,
- counsel for lifestyle management,
- recommend and modify exercise prescription for all ages and various diseases/conditions (e.g., cardiopulmonary disease, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndromes, arthritis, hypertension, chronic pain, cancer, etc.),
- identify risk factors and provide recommendations for contraindicative factors to exercise,
- demonstrate specific leadership techniques appropriate for working with participants of all ages, educate clients about mechanisms by which exercise may assist in the prevention or rehabilitation of various diseases,
- describe specific strategies to encourage the initiation and adherence to healthy exercise and nutrition strategies and return to a healthy lifestyle, and
- demonstrate an understanding of the need for psychosocial consultation and referral of individuals who exhibit signs of psychological distress.
Learn more about certification by visiting the ACSM's web site.
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Registered Dietitian
A Registered Dietitian (RD) is a highly trained food and nutrition expert who has met stringent academic and professional requirements, including:
- Bachelor's degree with course work approved by ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.
- Complete an accredited, supervised, six- to 12-month experiential practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or foodservice corporation.
- Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
- Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support, and diabetes education.
Learn more about Registered Dietitians by visiting the ADA's web site.
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