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Accreditation

ASEP Accreditation:  A Brief History, Purpose, and Academic Guidelines

The American Society of Exercise Physiologists was founded in 1997 to unite exercise physiologists and promote the professional development of exercise physiology. Thus, it serves to protect the well-being of exercise physiologists by enhancing the proficiency of their work and educating the public about their proactive health role in athletics, fitness, private practice exercise medicine and medical field programs. ASEP also fosters the exchange of ideas and research among exercise physiologists and provides a platform for the continual advancement of the profession.

Among the goals and objectives of ASEP is the development of standards for the profession of exercise physiology. Such standards include a formal Code of Ethics, Standards of Professional Practice, the Exercise Physiologist Certified (EPC) board certification and Exercise Physiologist-Practitioner (EPC-P) credentialling, and a nationwide effort to standardize academic programs through accreditation. While certification evaluates the competence of the individual, accreditation is meant to ensure academic programs are preparing students for work in the exercise physiology profession.

Through the collaborative efforts of exercise physiologists from around the country, the accreditation guidelines manual was initially approved by the Board of Directors at the 1999 national meeting and currently represents the compilation of work by exercise physiologists who have identified standards acceptable for educating students for a career in exercise physiology. Academic institutions interested in ASEP Accreditation are encouraged to review this Accreditation Manual as a first step in candidate application. 

  • 1. Review Accreditation Manual (hyperlink above)
  • 2. At least one faculty must join ASEP as professional member to be Point-Of-Contact for the Accreditation Candidate institution.
  • 3. POC logged into asep.org unlocks Candidate Application page
  • 4. POC creates candidate profile for free submission of self-study, CVs, etc. 
  • 5. ASEP Board of Accreditation works with POC on recommendations/requirements agreeable to candidate program and approves candidate accreditation.
  • 6. Candidate Program submits annual fee online to accept and sustain accreditation status and benefits for member faculty and students. 

Individuals with questions can email info@asep.org