Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education
The SUNY Cortland Undergraduate Strength and Conditioning Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE), a recognized authority in quality strength and conditioning education. This accreditation demonstrates our commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and excellence in our strength and conditioning program. Our curriculum, faculty, and facilities have undergone rigorous evaluation to ensure that we provide students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to excel in the field of strength and conditioning and keep athletes safe.
CASCE accreditation ensures that strength and conditioning programs meet the highest industry standards, giving students confidence in their education. Only graduates of CASCE-accredited programs qualify to take the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam starting 2030, a top credential that sets graduates apart in the eyes of employers. This accreditation helps ensure that professionals are well-trained to prevent athlete injuries and uphold the credibility and value of the profession. The SUNY Cortland Memorial Library is a recognized testing center for the National Strength and Conditioning Association's certifying exams (e.g., CSCS, CPT, CSPS, TSAC-F, and CPSS).
SCHP Program Overview
CASCE Accreditation Status: Initial Accreditation Granted
Program Director and Field Experience Coordinator: Bryanne Bellovary, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D; bryanne.bellovary@cortland.edu
| Metric | 2024-2025 |
|---|---|
| Fall Program Enrollment | 115 |
| Retention Rate | 73% |
| Graduation Rate | 63% |
| Graduate Placement Rate | 92% |
| Students Sat for CSCS Exam | 3 |
| Students Passed CSCS Exam First Time | 3 |
| CSCS Exam Pass Rate | 100% |
| Three-Year Ave. CSCS Exam Pass Rate | TBD |
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the SCHP program have opportunities as strength and conditioning coaches, personal trainers, sport/human performance coaches, sport scientists, human movement scientists, exercise/performance physiologists, biomechanists, injury prevention specialists, and fitness/health/wellness/exercise specialists, to name a few. The National Strength and Conditioning Association partnered with the Employers Council to survey professionals to gather salary insights for related careers.
According to the 2025 National Strength and Conditioning Salary Survey, there was a 6.7% annual growth in salaries since 2018, with average salaries ranging from $68,089 to $98,564. Salary data were collected from a variety of work settings, including high schools, colleges/universities, professional sports, tactical sectors (e.g., military, firefighter, and police populations), independent or private sectors, and performance & sport science. Early career professionals, those with 0 to 5 years of experience, could earn an average starting salary of $46,502 to $63,383, varying by work settings, with the potential for salary growth through experience & promotion, additional education beyond a Bachelor's Degree, and/or additional certifications beyond the CSCS (e.g., TSAC-F, CPSS, and RSCC).