What is the Purpose of the National Strength and Conditioning Association?

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is a nonprofit professional organization with a mission to serve and advance the strength and conditioning profession across the globe, including people with a sport psychology degree. The NSCA accomplishes its mission by supporting strength and conditioning professionals such as conditioning coaches. The focus is on professionals who are devoted to helping others realized and optimize their strengths. Strength coaches are invaluable assets to the athletic profession.

Membership Benefits

NSCA provides its members with an array of different types of services, resources and benefits. These include:

  • certifications
  • research journals
  • career development services
  • continuing education opportunities

Membership comes complete with significant discounts for national and local events sponsored by NSCA. In addition, members qualify for important recognition for their accomplishments.

According to the NSCA, members are also able to access a variety of other benefits that include:

  • certification examinations
  • events
  • NSCA store purchases

In addition, NSCA partners with other organizations and businesses. Through these partnerships, an NSCA member is able to obtain discounts and other benefits from these associated organizations and businesses.

Certification Overview

NSCA certifications are designed to highlight the competence of conditioning professionals. A person with an NSCA credential on his or her resume truly elevates his or her professional standing. In the grand scheme of things, NSCA certification differentiates a professional from the competition. The NSCA offers four types of certification:

  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists
  • Certified Special Population Specialists
  • NSCA-Certified Personal Trainers
  • Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitators

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists: These are professionals who utilize scientific knowledge to train athletes to athletic performance.

Featured Programs

Certified Special Population Specialists: These are fitness professionals who assess, motivate, educate, and train people, typically working with healthcare professionals.

NSCA-Certified Personal Trainers: These are health and fitness professionals who assess, motivate, educate, and train people in regard to their personal health and fitness needs. They typically offer a conditioning program to help achieve goals.

Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitators: These professionals apply scientific knowledge to physically train military, fire and rescue, law enforcement, and similar personnel to improve their performance.

Education Overview

NSCA offers an array of different continuing education and enrichment opportunities. These are regarded some of the best educational opportunities and resources for strength and conditioning professionals.

Professional Development Overview

The National Strength and Conditioning Association is a highly useful resource. It provides employers with the ability to access qualified potential employees who are members of the NSCA. Professionals seeking employment in the industry and able to promote themselves through the job board resource.

In addition, when it comes to professional development, the NSCA provides the Strength and Conditioning Career Guide. This guidebook provides guidance and useful advice from industry leaders. It contains other useful information as well that can prove invaluable to a person seeking employment in the industry.

Looking To Use the National Strength and Conditioning Association?

The National Strength and Conditioning Association is an invaluable resource for people interested in pursuing and succeeding a career in the strength and conditioning professional. This includes individuals who have earned a sports psychology degree. It has been and remains the premier organization in the industry for strength conditioning and more.

Related Resources: