1. DuAnn Kremer, Ph.D. Lynchburg College Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES)

2. What is CAAHEP? –Largest programmatic/specialized accreditor in the health sciences –More than 2,000 programs –In 1,400 sponsoring institutions –20 health sciences occupations Anesthesiologist Assistant, Cardiovascular Technology, Cytotechnology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Electroneurodiagnostic Technology, Emergency Medical Services Professions, Exercise Science, Kinesiotherapy, Medical Assistants, Medical Illustrator, Orthotic and Prosthetic Practitioner, Perfusion, Polysomnographic Technologist, Respiratory Therapist, Specialist in Blood Bank Technology, Surgical Assisting, Surgical Technologist

3. CAAHEP’s Goal “To establish outcomes-based academic standards for allied health professionals.”

4. Benefits of Accreditation: Outside/external validation and quality assurance – objective evaluation of an institution’s performanceOutside/external validation and quality assurance – objective evaluation of an institution’s performance Helps maintain curriculum currency against national standards – enhances public confidenceHelps maintain curriculum currency against national standards – enhances public confidence Aids marketing and student recruitmentAids marketing and student recruitment Facilitates ability of students to sit for certification/licensure examsFacilitates ability of students to sit for certification/licensure exams Increases employment opportunities for graduatesIncreases employment opportunities for graduates

5. CoAES membership Dr. Shala Davis, Chairman (CAAHEP Commissioner) Richard Cotton, ACSM (CAAHEP Commissioner) Steven Lichtman, AACVPR Dr. Cary Wing, MFA Dr. Judy Young, AAHPERD Alan Russell, NASM Gina Cortese Shipley, The Cooper Institute Dr. Jerry Purvis, AKTA Helen Binkley, NSCA Marj Reif, CAAHEP Rian Landers, NASPE Graham Melstrand, ACE Dr. Walter Thompson Dr. Susan Muller Traci Rush, CoAES administrative officer

6. Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Exercise Science [minimum of a Bachelor’s degree] Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Exercise Physiology [minimum of a Master’s degree] Applied Exercise Physiology Clinical Exercise Physiology Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Personal Fitness Training [minimum of a certificate or an Associate’s degree]

7. Where the accreditation process began: 1. 2003 - CoAES created 2. CoAES created academic standards and guidelines 3. 2004 - CoAES submitted academic standards and guidelines to CAAHEP for approval (public comment period) 4. CoAES established policies and procedures for institutions to follow for accreditation

8. Where the accreditation process is now: 4. Institutions begin 3-step accreditation process: Step 1: Complete and submit application to CAAHEP Step 2: Conduct a self-study of current curricula and submit to CoAES Step 3: CoAES conducts on-site review (1-2 day process) 5.CoAES recommends accreditation of institution to CAAHEP 6.CAAHEP meets 6 times/year to accredit institutions a.80+ institutions requesting accreditation services to date

9. 6. CAAHEP accredits institutions b. Accredited Programs (as of 02/03/09): Exercise Science (undergraduate programs) Samford University, AL Central Connecticut State University, CT Southern Connecticut State University, CT Georgia State University, GA University of Louisiana at Monroe, LA Westfield State College, MA Salisbury University, MD University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC North Dakota State University, ND Ohio Northern University, OH Bloomsburg University, PA East Stroudsburg University, PA Indiana University of Pennsylvania, PA Slippery Rock University, PA West Chester University, PA Lynchburg College, VA Old Dominion University, VA

10. 6. CAAHEP accredits institutions b. Accredited Programs (as of 02/03/09): Exercise Physiology (graduate programs) Georgia State University, GA University of Louisiana at Monroe, LA University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC Bloomsburg University, PA East Stroudsburg University, PA Personal Fitness Trainer Sinclair Community College, OH

11. Frequently Asked Questions

12. Initial Fees: Initial Application Fee payable to CoAES: $750 (discounts apply if your program was a University Connection program) Site Visit (direct costs):  $1,500 Annual Fees: Annual institutional fee payable to CAAHEP: currently $450.00 Annual program fee payable to CoAES: $500 What types of fees are associated with CAAHEP accreditation?

13. We think we have a good program. How do we know if we are ready for CAAHEP accreditation? Prior to applying for accreditation one of the simplest things you can do is to review the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the profession. The Standards and Guidelines are available on the CAAHEP (www.caahep.org) website and the CoAES website (www.coaes.org).

14. Retention: 70% - students must continue in the program Culminating Experience: 75% at 60% or higher on a National Certification Exam, Internship, and/or a research project Graduate Placement: 80% - employment/graduate school rates of students upon graduation Graduate Satisfaction Surveys: 50% return rate; 85% of questions with a 3 or better on a 5-point Likert Scale Employer Satisfaction Survey: 50% return rate; 85% of questions with a 3 or better on a 5-point Likert Scale What are the outcome measures associated with CAAHEP accreditation?

15. Will we need to change the name of our program? Neither CAAHEP nor the CoAES requires the program name to be changed.

16. Will we need to change the name of our department? Neither CAAHEP nor the CoAES requires the department name to be changed.

17. Will we need to change the name of the degrees we award to graduates of our program? Neither CAAHEP nor the CoAES requires a change to the names of the degrees your program currently awards.

18. Will we need to change our curriculum? CAAHEP program accreditation is outcomes-based, as opposed to process-based. Specifically, this means that outcome measures, such as graduation rate, graduate employment rate, and employer comments regarding the competencies of program graduates are a few examples of the critical measures the CoAES will be evaluating. Therefore, recommended changes to a program’s curriculum, if necessary, should be minor and will be based on the program’s ability to meet and/or exceed these outcome measures.

19. Will we need to hire additional faculty? The majority of programs applying for accreditation already meet the standards for personnel, specifically with respect to the program director, faculty and/or instructional staff.

20. How long does the accreditation process take? The accreditation process from application to the actual awarding of accreditation is approximately one year. This time period can vary based on the overall readiness of the program, the quality of the self-study document, the availability of volunteers for the on-site review, and scheduled meetings of the various committees.

21. With the exception of initial accreditation, CAAHEP accreditation does not expire. Initial accreditation is 5 years. At the end of the designated timeframe, a program may be awarded continuing accreditation or its initial accreditation may be allowed to expire. Once a program has received continuing accreditation, accreditation remains in place until the CAAHEP Board of Directors votes otherwise. CAAHEP policy does currently require a comprehensive review at least once every 10 years. Does CAAHEP accreditation expire?

22. How do I get started with the accreditation process for my institution? 1.Complete a CAAHEP Request for Accreditation Services application 2.Forward the completed request to the CoAES 3.The CoAES then forwards materials about accreditation fees, the self-study document and the comprehensive on-site review 4.Complete the self-study process 5.Apply for an on-site review

23. The On-Site Review

24. Team Make-Up Initial: Two trained site visitors Two day visit

25. Team Make-up General Qualifications Complete Site Visitor TrainingComplete Site Visitor Training Educational Experience (Faculty member)Educational Experience (Faculty member)

26. Team Make-up Assignment CriteriaAssignment Criteria –No conflict of interest –One site visitor is assigned as team captain –One site visitor must have satisfactorily completed at least one previous site visit

27. Team Make-up Additional PersonnelAdditional Personnel –Trainees and observers may accompany the evaluation team

28. Typical Schedule First dayFirst day –Team arrives –Meets with college administration –Meets with program faculty –Meets with Advisory Committee –Meets with students –Reviews documentation & laboratory facilities Evening of first dayEvening of first day –Prepares preliminary report

29. Schedule (cont.) Second DaySecond Day –Final review of program information –Consultation conference with Program Director –Summation conference with Program Director, program faculty, administration, and other interested parties

30. After the Visit The On-Site Review Report is filed with CoAESThe On-Site Review Report is filed with CoAES CoAES meets every 2-3 months to recommend accreditation for programs that have been reviewedCoAES meets every 2-3 months to recommend accreditation for programs that have been reviewed CAAHEP Board meets 6 times per year to vote on programs recommended for accreditationCAAHEP Board meets 6 times per year to vote on programs recommended for accreditation If accreditation is awarded, annual reporting of outcomes beginsIf accreditation is awarded, annual reporting of outcomes begins

31. www.coaes.orgwww.caahep.org