"The benefit of this accreditation is that it increases our students' marketability," Patricia O. Reger, PT, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Biokinetics said.  "For a university to get accreditation, there are requirements the university must fulfill, and we have exceeded these expectations.  This accreditation sets us apart from other schools and programs.  If an employer sees that a student is coming from an accredited university, the student may have an edge against other students who may be competing with them for positions in the field."

The Exercise Science program at Eastern University prepares students for entry-level exercise science careers involving people on a broad continuum of health and physical fitness and in a wide variety of settings.  The program is formed on the biological and physiological sciences and focused on human work, which encompasses recreation, athletic competition, occupation, and medical therapy.  The rigorous curriculum builds on the foundational study of health, fitness concepts and nutrition to lead students through the more advanced study of exercise biochemistry, physiology and prescription in populations that range from the elite athlete to end-stage heart failure. 

Eastern University is one of only 20 national colleges/universities to have received accreditation from the CAAHEP for an Exercise Science program. Of these 20 institutions, only two are members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. "Right now, this accreditation is voluntary; it's not mandated," Dr. Reger said.  "We believe that in the near future state licensure will be necessary to prescribe exercise, and in order for one to obtain such licensure, graduation from an accredited program will be mandatory.  Additionally, this accreditation makes us more competitive among other comparable universities and gives us an edge due to possible future mandatory accreditation."

Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor in the health science field.  The Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES) falls under the sponsorship of the CAAHEP.  The standards and guidelines to which academic programs in exercise science must adhere are established by CoAES.  It is the role of the CoAES to review and provide recommendation for all programs seeking CAAHEP accreditation. 

"This accreditation is the result of endless hard work and dedication of all the faculty and staff, full-time and adjunct alike, in the department of Biokinetics," Dr. Reger said.  "The department as a whole was extremely instrumental in us obtaining this accreditation, and we are excited for the opportunities that this will bring to our students."

For more information about Eastern's Department of Biokinetics, visit http://eastern.edu/academic/cas/depts/biokinetics/index.html

To learn more about the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, visit

http://www.caahep.org