Certifications

National Wellness Institute Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) Designation

The UNC Asheville Health and Wellness Promotion program has historically obtained Academic Program Accreditation status from the National Wellness Institute Council on Wellness Accreditation and Education (CWAE). The CWAE recognized undergraduate degree programs that prepare individuals to enter professions in wellness and health promotion.

After much consideration, NWI has made the difficult decision to dissolve its current academic program accreditation (APA) process. Effective immediately, the National Wellness Institute is no longer accrediting, or re-accrediting, academic programs. With a greater focus on the competency model and CWP certification program, NWI will continue to provide academic programs the value of having a standard by which to build their curriculum and fulfill students’ desires to increase their potential of earning a valuable credential upon graduation. Between July 21, 2022 and September 15, 2023: Graduates of the UNC Asheville HWP program may continue to apply for the CWP designation through the NWI Accredited Program Graduate CWP Application and are not required to sit for the CWP certification examination. Along with their application form, they must submit their official transcripts indicating they have graduated from the accredited program within 24 months of application submission and an application fee.

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

The job of a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist is to train athletes in order to improve their athletic performance. This is done through sport-specific testing sessions, designing and implementing safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs, and giving guidance in nutrition and injury prevention.

You can take Dr. Rote’s HWP 474 Strength, Conditioning, and Performance class to prepare for the CSCS exam.

CPR Certification

A CPR certification allows students to satisfy a job requirement for on-campus positions with Campus Recreation and it also prepares them to help assist someone and/or keep someone safe.

UNC Asheville’s Campus Recreation requires all of their employees to be currently CPR/AED/FA certified. Students enrolled in the Outdoor Leadership Training Program (HWP 272 ST: Outdoor Leadership) earn this certification. A CPR certification is also required to get a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification.

CPR Certification is also available through the American Red Cross Training Services in North Carolina.

Wilderness First Aid

With a certification in American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid students will be able to prevent, assess, and treat someone in need in a remote environment. Outdoor Programs offers an American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid certification and American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certification.

Students enrolled in the Outdoor Leadership Training Program (HWP 272 ST: Outdoor Leadership) earn both of these certifications.

Wilderness First Aid certification is also available through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

Many of the Outdoor Programs students also obtain Wilderness First Responder certification and Swift Water Rescue certifications through outside organizations such as: Landmark Learning, Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO), American Canoe Association.

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)

There is a wide range of duties and responsibilities a Certified Health Education Specialist is tasked with doing for individuals and communities. They work to improve and maintain the health of individuals and their communities as well as providing programs, exercise and disease prevention to those in need of assistance. These are just some of the jobs in the wide field of a Health Education Specialist.

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC)