About Us

Vision

Leading the strength and conditioning profession globally through the principles and values of science.

The International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2019, dedicated to advancing excellence in sports performance and exercise science worldwide.

As the only international accreditation body for S&C within the higher education (HE) sector, we partner with universities around the world to improve academic and sports performance departments, and associate areas within the S&C field.

We recognize the best programs through our Degree Accreditation program, and provide world-class courses and qualifications through our International Qualifications Framework (IQF), Accredited International Strength and Conditioning Practitioner (aISCP), and Master Distinction (mISCP) programs.

We also publish the sector's leading Diamond Open Access journal, the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning.

Join us in shaping the future of sports performance.

Mission

To professionalise strength and conditioning globally through the principles and values of science by developing a coherent international practitioner pathway; accrediting education and training; establishing standards and independent regulation; and advancing the field through diamond open-access scholarship via the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning.

Key Areas

Our key areas of focus include:

1) International Professional Standards, Regulation, and Global Portability
Developing and stewarding a coherent international practitioner pathway and professional standards, supported by independent regulation and verification, so credentials are credible and portable across borders.

2) Degree Accreditation
Accrediting academic programmes that develop scientific practitioners: graduates who can apply the principles and values of science to decision-making in real-world sport settings, supported by substantial practical experience and evidence within a Practitioner Portfolio.

3) Education, Certification, and Practitioner Development
Delivering and endorsing education and certification that emphasise competence, safety, and independent thinking—progressing from supervised practice to autonomous scientific practice across levels.

4) Practitioner Portfolio and CPD
Embedding a lifelong Practitioner Portfolio approach to planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reflective practice: so CPD is evidenced, relevant, and tied to professional standards rather than attendance alone.

5) Diamond Open Access Scholarship and Scientific Scrutiny
Advancing the field through diamond open-access scholarship via the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning, supporting transparent debate, replication, critique, and better explanations: not just publication volume.

6) Professional Community and Knowledge Exchange
Building a global community of practitioners, educators, and researchers through structured knowledge exchange (case discussions, mentoring, peer learning, and events) designed to improve judgement and practice quality.

7) Strategic Global Partnerships
Forming alliances with universities, professional bodies, and industry partners to support alignment to standards, professional recognition, research quality, and the responsible development of the profession.

Ron McKeefery, Head of S&C, UW Huskies

I am in full support of the IUSCA, creating a global S&C community is something we can all benefit from.

Joe Kenn, Vice President Performance Education, Dynamic Fitness and Strength

The mISCP allows me to continue to promote the profession at the highest levels and increase the reach I may have to help and mentor our future generations of performance professionals.

Liane Blyn, Director of Sports Performance, Arizona State University

I strongly believe in and support the mission and the vision of the IUSCA. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of an amazing community of others receiving the mISCP accreditation

Brijesh Patel, Associate Athletic Director Athletic Performance, Quinnipiac University

The mISCP gives recognition for what I have done for the field of Strength and Conditioning and what I will continue to do to help the next generation of coaches.

Andrew Langford, Performance Consultant, IUSCA

It's great to have an international standard for courses and qualifications. This makes it easy for coaches to understand the level they are at, and where they want to be.

Rick Franzblau, Assistant AD for Sports Performance, Clemson University

I have high regard for this association as I think the IUSCA has done a tremendous job trying to link universities and students across the world to drive the performance industry towards new heights.

Jed Smith, Director of Strength and Conditioning, University of Northern Iowa

It truly is an honor to be recognized by a group of internationally acknowledged professionals. This distinction is especially humbling and very meaningful to me as I accurately understand the standards set and quality control that is upheld by the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association.

Adam Hermann, Assistant Athletics Director Sports Performance, Northwestern

I believe that the IUSCA provides the international sports performance community with a governing body that our field can be proud of. The mISCP is another step that the IUSCA has provided our community to further validate our profession and the framework for growth and development to continue. I am proud to be associated with the IUSCA and with the mISCP distinction.

Bobby Fisk, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, NJIT

Stephanie Mock, Assistant AD for Sports Performance, University of Pittsburgh

Grateful and honored for the opportunity to collaborate with IUSCA providing opportunities for those internationally. We strive to bring in the top talent no matter what part of the globe they are from.

Ashley Samaniego, Director of Sports Performance, CSUN

I am honored to be recognized by the IUSCA. This distinction is meaningful as it puts a milestone in my career. We are in a service-type profession and this distinction is a great reminder to reflect on the services I have provided.

Michael Hill, Associate Athletic Director of Sports Performance, Georgetown University

The mISCP is extremely important as our profession is not domestic, but rather transcontinental. As Practitioners from all continents, we are all working in the Human Performance profession and face similar challenges and successes. The IUSCA has brought together a platform to collaborate and celebrate those challenges and successes.

Griffin Waller, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance, University of Portland

I’m honored to hold the mISCP distinction with the IUSCA. They have demonstrated a true passion for elevating the profession through innovation, education, and collaboration. The IUSCA is setting the standard for best practice within the industry and the mISCP accreditation is a distinction I greatly value.

Stephen Englehart, Director of Strength and Conditioning, University of Colorado

The IUSCA has been excellent in developing the growing area of strength and conditioning (S&C) worldwide. What a great organization to be a part of. To be able to help young men and women worldwide with their development of strength and conditioning has always been a passion of mine. The Distinction award I am receiving is a true honor.

Glenn Corcoran, Manager of the High Performance Training Centre, Bond University

I am driven to keep improving my knowledge, skills & qualifications within the industry to be the best I can be for myself, the athletes and teams I work with and to Bond University. The mISCP Distinction is another tool in the box that identifies and acknowledges the work, education & commitment to your field by an International Association that is striving to elevate the profile & professionalism of Strength and Conditioning worldwide.

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