Course Accreditation
Course Accreditation Requirements documents
ESSA offers three levels of accreditation within its course accreditation program:
- Exercise Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science (Level 1)
Course accreditation is a rigorous process. The award of ESSA course accreditation provides potential students with assurance that the course:
- Provides a high quality study experience.
- Aligns with competency standards for entry into the profession.
- Graduating from an ESSA accredited course provides the public with assurance that the practitioner will be highly trained and able to practice in the profession safely.
Exercise Science Course Accreditation
To be ESSA accredited, exercise science courses must:
- lead to a four year Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 7 qualification (Bachelor degree) or above; and
- demonstrate that the course meets the ESSA exercise science course accreditation requirements*
*See applying for qualifying accreditation and applying for full accreditation for more information.
Graduates from an ESSA accredited exercise science course can apply to become an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES) by submitting their application to ESSA. For more information on how to apply, please visit our apply now page.
Exercise Physiology Course Accreditation
To be ESSA accredited, exercise physiology courses must:
- lead to a four year Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 7 qualification (Bachelor degree) or above; and
- demonstrate that the course meets the ESSA exercise physiology course accreditation requirements*
*See applying for qualifying accreditation and applying for full accreditation more information.
Note: A course seeking accreditation at the level of Exercise Physiology only, must have provisions in place to ensure that all students graduating from the course have also met the exercise science competency standards and exercise science practicum requirements. These requirements are a prerequisite for an individual to obtain professional credentialing as an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP).
Graduates from an ESSA accredited exercise physiology course can apply to become an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES) and/or an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) by submitting their application to ESSA. For more information on how to apply, please visit our apply now page.
Sports Science Level 1 Accreditation
To be ESSA accredited, sports science (level 1) courses must:
- lead to a four-year Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 7 qualification (Bachelor degree) or above; and
- demonstrate that the course meets the ESSA Sports Science (level 1) course accreditation requirements*
*See applying for qualifying accreditation and applying for full accreditation more information.
Note: A course seeking accreditation at the level of Sports Science only, must have provisions in place to ensure that all students graduating from the course have also met the exercise science competency standards and exercise science practicum requirements. These requirements are a prerequisite for an individual to obtain professional credentialing as an accredited Sports Scientist level 1 (ASpS).
Graduates from an ESSA accredited sports science course can apply to become an Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES) and/or an Accredited Sports Scientist level 1 (ASpS) by submitting their application to ESSA. For more information on how to apply, please visit our apply now page.
Guide
The document below has also been created in conjunction with the Professional Standards, to assist universities when submitting their applications:
AEP Professional Standards- Support Guide 170921.pdf
ASpS Professional Standards for Accreditation Support Guide