Professional Associations
Health & Human Performance Department Association Requirements:
Upon admission into any of the majors offered by the department, all students are required to:
1. Join a state or national professional organization
2. Athletic Training majors are required to join state and national professional organizations
Adventure Education - Professional Associations
American Camp Association (ACA)
- http://www.acacamps.org
- Mission - The ACA works to preserve, promote, and improve the camp experience. Our association is committed to helping our members and all camps provide camp opportunities committed to a safe, nurturing environment; healthy, developmentally experiences; opportunities for leadership and personal growth; and discovery, experiential education, and learning opportunities.
American Canoe Association (ACA)
- http://www.americancanoe.org
- Mission - The ACA is a nationwide, not for profit organization that is in service to the broader paddling public by providing education on matters related to paddling, supporting stewardship of the paddling environment, and enabling programs and events to support paddle sport recreation.
American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA)
- http://www.amga.com
- Mission - The AMGA is a non-profit organization that seeks to represent the interests of American mountain guides by providing support, education, and standards.
Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT)
- http://www.acctinfo.org
- Mission - ACCT promotes the use of Challenge Courses and to set minimum standards for Challenge Course installation, operations, and inspections.
Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
- http://www.aee.org
- Mission - AEE strives to connect educators in practical ways so that they have access to the growing body of knowledge that fuels their growth and development; publish and provide access to relevant research, publications, and resources; raise the quality and performance of experiential programs through our accreditation program; and increase recognition of experiential education worldwide.
Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE)
- http://www.aore.org
- Mission - AORE provides opportunities for professionals and students in the field of outdoor recreation and education to exchange information, promote the preservation and conservation of the natural environment, and address issues common to college, university, community, military, and other not-for-profit outdoor recreation and education programs.
Christian Camping and Conference Association (CCCA)
- http://www.ccca.org
- Mission - CCCA provides valuable resources both for those seeking a Christian camping experience and for those who are leaders at Christian camp/conference ministries.
Leave No Trace
- http://www.LNT.org
- Mission - The Leave No Trace for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide.
Project Adventure
- http://www.pa.org
- Mission - Project Adventure is an international, non-profit adventure-based experiential curriculum and programs pioneer.
The Christian Adventure Association (CAA)
- http://www.cwlc.net
- Mission - The CCA is a community that exists to glorify Christ by encouraging, edifying, educating, and equipping wilderness and adventure leaders.
The National Speleological Society (NSS)
- http://www.caves.org
- Mission - The NSS does more than any other organization to study, explore, and conserve cave and karst resources; protect access to caves; encourage responsible management of caves and their unique environments; and promote responsible caving.
Wilderness Education Association (WEA)
- http://www.weainfo.org
- Mission - WEA promotes outdoor leadership and thereby improve the safety of outdoor trips and conservation of the wild outdoors; promotes professionalism, strategies, certification, accreditation, affiliation, membership, program and development, and the fostering of collaboration and partnership with institutions and organizations.
Wilderness Medical Association (WMA)
Athletic Training - Professional Associations
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- http://www.acsm.org
- Mission - The ACSM provides and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance.
National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)
- http://www.nata.org
- Mission - The mission of the National Athletic Trainers' Association is to enhance the quality of health care provided by certified athletic trainers and to enhance the athletic training profession.
Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society (PATS)
- http://www.gopats.org
- Mission - The mission of the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society is to provide the profession of athletic training through public awareness and education; advocate the certified athletic trainer as a recognized health care provider for the physically active in the Commonwealth through legislative and credentialing efforts; transact business on behalf of the Society's membership in a prudent, effective, and collaborative manner; and serve the membership by providing a gateway to educational, research, scholarship, and networking opportunities.
Health & Exercise Science - Professional Associations
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- http://www.acsm.org
- Mission - The ACSM provides and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance.
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- http://www.nsca-lift.org
- Mission - As the worldwide authority on strength and conditioning, we support and disseminate research-based knowledge and its practical application to improve athletic performance and fitness.
Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (MARCACSM)
- http://www.marcacsm.org
- Mission - The Mid-Atlantic Region is an active chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine. Each year, the Mid-Atlantic region hosts a convention with nationally recognized speakers. In addition, professional, graduate, and undergraduate research is highlighted from colleges and universities around the region. The Mid-Atlantic Region is comprised of schools from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington SC.
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- http://www.apta.org
- Mission - The mission of the American Physical Therapy Association is to further the profession's role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of movement dysfunctions and the enhancement of the physical health and functional abilities of members of the public.
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- http://www.nsca-lift.org
- Mission - As the worldwide authority on strength and conditioning, the NSCA supports and disseminates research-based knowledge and its practical application to improve athletic performance and fitness.
Health & Physical Education - Professional Associations
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD)
- http://www.aahperd.org
- Mission - To promote and support leadership, research, education, and best practices in the professions that support creative, healthy, and active lifestyles.
Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (PSAHPERD)
- http://www.psahperd.org
- Mission - PSAHPERD is committed to the continual professional growth and development of its members; the expansion and application of the knowledge base and methodologies; the support of the professions that encourage active healthful lifestyles by all people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Sport Management - Professional Associations
North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM)
- http://www.nassm.com
- Mission - To promote, stimulate, and encourage study, research, scholarly writing, and professional development in the area of sport management - both theoretical and applied aspects.
Sport Marketing Association (SMA)
- http://www.sportmarketingassociation.com
- Mission - SMA endeavors to develop beneficial relationships between sport marketing professionals and academicians through expansion of the field's body of knowledge and multiple forums for professional interaction.
National Association for Sport and Physical Education
- http://www.aahperd.org/naspe
- Mission - To enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high quality physical education, sport, and physical activity programs through research, development of standards, and dissemination of information.
National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA)
- http://www.nacwaa.org
- Mission - The NACWAA is dedicated to providing educational programs, professional and personal development opportunities, information exchange, and support services to enhance college athletics and to promote growth, leadership, and success of women as athletics administrators, professional staff, coaches, and student-athletes.
