West Liberty University’s (WLU) Exercise Physiology program was recently awarded the prestigious distinction of being accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
The 18-month accreditation process began in August of 2023 with WLU faculty conducting a self-study. The self-study was submitted in May of 2024 with a site visitation taking place later that year in September. The University was notified of the accreditation in January of 2025.
WLU Exercise Physiology Department Chair and Associate Professor, Dr. Jason Metz, further explains the importance of the accreditation and the process.
“This accreditation is very important to both undergraduate and graduate students, as it allows them access to the certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine, which are required by many employers,” says Metz. “The exercise physiology department faculty and college staff put in a lot of time preparing documents and organizing the site visit. This is not just a win for the department, but the entire WLU College of Education and Human Performance,” he adds.
Exercise Physiologists fill vital roles in the fields of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Cancer Rehabilitation, and Chronic disease research.
West Liberty University currently offers both a graduate (MS) and undergraduate Exercise Physiology program.
One of only 15 in the United States, WLU’s Exercise Physiology master’s program trains students to care for populations ranging from those with clinical conditions, to elite athletes. Students perform research within the field of exercise physiology, allowing them to develop the broad skill set necessary to collaborate with other health professions. The research of WLU graduates has also been published in various journals related to the field.
WLU’s undergraduate Exercise Physiology program is one of only 113 in the county and reflects the goals set forth by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Students build a solid foundation of factual and conceptual mastery of human movement study and are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in graduate school or enter professional fields of study.
To learn more about WLU’s Exercise Physiology programs, or to begin the application process, contact department chair Dr. Jason Metz at 304-336-8831 or via email: jason.metz@westliberty.edu.
Located just oven an hour from Pittsburgh, PA, and under three hours from the Columbus, OH and Cleveland, OH metropolitan areas, West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students’ aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.
