Buffalo, NY - Career-focused certificate programs launched by Canisius University in 2024-25 created new pathways for professional advancement and responded directly to evolving market demands. The school introduced two specialized advanced certificates designed to meet critical workforce needs while providing flexible learning options for working professionals.
The new Advanced Certificate in Sports Performance taps into the booming $13 billion exercise and personal training industry. This fully online graduate program through the Department of Kinesiology equips students with specialized training while earning prestigious Certificates of Distinction from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
"The integration of nationally recognized NASM certifications distinguishes this program and gives our graduates a significant competitive advantage in the industry," says Karl Kozlowski, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology.
The Advanced Certificate in Sports Performance comprises four specialized courses that enable students to earn NASM Certificates of Distinction in:
- Performance and Enhancement Specialist
- Corrective Exercise Specialist
- Certified Sports Nutrition Coach
- Certified Behavior Change Specialist
The program also serves as a bridge to Canisius University's master's degree in exercise science, offering students the opportunity to further their education and professional expertise.
Meanwhile, the All Grades Advanced Certificate in Literacy addresses a critical educational need by preparing teachers to become literacy specialists across all grade levels.
"This new certification programs offers an opportunity for educators to deepen their expertise in literacy instruction and empower them to become transformative leaders in supporting students’ fundamental learning skills,” says Nancy Wallace, PhD, dean of the School of Education and Human Services. “By providing a comprehensive, research-backed approach to literacy education, we are helping teachers make a lasting impact on student learning across all grade levels.”
The new certificate program aligns with New York State and national Science of Reading initiatives. It is a six-course, 18-credit program that enables teachers to enhance their professional qualifications through a flexible online format. Key features of the program include:
• Comprehensive curriculum in research-backed literacy instruction
• Practical learning opportunities near educators’ workplaces
• Expert faculty with extensive literacy education experience
• Flexible online format for working professionals
Canisius University’s online Graduate Literacy Programs is housed within the School of Education and Human Services and boasts an impressive 95 percent pass rate on the literacy certification exam. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Canisius among the “Best Online Master’s in Education” programs in the nation.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
