Q: “What’s the difference between Complete Program Design and the Certified Program Design Course?”

A: CPDS goes deep into the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of successful program design. We want to make sure that you’re not simply plugging in a program that ‘looks good’ without understanding the goals and needs you’re trying to address. As a certified coach you will have a complete understanding of why you are doing what you are doing, when to do it and how to progress it. You will also be able to assess and recognize the potential issues you may run into with your athletes.

Q: “What if I don’t want the certification, just the information from the course?”

A: Simple, register for the CPDS course, and don’t take the test. I know not everyone needs the initials after their name, but some may still want the education, so you are not required to take the test at the end (you must take the test though, if you want to be certified).

Q: “How is the CPDS different than other program design courses?”

A: National Sports Performance Association is the educational partner of Athletes Acceleration – an organization that has been the leader in athletic performance development education for the past 13 years. Coaches from over 107 countries worldwide have been using our speed courses. Joining forces with one of the industry’s best coaches, Robert Dos Remedios, makes this course the best around. Coach Dos has been designing programs as a coach for over 28 years and is the most sought after Coach in the industry when it comes to program design. This Coaching Certification is what we actually use with our staff to teach them to design effective programs. It dives deep into how to design a scientifically sounds and real world effective training program.

So, pretty much to answer your question, we do athletic performance development. It has been our focus at Athletes Acceleration and the National Sports Performance Association for 12 years and Coach Dos’ focus for his entire career. We don’t dabble and put out a bunch of different random certifications that we think people will buy. We do what we do best – educate other coaches how to make their athletes better.

Q: “Why did National Sports Performance Association create a Program Design Certification?”

A: The CPDS Certification was developed to address a growing need for coaches.

During the past decade there has been a growing trend of coaches simply borrowing other’s programs and plugging them in with their own athletes without any deeper understanding of why or how that program was designed in the first place.

So we decided to create a solution to this specific problem: how to ensure that a coach could not only know where to find information they could trust on how to design their own effective programs, but to understand the science and logic behind why each choice throughout the program design process is being made.

That’s why we developed this Certification.

We want to help coaches know that they are not just piecing together random movements in hopes of improving the performance of their athletes. Instead, they are expert practitioners of a proven system to design the right program for the athlete based on their individual needs and goals.

Q: What happens if you update the information in CPDS?

A: If you join and get the CPDS, you will get free access to all future updates with the program. We won’t ask you to pay again for this course if we make updates to it. Yes, like any other coach that continues to learn better ways to do things to get the most out of our athletes, we may change the CPDS down the road. So if we do make any updates or changes to the CPDS course, we will let you know and you can go check out the new material for free.

Q: “How long does it take to finish the course and receive my certification?”

A: You are able to take this course at your own pace. This class is over 5 hours of video training, so if you are working at it full-time you could technically complete the course and take all the tests in one day (although this is not recommended). To fully understand and apply the materials, you should allow 7-14 days in order to fully grasp the material.

Q: “How will this certificate help me?”

A: It depends on who you are…

If you’re a coach – this Certification will give you the knowledge to design programs that will make all of your athletes better.  Much, much better. It separates yourself and your athletes from your competition.

If you’re a fitness professional – this Certification will empower you to deliver better results to your clients. This ultimately means more clients and a better business because you will be positioned as the trusted expert in your area.

Q: “How is the CPDS Course Delivered?”

A: The Certified Program Design Specialist™ Course is a digital course and will be entirely online (nothing will be shipped to you). Once you enroll, you will be given access to all of the material in our secure members area where you will be able to start the course on your own time, at your own pace. 

Q: “Do I need CEU’s to keep this certification?”

A: No. You are not required to get CEU’s to keep this credential. You earned it after you took the test. We will update this course with new material and you will have access to it for free. If you go through this course and pass the test, you have the information available to be a master of program design.

Q: “Am I guaranteed to get certified if I take the class?”

A: No. A certification that can simply be purchased isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. That’s why our course is challenging. If we’re going to allow you to carry the CPDS Certification Credential, you better believe you’re going to have to earn it.

Q: “How difficult is the test?”

A: You’ll find that the test is “satisfyingly difficult.” By that I mean, it’s difficult enough that you need to actually know the materials, but it isn’t tricky or difficult just for the sake of being difficult. That said, to preserve the exclusivity and importance of this designation, we have made the tests challenging and the questions do pertain to our proprietary coaching methodologies, so you shouldn’t expect to be able to pass the test just because you have taken other program design courses or feel like you understand the development of effective training programs. This training is different, and the exams will reflect those differences.

Q: “Why do I need this CPDS Certification?”

A: The answer is simple.  Better programs yield better results.

It doesn’t matter if you work with soccer players, baseball players, football players or any other young athletes.  If they want to reach their potential, the program they’re following dramatically impacts that outcome. This Certification will give you the knowledge and skills you need to deliver the results they want.

Q: “How valuable is this certification?”

A: The certification itself is highly valuable if you need to set yourself apart from the competition. What’s far more valuable than any badge or certification, however, is the actual knowledge you’re going to receive when you take this course and pass the test. You will know how to design world-class programs regardless of athlete, season, goal or need.

Q: “What if I fail? Am I allowed to retake the test?”

A: Yes, you may take the test up to 2 times. After 2 failed attempts, you will be required to retake the class (which you can do for free; just contact us to be set up and so we can see how we can help you understand the material better).

Q: “How long do I have to complete the class and take the test once I am enrolled?”

A: You can move at your own pace! We understand that life happens, and that just because you enroll today that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to finish (or even start) the class this week. And that’s ok! Take as long as you like. We aren’t going anywhere, and neither is this certification.