About USA Gymnastics University

Mission | General University Information | General requirements for University Admission
Application for USA Gymnastics University Pre-Placement | Continuing University Education

University Mission
Provide a multi-level, standardized education and certification program that is available throughout the country with emphasis on the proper development of gymnastics participants in a positive and safe environment.

General University Information

USA Gymnastics University is a collection of resources for gymnastics education. The University provides greater educational opportunities for coaches, instructors, teachers, judges, and administrators at all levels and in all disciplines of gymnastics. Included as a part of the University are educational courses and programs, technical materials and publications, and a professional certification program.

There are four schools of study within the University


School of Competitive Gymnastics

School of Recreational Gymnastics

School of Business

School of Judging

  • Each school is divided into several different tiers to which one may achieve certification. Certifications are progressive and completion of one tier is required prior to obtaining next certification. Coursework for the next certification tier can be pursued at any time.
  • Certifications can be earned by completing designated "core" course work and school specific courses. Courses and other requirements vary depending on the school of study and tier of certification.
General requirements for University Admission
Certifications can be earned by completing designated "core" course work and school specific courses. Courses and other requirements vary depending on the school of study and tier of certification.

Regardless of what area of study one chooses, everyone within the university must:

  • Successfully complete U100: Fundamental Of Gymnastics Instruction Course (online)
  • Be a current USA Gymnastics Member (Professional, Junior Professional, Introductory Coach, Junior Introductory Coach, Instructor, Athlete).
  • Have a current background check with NCSI (18 years and older)
  • Be responsible for knowing the course requirements for the certification they are pursuing. (While course requirements can and will change for different certification types, those who have already received the certification will maintain as active/current certifications)
Note:
  • Admission to multiple schools within the university is permitted.
  • Course requirements are subject to change at any time.
  • Designated purchased technical material, and free downloads are eligible for credit as of 8/1/2011. Proper paperwork for credit must be submitted to USA Gymnastics.
Application for USA Gymnastics University Pre-Placement:
USA Gymnastics recognizes that a vast majority of our members have completed and are actively involved in many of the educational opportunities the university has to offer.

Those who are interested in achieving certifications within the university will also have the opportunity to be pre-placed at a higher level than the entry level. These applicants must have had vast work experience/achievements and completed higher education through USA Gymnastics University.

Pre Placement can occur within each school, at the third and fourth tier of certification.

Eligibility for Pre-Placement:
You are eligible to apply for pre-placement if:

  • You have held a USA Gymnastics Professional Membership for a minimum of 3 years
  • You are a current Professional Member in the discipline/program to which you are applying for pre-placement
  • You are a minimum of 18 years old
  • You completed course U100 Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction
  • You have a current background check with NCSI
If you are eligible for university pre-placement based on the criteria above, please download the appropriate pre-placement application for the school of study to which you are applying.

Pre-Placement Process:

  • USA Gymnastics does its best in placing competitive coaches in the university. This pre-placement is done by capturing work experience you provide and coursework obtained through USA Gymnastics database.
  • Placement in multiple schools is also available to those who qualify for pre-placement.
  • USA Gymnastics course work completed in previous years is automatically applied towards certification requirements.
  • Placement application processing and placement within the university will take 8-10 weeks for completion.
  • After submitting your application for pre-placement, you may check "My Membership" on the member services page at www.usagym.org periodically for processing updates.
  • Pre-placement in this university represents education level and not competency.
  • Pre-placement in the university can only occur when U100 Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction is completed regardless of the level of placement you have achieved.
Continuing University Education (CUE):
In order to maintain certification in the university, a certified coach must obtain a designated number of courses over a specific time period.

This is specific per discipline in the School of Competitive and School of Judging.

  • Each certification within a school of study will note if and what the CUE requirements are.
  • Each certified coach is responsible to keep accurate records of their Continuing University Education, including documentation of attendance from approved course list.
  • The USA Gymnastics National Office will conduct audits each year that will require randomly selected certified members to provide actual documentation of their Continuing University Education.

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