The American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) is a professional membership organization that supports swimming coaches through education, certification, and career opportunities. Founded in 1958, ASCA has more than 18,000 members who enjoy benefits such as magazine and newsletter subscriptions and special discounts on other items. ASCA also holds exclusive clinics to facilitate networking and career advancement for members.
ASCA offers three membership tiers: annual, life, and joint. Annual membership tier benefits include access to certifications and a 15-percent discount on all ASCA store items.
The purchase of a life membership tier requires no renewal fees. The joint membership tier gives membership to both ASCA and the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA).
ASCA members are eligible to apply for certification that allows employers to easily assess coaches’ credentials. ASCA-certified coaches are more trusted by employers and parents.
ASCA certification, encompassing five levels, is based on three main components: education, experience, and achievement. Coaches can complete the required educational courses on-site, online, or at home. After passing the courses with a minimum score of 85 percent, coaches may submit a certificate of completion as a supporting document in their applications.
Coaches can apply for certification through three different pathways: performance, education, or career development. Performance coaching certification is the most common pathway.
All performance coaches must complete a course titled Foundations of Coaching to qualify for Level 1 certification. Level 2 certification requires the completion of the Strokes course in addition to coaching experience of at least six months. Higher certification levels require either additional continuing education credits or evidence of coaching achievement.
To be eligible for Level 3 certification, coaches must complete the Physiology course and fulfill the coaching achievement criteria, which include serving as the primary coach for athletes for a minimum of 12 months. Athletes from different age groups or specialties count toward this criteria. Coaches can work with athletes in high school, college, or the YMCA. Additionally, coaches can list open water, disability swimming, and international athletes in their coaching achievements.
Coaches complete the Administration course in preparation for Level 4 certification. The Leadership course is the fifth and final core course for Level 5 certification. Levels 4 and 5 also require coaching achievement.
Coaches who have not yet started or completed long-term coaching may apply for higher-level certification through the education pathway rather than the performance pathway. Levels 3, 4, and 5 require coaches to complete additional enrichment courses on topics such as advanced swimming techniques, strategies for master and novice swimmers, and dryland training.
ASCA also offers a special certification for career development coaches. In addition to the core education requirements, this certification is based on extensive experience. To qualify, coaches must demonstrate 10 to 15 years of active coaching in a multilevel system and provide a reference letter from a head coach. If coaches complete additional courses or coach new athletes after applying and successfully earning their certification, they can update their certification details, listing additional courses, clinics, or experiences they have completed since first applying.
ASCA offers three membership tiers: annual, life, and joint. Annual membership tier benefits include access to certifications and a 15-percent discount on all ASCA store items.
The purchase of a life membership tier requires no renewal fees. The joint membership tier gives membership to both ASCA and the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA).
ASCA members are eligible to apply for certification that allows employers to easily assess coaches’ credentials. ASCA-certified coaches are more trusted by employers and parents.
ASCA certification, encompassing five levels, is based on three main components: education, experience, and achievement. Coaches can complete the required educational courses on-site, online, or at home. After passing the courses with a minimum score of 85 percent, coaches may submit a certificate of completion as a supporting document in their applications.
Coaches can apply for certification through three different pathways: performance, education, or career development. Performance coaching certification is the most common pathway.
All performance coaches must complete a course titled Foundations of Coaching to qualify for Level 1 certification. Level 2 certification requires the completion of the Strokes course in addition to coaching experience of at least six months. Higher certification levels require either additional continuing education credits or evidence of coaching achievement.
To be eligible for Level 3 certification, coaches must complete the Physiology course and fulfill the coaching achievement criteria, which include serving as the primary coach for athletes for a minimum of 12 months. Athletes from different age groups or specialties count toward this criteria. Coaches can work with athletes in high school, college, or the YMCA. Additionally, coaches can list open water, disability swimming, and international athletes in their coaching achievements.
Coaches complete the Administration course in preparation for Level 4 certification. The Leadership course is the fifth and final core course for Level 5 certification. Levels 4 and 5 also require coaching achievement.
Coaches who have not yet started or completed long-term coaching may apply for higher-level certification through the education pathway rather than the performance pathway. Levels 3, 4, and 5 require coaches to complete additional enrichment courses on topics such as advanced swimming techniques, strategies for master and novice swimmers, and dryland training.
ASCA also offers a special certification for career development coaches. In addition to the core education requirements, this certification is based on extensive experience. To qualify, coaches must demonstrate 10 to 15 years of active coaching in a multilevel system and provide a reference letter from a head coach. If coaches complete additional courses or coach new athletes after applying and successfully earning their certification, they can update their certification details, listing additional courses, clinics, or experiences they have completed since first applying.
