CARPINTERIA, CA—October 6, 2021—The ISSA College of Exercise Science, a distance education institution, announced a name change to Lionel University. The name change is part of the school’s transformation into a full-fledged university. The change will take place during the last quarter of 2021, with the institution officially operating fully under the name of Lionel University beginning on January 1, 2022.

“As part of our growth as an academic institution, we’re becoming a university and adopting the name Lionel University,” said Alex Hoffmann, President and Chief Academic Officer, Lionel University. “Our transformation into Lionel University allows us to provide a greater array of program offerings and degree levels, which meet the needs of students, alumni, the health, fitness, and wellness industries, and the clients our graduates serve.”

In addition, Lionel University now offers its first graduate degree program, a Master of Science in Exercise Science, launching when fall quarter starts October 4. More information is available here.

The change is reflected in the name only, as Lionel will continue to operate in the same manner, with all faculty and staff remaining in place. In addition:

  • Current coursework won’t change

  • Funding sources and benefits students use to pay tuition remain unchanged

  • The school’s accreditation remains the same

  • There will be no changes to functionality, as all programs will continue to be offered virtually through the Canvas online learning platform

“As with any change we make, we do so with our students top of mind,” Hoffman said. “This change benefits the students first and foremost, as it allows us to offer them even more options, while helping us collectively better fulfill our mission of creating a stronger, healthier world.”

About Lionel University

In 1988, the most powerful team of fitness experts ever assembled joined together under the leadership of Sal Arria, D.C., MSS, and Frederick Hatfield, Ph.D., MSS, to allow personal training students the ability to acquire knowledge through distance education. Drawn from the elite ranks of research, coaching, sports medicine, and sports and fitness science, these innovators drew a line in the sand to turn the tide toward a more fit and healthy world and transform the fitness of the planet.

Since that initial gathering in 1988, the institution has catapulted to the forefront of the fitness community through its student-centered approach and firm understanding of personal training and exercise science as true healthcare. Formerly the ISSA College of Exercise Science, the institution was the first mover in the personal training education space in the ‘80s, one of the first institutions to offer online study in the ‘90s, the first in the fitness industry to earn accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and the first to develop degree programs specifically for personal training.

Lionel University believes that the health and fitness of society can be significantly improved by their students’ success as health, sports and fitness professionals. Lionel’s efforts to stem the tide of poor health and physical decline are multiplied exponentially as its graduates and members disseminate the institution’s principles and methods to their clients, peers and associates. Lionel’s mission is to inspire each and every student to positively impact the quality of life of each individual with whom they come in contact.

As a distance education institution and industry leader, Lionel University is unconditionally committed to providing the highest quality distance education programs available, advancing the industry as a whole, and developing greater access to career opportunities for those who share our vision of Creating a Stronger, Healthier World.