Coaching Certification
The PSCC is the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Coaches Certification ("PSCC") Course. It is a part of the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Program under the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). It is a series of courses for swimming coaches who wish to further develop their coaching knowledge and skills to effectively work with para swimmers or to gain an understanding of the governance and differences that exist in the para swimming community. The PSCC is currently designed as a blended course of online presentations, in-person educational training and on-deck experiential learning.
The PSCC consists of three levels. Please view the tiles below to learn about each level and its associated costs and prerequisites. For additional information, please download or view the 2025 PSCC Format document.
Why the PSCC?
The PSCC is the only program of its type for Para swimming. It gives coaches a unique understanding of the fundamental challenges and concerns that coaches deal with in their daily settings when including an athlete with a disability. The introduction into the Para swimming world can be shortened dramatically and the performance of all stakeholders increased when support and education is provided by U.S. Paralympics Swimming.
Through the PSCC, coaches will learn to:
- Help athletes move forward on their most important goals using sport specific competencies
- Coach athletes to achieve their goals by leveraging their sport specific abilities
- Help athletes manage obstacles effectively and strategically by using their talents and strengths at a higher level of performance
- Increase your credibility and boost your professional development in the sport of swimming
The PSCC courses must be taken in sequential order. Please do not register for a course unless you completed the preceding level. Note: All certifications will be valid for four years with a minimum Coaching Education Unit (CEU) or Professional Development Unit (PDU) requirement associated with the renewal requirements. These requirements will be adjusted based on the year a coach begins participation in the PSCC program.
Level 1
Level 1 (Previously Level 1 and Level 2)
- Virtual
- Cost: $75
- Final assessment and at-home activities completion will be necessary to receive certification
Level 2
Level 2 (Previously Level 3)
- Virtual with a one-hour in-person experience at a meet (typically WPS World Series or National Championships)
- Cost: $100
- Scheduled announced annually
- Final assessment, at-home activities and in-person training will be necessary to receive certification
Level 3
Level 3 (Previously Level 4)
- In-Person
- Cost: $125
- 2025 and 2026 schedule to be determined as needed
- Final assessment and full course attendance will be necessary to receive certification
Introductory Course (Presentation on new PSCC format)- Attendees will be credited one CEU toward their current PSCC requirements
Coming soon!
To register and pay for a Level 1 - 3 course, please complete the registration form. Registration closes 48 hours before the course.
Please note: The PSCC courses must be taken in sequential order. Please do not register for a course unless you completed the preceding level.
The USOPC is the ultimate stakeholder and its donors and sponsors. U.S. Paralympics Swimming is the program creator and governing body responsible for operating the certification program in the United States.
Yes, the prerequisites are basic knowledge and requirements of coaches in the sport of swimming. The attendance at an in-person or virtual Introduction and Orientation to Para Swimming and Coaching a Para Swimmer is required before starting the PSCC. As the coach moves through the different levels of certification the prerequisites relate to the level of para swimmer being coached. Interested coaches should have a current coach membership with USA Swimming in good standing and provide a copy of their membership ID card during registration.
YES! Your work with swimmers is instrumental in the development and inclusion of para-swimmers in competitive swimming programs. A key objective of the certification program is making the program assessable to any coach within a swimming arena to improve the experience and progress of swimmers with a disability.
If you have any additional questions about the program or which course is the best fit, please reach out to USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org.
Below are the current opportunities for coaches interested in working with Team USA. If you have any questions, please reach out to USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org.
U.S. Paralympics Swimming is excited to announce the return of the resident athlete program at the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center! With its return, we're looking to hire a resident coach to run the program starting in 2026. Interested coaches should view the job description and apply for the role on the USOPC Careers Portal.
U.S. Paralympics Swimming would like to facilitate a more transparent process for interested coaches to self-identify their interest in being a neutral team USA coach at specific events and camps and are willing to be mentored on their way to being selected. Interested coaches should fill out this online form.
Please note: Filling out the survey will not automatically get a coach assigned as a neutral Team USA Coach at an upcoming event, camp, or clinic. It is meant as the entry pathway for possible selection and a way for coaches to self identify they are interested in being considered and mentored on their way to possibly being selected in the future.
