Fitness Specialist

The Fitness Specialist certificate program trains students for positions, entry-level or higher, in the growing fitness industry. The Fitness Specialist evaluates the physiological and psychological effects of physical activities and designs personalized exercise prescriptions. Program graduates will be qualified to be a strength and conditioning coach, personal fitness trainer, and/or group exercise instructor. Students in this program learn scientific principles of exercise and physical conditioning, techniques of strength training, and methods appropriate to establishing healthy behavior. This program also provides students with theory necessary to be effective in the health fitness industry (health clubs, corporate fitness, etc.). This program prepares candidates for National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), and the National Strength & Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) certification exams.

20

The goals and objectives of the program are to prepare students for the following outcomes: A. Design fitness programs for a diverse population. B. Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to pass national certification exams in personal training and group fitness instructor. C. Demonstrate the necessary skills for being successful within the field of personal training. D. Demonstrate the core components of personal training including understanding nutrition, business, fitness, and strength training.

Required Courses: KINE 04 Essentials of Exercise Science 3 KINE 05 Foundations of Exercise Program Design 3 KINE 06 Group Fitness Instruction 3 NUTR 60 Sports and Exercise Nutrition 3 BUS 10 Introduction to Business 3 Select three units from the following courses: BIOL 50 Survey of Anatomy & Physiology 3 KINE 02 First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer 3 KINE 03 Introduction to Athletic Training 3 KINE 24 Work Experience in Kinesiology 1 - 8 PSYC 37 Sport Psychology 3