Fitness Specialist - Personal Trainer Certificate

The Fitness Specialist/Personal Trainer Certificate Program is designed to prepare students for employment as fitness instructors and a career in the rapidly expanding health and fitness industry. Students will gain academic knowledge and fitness skills through the required course work, as well as develop the skills necessary to apply this knowledge in a vocational setting. The curriculum has been designed to equip the student with the scientific background, both theoretical and practical, to successfully customize fitness programs that include education and guidance on nutrition, weight control, exercise physiology, flexibility, core strength, cardiovascular exercise, and resistance training. Students will be prepared to pass national certification exams in health, fitness, strength, and conditioning and the program will prepare students for transfer to a university to pursue a higher degree in various areas of study.

1.      Demonstrate the ability to prescribe safe and effective exercise.

2.      Develop and implement group and individual exercise programs.

3.      Possess an applied understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and nutrition as it applies to physical fitness.

4.      Apply and demonstrate exercise testing skills and techniques to real world situations, such as individual client fitness assessments.

5.      Develop specialized fitness programs to meet the needs of the targeted individual.

6.      Obtain the needed academic learning and laboratory experience to pursue a job in the personal training or fitness instructor field.

The Fitness Specialist/Personal Trainer Certificate Program is designed to prepare students for employment as fitness instructors and a career in the rapidly expanding health and fitness industry. The curriculum has been designed to equip the student with the scientific background, both theoretical and practical, to successfully customize a comprehensive fitness program that include education and guidance on nutrition, weight control, exercise physiology, flexibility, core strength, cardiovascular exercise, and resistance training.

There is not current required certification to become a fitness specialist or personal trainer however this certificate provides a foundation that will give students a leg up in the hiring process. In addition, this coursework will prepare students for industry driven standards and future exam certifications in personal training and take exams offered by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the American College of Sports Medicine(ACSM), the National Academy of Sports Medicine and an exam certification in Group Fitness with Athletics and Fitness Association of America and other nationally recognized organizations.  Finally, this program will prepare students for transfer to a university to pursue a higher degree in various areas of study.