Fitness Specialist, Certificate

The Fitness Specialist Certificate prepares the student for entry-level employment as a personal fitness trainer. The student will possess the skills to work as a trainer in a private health club, corporate and commercial fitness facilities, or in his or her own business.

The program combines in-class learning with practical, hands-on experience in the field. Students will take academic classes along with a nationally recognized personal trainer certification to prepare them for the workplace. Cooperative experience, combined with 15 hours of hands-on training, give the student the experience and confidence to work with the general population and successfully interview for positions in the field.

Graduates are able to:

Conduct an initial client interview, identify client risk factors, assess current fitness level, and create SMART goals.
Design, implement, and coach an individualized exercise program for clients based on their current fitness and, fitness goals.
Apply knowledge and practical experience to pass an accredited personal fitness trainer certification and hold a nationally recognized CPR/AED certification.

Curriculum-Certificate Program

First Semester

ENGL 111 - English Composition I 3 Credits
BIOL 142 - Introduction to Nutrition 3 Credits
FITN 129 - First Aid & CPR 3 Credits or
FITN 148 - Lifeguarding 3 Credits ¹
FITN 132 - Cardiovascular Conditioning 2 Credits
FITN 135 - Introduction to Weight Training 2 Credits
FITN 142 - Elements of Physical Fitness 3 Credits

Second Semester

COMM 101 - Speech 3 Credits or
COMM 110 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits or
SOCI 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credits
PSYC 103 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credits
FITN 203 - Exercise Measurement and Prescription 3 Credits
FITN 211 - Introduction to Personal Training 3 Credits ²
FITN 207 - Sports Management 3 Credits or
FITN 290 - Fitness Cooperative Education I 3 Credits

Total Credits 31

National Accredited Personal Training Certification²

¹ Students must pass the Red Cross Lifesavings minimum skills test the first week of class for FITN 148 Lifeguarding . Students do not receive credit for both Lifeguarding and FITN 129 First Aid & CPR .

2 The student must present current (valid through graduation date) Personal Trainer Certification recognized by the National Council for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or National Board of Fitness Examiners Certification to Enrollment Services Office with the Application for Graduation. FITN 211 Introduction to Personal Training prepares students for the ACSM Personal Trainer Certification exam and similar NCCA personal trainer certification exams. Costs and arrangements for the independent certification exams are the responsibility of the student.