Fitness Specialist – Personal Trainer

The Fitness Specialist/Personal Trainer Certificate 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 coursework, 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 a 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.  It is primarily geared toward preparing students to successfully obtain certifications from NASM, NSCA (for personal training), or ACE (for group fitness instruction), and to develop a comprehensive knowledge of scientific evidence, tools, and protocols specific to the fitness industry. 

We anticipate 5 or more-annual completers beginning December2023

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 includes education and guidance on nutrition, weight control, exercise physiology, flexibility, core strength, cardiovascular exercise, and resistance training.

There is no 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.

10 Required Courses (23 units total)

Units: 23.0

9 courses (20 units) all required

HLTH 102

Contemporary Problems in Personal and Community Health

3.0

HLTH 202

Nutrition for Fitness

3.0

KIN 102

First Aid, AED and CPR

3.0

KIN 104

Psychology of Physical Performance

3.0

KIN 162

Weight Training I

1.0

KIN 163

Weight Lifting II

1.0

KIN 201

Introduction to Exercise Physiology

3.0

KIN 210

Movement Anatomy

3.0

Select one of the following required courses (3 units)

3.0

KIN 142 (same as ALDH 142)

Athletic Training II

3.0

OR

ALDH 142 (same as KIN 142)

Athletic Training II

3.0

The following 3 courses are not required but are highly recommended.

Note: The following 10 units are in addition to the 23-unit requirement.

BIOL 107

Introduction to Human Biology

4.0

EDUC 101

Introduction to Teaching

3.0

ENTR 104

Starting a Business for Entrepreneurs with Limited Resources

3.0

Total: 23.0 Units