Exercise Science & Personal Training Certificate

Certificate

Overview

Over the past decade, the percentage of American youth, adults, and seniors who are under fit and overweight has increased significantly, with associated escalation in degenerative diseases and health care costs. One solution to these problems is competent, certified exercise science/personal training professionals who can educate, motivate, and instruct inactive individuals to attain desirable levels of physical fitness with emphasis on muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, joint flexibility, and body composition. This certificate program is designed for students who want to work as exercise instructors and/or personal trainers in YMCAs, fitness centers, or other exercise facilities. Completion of this program prepares students to pass a national personal trainer certification exam, such as that offered by the American Council on Exercise. This course of study provides relevant, research-based classroom instruction as well as practical exercise experience with diverse populations.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the student should be able to:

  • Develop a philosophy of wellness/fitness that enhances quality of life for themselves and their clients.
  • Design safe and effective exercise/fitness programs for youth, adults, and seniors.
  • Educate and motivate clients to properly perform exercises that enhance muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, joint flexibility, and body composition.
  • Take a nationally recognized personal trainer certification examination.
Exercise Science & Personal Training Certificate Courses
    •  
    • Code
    • Course
    • Credits
    • EXS 101
    • Health Appraisal & Fitness Assessment
    • 3
    This course presents the reasons for conducting appropriate health appraisals on all new exercisers prior to beginning their fitness program. This course explores the relationship between physical activity and health, and specifically focuses on the evaluation of cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal fitness in apparently healthy populations. Risk factor analysis, body composition assessment, aerobic fitness testing, muscle strength testing and flexibility assessments will be discussed as they relate to an individual’s probability for developing a disease. This course addresses numerous assessment protocols for evaluating important fitness parameters such as determining individualized training intensities by means of heart rate monitoring and ratings of perceived exercise exertion. Students will demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the assessment principles and procedures, as well as the ability to properly perform and interpret each assessment technique.
    • EXS 102
    • Muscular and Cardiovascular Fitness
    • 3
    This course addresses the principles for improving muscular fitness and cardiovascular fitness in youth, adult and senior populations. The emphasis is on practical application of the training guidelines and the expected physiological adaptations resulting from various exercise programs. Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of exercise theory, training effects and program design for enhancing muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance in apparently healthy individuals.
    • EXS 115
    • Injury Prevention, Flexibility and Functional Training
    • 3
    This course addresses the practical components of personal training, including exercise safety, injury prevention, and training modifications for special populations (e.g., youth, older adults, pregnant women, post-rehab patients, diabetics, hypertensive, etc.) while directing physical fitness programs for a variety of clients. Students will demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the foundational principles and standard procedures for exercise safety, proper stretching technique, and professionalism when working with fitness clients on an individual basis and in a group setting.
    • EXS 116
    • Strength Training and Endurance Exercise
    • 3
    This course examines the biomechanical aspects of proper exercise performances using standard strength training machines and free-weight equipment, as well as common cardiovascular training tools, such as treadmills, cycles, steppers, rowers and elliptical trainers. Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the movement patterns, prime mover muscle groups, and performance techniques associated with 100 selected strength, endurance and flexibility exercises. This course is a practical experience and will be conducted largely in the fitness center with hands on teaching/learning experiences.
    • EXS 119
    • Bioenergetics and Biomechanics
    • 3
    This course explores the energy sources for aerobic exercise (such as running), and anaerobic exercise (such as strength training). Students will demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of aerobic and anaerobic energy production and utilization. This course also addresses the biomechanics of exercise, including movement patterns, movement planes, leverage factors, musculoskeletal interactions, and force development. Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of biomechanical principles and practical application to proper exercise performance.
    • EXS 150
    • Nutrition for Fitness
    • 3
    This course provides the student with practical information related to nutrition, exercise, and fitness. Topics examined include: nutritional needs, energy requirements, protein recommendations, diets/healthy eating programs, nutritional supplements, and behavior modification strategies for various types of physical activity. The students will attain research-based perspectives on bioenergetics for various types of physical activity.
    • EXS 202
    • Exercise Program Design
    • 3
    This course provides students with the recommendations and rationale necessary to design fitness programs for healthy adults and special populations. In addition, the course will explore the application of specificity, overload, and progression as well as provide an overview of acute program variables, changes made in a program, selection of exercises, how to determine frequency, and exercise sequence. Students will learn exercise program design based on underlying principles and concepts developed for very specific training goals and match these goals with the necessary program design to achieve desired results. The course also addresses how to add variation to a training program with weight loads, repetitions and sets, intensity, volume, and rest period lengths.
    • HSC 149
    • Applied A&P for Health Care Professions
    • 4
    This course is an integrated study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body from the cellular level to the system level; designed for students embarking on a career/profession in the field of health care. Emphasis will be placed upon clinical applications, associated medical terminology and patient assessment. Advances in biomedical technology and patient/client treatment will be highlighted. Completion of HSC 140 prior to enrollment HSC 149 strongly recommended.

Take the Next Step