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Professional Education Personal Fitness Training Certificate

The Certificate Program

The Online Professional Certificate Personal Fitness has been designed to prepare graduating students for a career working at medically-based fitness facilities, community wellness programs, personal training studios, physical therapy clinics, corporate fitness centers, and private and commercial health clubs.

The Certificate Program is designed to supply essential educational pathways and career opportunities to those seeking to start a career in the emerging fitness/health industry, for established fitness professionals looking for advanced education, and for allied health and medical professionals from all fields seeking to broaden their careers to become full or part-time personal trainers/fitness instructors. The personal fitness training certificate will include courses in Anatomy and Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Fitness Assessment Techniques, Designing Exercise Prescriptions, Business Administration for Personal Trainers, and the optional internship course. The certificate and elective internship course are offered three times per year in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

The growth in demand for qualified personal trainers supports the need for this valuable service profession. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau publication Occupational Outlook Handbook, overall employment for personal trainers is expected to increase 44% from 2002 to 2012.

The program is offered in partnership with the

American Council on Exercise® (ACE)
ACE provides graduating certificate students a preferred discount on the ACE Personal Training Certification Exam and study materials.

IDEA Health & Fitness Association
IDEA has provided content/curriculum in the program; in addition, students receive a complimentary six-month membership to the digital edition of IDEA Fitness Journal.

Personal Fitness Professional (PFP)
PFP provides students with a free three-year subscription that includes nine print issues per year, a monthly e-newsletter, access to their digital magazine and an interactive website with blogs, polls, articles and much more.

In addition, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has approved the Certificate in Personal Training program for 150 Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs), the Advanced Certificate program for 90 CPEUs, and the Optional Field Internship Course for 60 CPEUs for both Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Dietetic Technicians-Registered (DTRs).

"More people are turning to personal fitness trainers to design exercise programs and serve as guides to combat obesity and obtain healthy lifestyles. Students will learn how to apply their client's health history, goals, and abilities integrating exercise science curriculum and training techniques into a systematic model that teaches students to progress their clients of all ages through different training levels and phases."
Ken Baldwin, M.Ed, Program Coordinator, past winner of IDEA's Personal Trainer of the Year Award.

Workplace Advantages and Benefits

• On-going guidance, instruction, and interaction from instructors that hold either a Master's or Ph.D. degree in exercise science, biomechanics, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, nutrition, or an exercise science-related degree. Our instructors will support students and become valuable resources and mentors well after they graduate.
• Optional Personal Training Internship Course: Students have three internship options. They may elect to intern at a partnered internship site, a facility of their choice located anywhere in the U.S. or internationally (with program coordinator/instructor approval), or at a facility a student may already be working.
• A professional certificate from an accredited institution.
• College courses provide CECs or CEUs for personal trainers and allied health/medical professionals seeking re-certification, re-licensure, or career advancement.
• Networking opportunities with industry experts.

Continuing Education Credits

The following National Organizations/Associations have approved the Personal Fitness Trainer program/courses for Continuing Education Credits/Units (CECs/CEUs):

• The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has approved the Certificate in Personal Training program for 150 Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs and the Optional Field Internship Course for 60 CPEUs for both Registered Dietitian (RDs) and Dietetic Technician-Registered (DTRs).
• The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) / 2.0 CEUs per course
• The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) / 10 CEUs per course
• The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) / 1 CEC per course, equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement.

Award of the Certificate:

• Professional Certificate in Personal Fitness Training: complete all five core courses within a period of two years
• Complete and receive a passing grade of (C- or above) in all courses, which includes quizzes, exams, written/research projects, and class assignments

Introduction to Exercise Science-Level I (Anatomy and Kinesiology) (PROED 916)
Introduction to Exercise Science-Level II (Exercise Physiology) (PROED 917)
Health Risk Profiles and Fitness Assessment Techniques (PROED 918)
Business Administration and Management Aspects for Personal Trainers (PROED 919)
Designing Exercise Prescriptions for Normal/Special Populations (PROED 920)

Registration, schedule, and other details may be found by following this link.

For more information, call 801-585-1780 or submit your questions by using our web form.