Fitness Specialist Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

The Fitness Specialist 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 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 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.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Social Sciences, Human Development, Kinesiology & Health

Department

Kinesiology

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Health, Wellness, Athletics

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Select safe and effective exercise practices.

  2. Develop and implement group and individual exercise programs.

  3. Explain how human anatomy, physiology, and nutrition 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.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

16 units
KIN 080
Techniques of Weight Training
This course is an introduction to teaching techniques in weight training. Topics include anatomy, physiology, training sequences, equipment options, safety factors, and contraindications.

Course Details:

KIN 081
Exercise and Fitness Assessment
This course prepares students to assess and evaluate exercise and fitness parameters. Topics include the measurement and evaluation of cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, body fat, pulmonary function, and blood pressure. Emphasis is placed on determining the appropriate test, conducting the test, interpreting the results, and creating an exercise program.

Course Details:

KIN 101
Sports Psychology
This course is a study of the psychological effects on the motor performance of athletes across all levels of competition. This course includes such areas as goal setting, motivation, anxiety and stress, relaxation, sport imagery, relationships, eating disorders and drug abuse. (Formerly KIN 201)

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    2. or
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
KIN 104
Exercise Nutrition
This course provides scientific information and the essential principles of a proper exercise and diet program needed to maintain healthy sports fitness and nutrition levels. Emphasis will be placed on athletic performance, exercise recovery, food quality, general health, energy transfer for exercise and the relationship between nutrition and exercise or athletic performance.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    2. or
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
KIN 200
Introduction to Kinesiology

This introductory course provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human movement. It provides an overview of the importance of the sub-disciplines in kinesiology that will be discussed along with career opportunities in the areas of sports fitness industry, allied health (physical/occupational/recreational therapy), sport/fitness management, and teaching/coaching.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    2. or
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
  • Transfers to CSU
    • KIN 231
    First Aid and CPR
    This course provides instruction on emergency care and treatment of illnesses and injuries including training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED).  Students who successfully pass all CPR/AED and First Aid requirements will receive a CPR/AED and First Aid card.

    Course Details:

  • Transfers to CSU