Health and Exercise Science, AS

Overview

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Introduction to Health and Exercise Science

Health and exercise professionals work in various settings filling a multitude of roles in supporting clients to achieve personal health and fitness goals. As coaches, trainers, and fitness professionals who lead by example, we promote, develop, and implement effective lifestyle plans that incorporate physical activity, healthy eating habits, and overall lifestyle management.

You can anticipate opportunities in many areas of this field as businesses continue to recognize the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees and more people take an active role in preventing chronic disease and injury, seeking expert guidance with their health, wellness and athletic goals.

Degree & Certificate Options

The Health and Exercise Science program offers an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree and a certificate:

• Health and Exercise Science (A.S)
• Personal Training Certificate

Program Goals

The mission of the Health and Exercise Science program is to equip you with cutting-edge knowledge and skills necessary to excel as leaders in various sectors of the health and wellness industry. Our primary objective is to offer you hands-on learning opportunities that seamlessly integrate effective communication, assessment and programming skills. These skills will enable you to establish and cultivate professional-client relationships, accurately identify clients’ needs and goals, and help you devise and implement tailored plans and programs for individuals and groups alike.

Our program also emphasizes the importance of ongoing coaching and support to ensure sustained progress and success for your clients. By combining these essential skills with a deep understanding of the human body, the program provides a comprehensive foundation for a rewarding career in the rapidly evolving field of health and wellness. We are committed to empowering you with the tools and knowledge you need to thrive in diverse roles within this dynamic industry.

Attend an Information Session

Interested in attending an Information Session to learn more about this program? Go to the Information Sessions page and scroll down to Health and Exercise Science for a list of upcoming dates and times.

Curriculum

Admission Requirements

In addition to college-wide admissions requirements all students must:

• Complete placement testing and place into College Comp I or College Comp I Corequisite (ENGL110M or ENGL110XM) and Quantitative Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning – Corequisite (MATH145M or MATH145XM) or better (waived if transfer credit in Math and English awarded).

Due to physical activity requirements of the program, students must also:

• Complete an Informed Consent and a preparticipation screening form prior to participation in any HFIT courses. Based on screening results, students may be asked to obtain a medical clearance for exercise from their physician.

IMPORTANT NOTE! Students with any limitations to exercise should contact the program coordinator and/or faculty member to discuss the physical activity requirements of the program or specific courses they wish to register for as some of the courses involve high intensity activities.

Other Program Requirements

To successfully participate in Health and Exercise Science training, you should be aware of, and willing to comply with, the following program requirements:

• A grade of “C” or better in HFIT105M is required to continue in the Health and Exercise Science program. You may retake a course once if the minimum grade is not earned.
• Prior to participation in Health and Exercise Science courses, you must have or purchase the following list of required Fitness Assessment Equipment. You may purchase these tools individually on your own or a complete Fitness Appraisal Kit can be purchased at the MCC online bookstore. Please consult faculty for more information on the equipment requirements for specific classes.
  • Stethoscope
  • Blood Pressure Cuff
  • Heart Rate Monitor
  • Tape Measure
  • Skinfold Caliper
  • Stop Watch

• You are responsible for any travel to and from all Health and Exercise Science classes that involve off campus site visits including observation sites, professional experience sites and community service sites.
• You are required to purchase a program shirt to be worn during class events, community service and professional experience. Additional information on shirt purchase will be provided in class or consult faculty member for more information.
• You must acquire and maintain American Heart Association Heart Saver CPR/AED Certification or American Red Cross equivalent throughout the program. The certification is available in HFIT111M for an additional fee and required for participation in Professional Experience.
• A background check may be completed for community service sites and professional experience.
• Students participating in Professional Experience at clinical sites will be required to show proof of physical exam and immunizations.

Technical Standards

• If you are seeking a career in health and fitness you should be physically and mentally fit, have passion for health and wellness and be able to withstand a physically active, high paced work environment and have the ability to respond quickly and appropriately as required.
• You are also expected to have the maturity to exercise sound judgement, maintain confidentiality, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor or faculty member, and establish rapport and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with teachers, fellow students and clients.

Incoming Transfer Policy

There is no time limit on courses eligible for transfer into the Health and Exercise Science program.

• Students wishing to transfer into this program have the option of taking BIOL110M & BIOL120M in place of BIOL106M & BIOL107M.
• BIOL110M requires successful completion and a “C” or better in High School Biology and Chemistry, therefore it is recommended that you complete those courses prior to entry in the Health and Exercise Science program.

Internship Opportunities

The Professional Experience class requires you to participate in
an internship at a leading health facility like one of these:

• Executive Health & Sports Club
• FlexABLE Assisted Stretch
• YMCA

Curriculum: Required Courses

Courses in the Health and Exercise Science and Personal Training Programs are sequenced in a progressive manner and must be taken in the order listed.

Outcomes

The Health and Exercise Science program will prepare you with a diverse set of competencies, enabling you to excel in various roles within the health and wellness industry.

Acquired Skills

After completing your Health and Exercise Science degree, you will be able to:

• Establish and maintain successful professional-client relationships by demonstrating exceptional rapport-building and communication skills, fostering credibility and trust.
• Safely and effectively assess, develop, and implement tailored health, wellness, and training programs for diverse populations, ensuring optimal outcomes.
• Apply comprehensive knowledge of human body systems to assess, program, and monitor clients’ progress accurately and effectively.
• Successfully pass industry-leading national certification exams such as ACSM, ACE, NSCA, NASM, showcasing your proficiency and readiness for professional practice.
• Recognize and appreciate the significance of active involvement in local business, community, and industry organizations, fostering continuous learning, networking and professional growth.

Employment Opportunities

According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of fitness professionals is projected to grow 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations!

Students have the opportunity to gain employment through successful completion of the Professional Experience class, which requires an internship at a leading health facility.

Potential Jobs

Graduates of this program typically find employment as a:

• Exercise Specialist
• Fitness Director
• Personal Trainer
• Group Fitness Instructor
• Health/Wellness Coach
• Sports Performance Coach

Employment is usually found in private, corporate and community facilities like:

• Health Clubs and Specialty Studios
• Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Clinics
• Athletic/Sports Performance Centers
• Community Centers
• Older Adult Programs
• Health Promotions Companies

Potential Salary

Salary for this occupation ranges depending on position. See below for the average annual salary range in central NH for a Personal Trainer.

*Indeed.com, 2025

Outgoing Transfer Opportunities

Completion of the Health and Exercise Science degree also prepares you for transfer to various health programs such as exercise physiology, physical therapy, kinesiology, athletic training, dietician and health education. With your degree you can transfer to schools like:

• Southern New Hampshire University
• Franklin Pierce University
• New England College
• UNH – University of New Hampshire
• Plymouth State University
• Keene State College
• …and many more!