Health Fitness Professional, A.S.

Overview

Click on the tabs to learn more. Hint! Some tabs may be hidden. Click on the right green arrow to scroll.

Introduction to Health Fitness Professional

Health Fitness Professionals work in various settings filling a multitude of roles in supporting clients to achieve personal health and fitness goals. As coaches/mentors, Health Fitness Professionals promote, develop and implement successful lifestyle plans which incorporate physical activity and training, healthy eating habits and lifestyle management. The Health Fitness Professional can anticipate opportunities in the many areas of the field as businesses continue to recognize the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees and more people are taking an active role in prevention of chronic disease and injury, seeking expert guidance with their health, wellness and sport goals.

Program Goal

The mission of the Health Fitness Professional program is to provide students with the most current knowledge and skills to become leaders within the many areas of the health/wellness industry. The programs goal is to provide hands on learning experiences that integrate effective communication, assessment and programming skills enabling students to be competent in developing the professional/client relationship, identifying client’s needs/goals, creating and implementing individualized and group plans/programs targeting needs/goals, all while providing clients with ongoing coaching and support. In combining these skills with the knowledge of the human body, the program provides a progressive and strong foundation towards a successful career in many areas of the evolving health field.

Curriculum

Program Outcomes

Students who graduate from this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate strengths in rapport building and communication skills required to establish a level of credibility that builds and maintains successful professional/client relationships
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills needed to safely and effectively assess, develop and implement appropriate health/wellness and training programs for various populations
• Utilize knowledge of the human body systems in assessing, programming and monitoring clients
• Possess the knowledge and skills needed to successfully complete industry leading (ACSM, ACE, NSCA, NASM) national certification exams
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the importance of involvement in local business, community and industry organizations

Employment Opportunities

According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of fitness professionals is projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Successful graduates find employment as Personal Trainers, Group Fitness Leaders and Health/Wellness Coaches in private, corporate and community facilities including health clubs and specialty studios, sports medicine and rehabilitative clinics, athletic/sports performance centers, community and older adult programs and health promotions companies. Students have the opportunity to gain employment through successful completion of the Professional Experience. Completion of the degree also prepares students for transfer to various health programs such as exercise physiology, physical therapy, kinesiology, athletic training and health education.

Transfer Credit Policy

There is no time limit on courses eligible for transfer into the Health Fitness Professional program.

Admission 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).

Program Policies

• Courses in the Health Fitness Professional and Personal Training Programs are sequenced in a progressive manner and must be taken in the order listed.
• Students wishing to transfer have the option of taking BIOL110M & BIOL120M in place of BIOL106M & BIOL107M. BIOL110M requires successful completion, “C” or better of High School Biology and Chemistry, therefore it is recommended students complete those courses prior to entry in the Health Fitness Professional Program.
• A grade of “C” or better in HFIT105M is required to continue in the Health Fitness Professional program. Students may retake a course once if the minimum grade is not earned.
• Due to physical activity requirements of the program, students must 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. 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.
• All students must have or purchase the required Fitness Assessment Equipment which include, a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, heart rate monitor, tape measure, skinfold caliper and stop watch prior to participation in HFIT courses. Students may purchase these tools individually on their own or a complete Fitness Appraisal Kit can be purchased at the bookstore or online. Please consult faculty for more information on the equipment requirements for specific classes.
• Students are responsible for any travel to and from all HFIT class that involve off campus site visits including observation sites, professional experience sites and community service sites.
• Students 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.
• Students 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 will be completed prior to participation in HFIT225M and may also be required for certain professional experience and community service sites.
• Students participating in Professional Experience at clinical sites will be required to show proof of physical exam, immunizations.

Technical Standards

• Students seeking careers within health and fitness 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.
• Students are 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.