Personal Trainer, Career Pathway certificate
- Do you want to promote the fitness and wellness of others?
- Are you experienced in working as a fitness professional, and want to enhance your skills and abilities?
- Do you want to make a difference by helping others achieve their fitness goals?
- Opportunity awaits!
As a personal trainer, you will be part of a team working in health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, public and private recreation facilities, hospitals, and/or corporate fitness centers. The EXS Personal Trainer Certificate encompasses all the coursework in the first year of the AAS degree in Exercise Science.
This Career Pathway certificate may be obtained as a stand-alone certificate or in addition to the AAS degree. Along the way, you can also earn your Pathway Certificate as a Group Fitness Leader and/or Yoga Teacher. This first year will prepare you to meet qualifications for employment as a personal trainer in the fitness and wellness industry where you will develop, demonstrate, and implement appropriate fitness assessments and programs for healthy populations. Minimum 41 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements.
Award information
| Award | Length (attending full-time) | Financial aid eligible | Currently accepting students? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Pathway Certificate: Personal Trainer | Less than 1 year | Limited entry, see how to apply to Exercise Science |
Learn more about Exercise Science and all 5 awards available »
Locations
SylvaniaCourses
Course listing for the 2025-2026 catalog year.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | Emergency Response for Fitness Professionals | 1 |
| 101 | Exploring Exercise Science Careers | 3 |
| 103 | Nutrition for Exercise | 3 |
| 104 | Fitness Assessment | 3 |
| 105 | Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| 106 | Analysis of Movement | 3 |
| 107 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| 110 | Injury Prevention & Management | 2 |
| 131 | Structure & Function of the Human Body | 4 |
| 180 | Exercise Science Internship Preparation | 1 |
| 280 | Exercise Science Internship I | 4 |
| ǰ280C | Exercise Science Professional Project II | |
| ᷡ295 &;ʷ295 | Health and Fitness for Life and Health and Fitness for Life Lab | 3 |
| ᱫ102 | Mental Health First Aid: Adult | 1 |
| ǰᱫ106 | Mental Health First Aid: Youth | |
| ǰᱫ107 | Mental Health First Aid: Older Adult | |
| ʷ181 | Weight Training I | 1 |
| ǰʷ181 | Weight Training II | |
| ǰʷ181 | Weight Training III | |
| ʷ281 | Professional Activities: Resistance Training | 2 |
| Choose 2 of the following Professional Activities courses | 4 | |
ʷ250 | Professional Activities: Outdoor Leadership | |
ʷ282 | Professional Activities: Group Fitness | |
ʷ282 | Professional Activities: Older Adult Fitness | |
ʷ283 | Professional Activities: Mind-Body Disciplines | |
ʷ287 | Professional Activities: Aquatics | |
ʷ288 | Professional Activities: Team Sports Training | |
| Total Credits | 41 | |
Jobs
The average full-time wage is $45,000 to $65,000 per year, with typical entry-level wages of $20 to $40 per hour.
Finish your degree
The Personal Trainer Career Pathway Certificate leads to additional certificates and degrees. Continue your education to give yourself more job opportunities and career advancement.
Is it for me?
- Who: High school graduates (and high school equivalency). Completion of IRW 115 or (WR 115 and RD 115) and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Note: First-year winter term courses for the AAS degree and the Personal Trainer Career Pathway Certificate require MTH 65 or higher and WR 121 with a “C” or “P” or better as prerequisites. If you do not meet all the placement recommendations, contact us for other options.
- Where: Сèý Sylvania Campus
- When: Three terms
Program cost
Use the cost calculator to see the estimated costs. For more detailed cost sheets contact 971-722-4210.
Extra help for students in this program
Next steps
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