Health Fitness Specialist - AAS

Program Code: AAS.25710

The Health Fitness Specialist program is designed for students seeking careers in fitness, health promotion, and wellness coaching. This interdisciplinary program combines exercise science, health education, and practical training to prepare graduates for diverse roles in the rapidly growing health and wellness industry. Graduates are equipped to work in fitness centers, corporate wellness programs, rehabilitation settings, or as independent fitness and wellness consultants. The program emphasizes a holistic approach to health, empowering students to support individuals in achieving optimal physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Health Coach: The focus is designed to prepare students for careers in guiding individuals and communities toward healthier lifestyles. This comprehensive program integrates knowledge from nutrition, exercise science, psychology, and behavior change to equip students with the skills needed to motivate and support others in achieving personal wellness goals. Graduates of the program are equipped to work in diverse settings, including corporate wellness programs, fitness facilities, healthcare organizations, and private practice. This program cultivates professionals committed to improving health outcomes and fostering well-being in their communities. Students will take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Health Coach national certification exam and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Group Fitness Instructor national exam while in the program.

Personal Trainer: The focus is designed to prepare students for dynamic careers in the fitness and wellness industry. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, students develop the expertise needed to design and implement safe, effective, and personalized fitness programs for diverse populations. Graduates are equipped to work as personal trainers in gyms, fitness centers, corporate wellness programs, or as independent contractors. This program fosters the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to guide individuals toward achieving their fitness and health goals. Students will take the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Personal Trainer exam and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Group Fitness Instructor national certification exams while in the program.

Track One - Health Coach

Fall First Year:

BIO 140W - Essentials Of Human Anatomy & Physiology Credits: 5
BIO 152W and BIO 153W can be taken in place of BIO 140W
ENG 111 - College Composition I Credits: 3
ENG 111A ; ENG 111B ; ENG 111C ; or ENG 111H can be taken in place of ENG 111
LWT 210 - Nutrition: The Science of Optimal Living Credits: 3
LW 222 can be taken in place of LWT 210
LWT 245 - Introduction to Plant Based Nutrition-Lifestyle, Health, and Disease Credits: 3

Total Semester Credits: 14

Winter First Year:

ENG 112 - College Composition II Credits: 3
ENG 112A ; ENG 112H ; ENG 113 ; or ENG 211 can be taken in place of ENG 112
LW 221W - Fitness and Wellness Credits: 2
LWT 213W - Vitamins Minerals and Health Credits: 3
LWT 251 - Exercise Physiology Credits: 4
LWT 255 - Health Fitness Management and Promotion Credits: 3

Total Semester Credits:15

Fall Second Year:

LWA 108 - Weight Training Credits: 1
LWA 101 , LWA 106 , or LWA 111 can be taken in place of LWA 108
LWA 158 - Pilates Credits: 1
LWT 170 - Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider Credits: 1
LWT 212 - Introduction to Meditation Credits: 1
LWT 214 - Techniques and Applications of Health Fitness Equipment Credits: 2
LWT 242 - Group Fitness Instructor Credits: 4
SOC 300W - Interviewing, Counseling, and the Helping Relationship Credits: 3

Total Semester Credits: 13

Winter Second Year:

LWA 152 - Ashtanga Yoga Credits: 1
LWT 248 - Food, Culture and Nutrition Counseling Credits: 3
LWT 250 - Health Coach Credits: 3
POL 103W - American Politics Credits: 3
Any History course HIS 237W or below or any Political Science course POL 232W or below from approved list found on the Foundational Civics page can be taken in place of POL 103W
PSY 211W - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 4

Total Semester Credits: 14

Spring Second Year:

LWT 165 - HeartSaver First Aid with CPR Credits: 1
LWT 260 - Health Fitness Experience Credits: 5

Total Semester Credits: 6

Total Credits: 62

Track Two - Personal Trainer

Fall First Year:

BIO 140W - Essentials Of Human Anatomy & Physiology Credits: 5
BIO 152W and BIO 153W can be taken in place of BIO 140W
ENG 111 - College Composition I Credits: 3
ENG 111A ; ENG 111B ; ENG 111C ; or ENG 111H can be taken in place of ENG 111
LWT 210 - Nutrition: The Science of Optimal Living Credits: 3
LW 222 can be taken in place of LWT 210
LWT 245 - Introduction to Plant Based Nutrition-Lifestyle, Health, and Disease Credits: 3

Total Semester Credits: 14

Winter First Year:

ENG 112 - College Composition II Credits: 3
ENG 112A ; ENG 112H ; ENG 113 ; or ENG 211 can be taken in place of ENG 112
LWT 211W - Sports Nutrition Credits: 3
LWT 231W - Introduction to Athletic Training Credits: 3
LWT 251 - Exercise Physiology Credits: 4
LWT 255 - Health Fitness Management and Promotion Credits: 3

Total Semester Credits: 16

Fall Second Year:

LWA 108 - Weight Training Credits: 1
LWA 101 , LWA 106 , or LWA 111 can be taken in place of LWA 108
LWT 165 - HeartSaver First Aid with CPR Credits: 1
LWT 170 can be taken in place of LWT 165
LWT 214 - Techniques and Applications of Health Fitness Equipment Credits: 2
LWT 230 - Theory of Strength and Conditioning Credits: 3
LWT 242 - Group Fitness Instructor Credits: 4
POL 103W - American Politics Credits: 3
POL 105W , POL 212W , POL 215W , POL 220W , POL 221W , POL 223W , POL 225W , POL 228W , HIS 221W , HIS 222W or HIS 237W can be taken in place of POL 103W

Total Semester Credits: 14

Winter Second Year:

LWA 158 - Pilates Credits: 1
LWA 205 - Indoor Cycling Credits: 1
LWT 238 - Fitness Assessment and Evaluation Credits: 3
LWT 240 - Health Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer Credits: 4
PSY 101W - Psychology of Adjustment Credits: 3
PSY 211W can be taken in place of PSY 101W

Total Semester Credits: 12

Spring Second Year:

LWA 161 - Suspension Training Credits: 1
LWT 260 - Health Fitness Experience Credits: 5

Total Semester Credits: 6

Total Credits: 62

Notations

THE GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR ADVANCED CERTIFICATE, THE HEALTH COACH ADVANCED CERTIFICATE, AND PERSONAL TRAINER ADVANCED CERTIFICATE ARE LADDERED INTO THIS PROGRAM. UPON COMPLETION OF THIS PROGRAM STUDENTS CAN ALSO APPLY FOR BOTH OF THE ADVANCED CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS.

A minimum grade of “C” (2.0 or higher) is required in BIO, LW, LWA, and LWT courses.
If you are anticipating pursuing a Baccalaureate Degree, BIO 152W and BIO 153W are required for most transfer programs in place of BIO 140W .
LWT 214 , LWT 230 , LWT 165 , LWT 238 and LWT 242 are offered in the Fall only. LWT 213W , LWT 240 , LWT 250 and LWT 255 are offered in the Winter only.
Current CPR certification is required for LWT 240 , LWT 242 , LWT 250 , and LWT 260 . Current CPR certification must be in place and maintained by the start of these courses. American Heart Association is preferred, and this can be achieved in LWT 165 , LWT 170 or HSC 140 .
You will be required to take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Health Coach Certification Exam while taking LWT 250 Health Coach.
You will be required to take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam while taking LWT 242 Group Fitness Instructor.
You will be required to take the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Personal Trainer Exam while taking LWT 240 Health Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer.
In addition to tuition, fees, and textbook costs, you are responsible for the fees for the ACE examinations. You may have to purchase special shoes, shirts, nametags, and provide transportation to all internship sites.
You need to be aware that internship assignments may be outside the Tri-county area.
See Graduation Requirements and MTA Approved List