student on gym equipment

Personal Trainer, Certificate

The Personal Trainer Certificate is designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in personal training: kinesiology, nutrition, fitness assessment, and exercise program design. The culmination of the coursework in this program prepares students to sit for a nationally accredited personal training certification exam.

Once nationally certified as a personal trainer, students are eligible for employment at local health clubs, community centers, park districts, and other fitness-related facilities.

For more information about Physical Education, Fitness, and Sports Studies, please visit the program page.

Certificate Requirements

Field of Study Code: PHYS.CER.TRAIN

Program Requirements 2, 3
PHYS 2258The Science of Nutrition3
PHYS 2261Applied Kinesiology3
PHYS 2263Foundations of Personal Training3
PHYS 2266Fitness Assessment and Exercise Program Design3
PHYS 2268Advanced Principles of Weight Training3
Program Electives 16
Complete 6 credits from the following:
ANAT 1500
Survey of Human Anatomy and Physiology
PHYS 1101
Fitness Conditioning I
PHYS 1123
Boot Camp Fitness I
PHYS 1131
Cardio Kickboxing I
PHYS 1171
Weight Training I
PHYS 1184
Body Sculpting I
PHYS 1500
Performance Nutrition
PHYS 1554
Healthy Eating
PHYS 1555
Personal Fitness Program
PHYS 1556
Stress Management
PHYS 1901
Hatha Yoga I
PHYS 1904
Gentle Yoga I
PHYS 1911
Pilates I (Mat)
PHYS 2200
Introduction to Physical Education, Exercise Science, and Sport
PHYS 2202
Introduction to Sport Management
PHYS 2240
Introduction to Sport Psychology
PHYS 2251
Living With Health
PHYS 2254
Advanced First Aid, CPR and AED
PHYS 2255
Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
PHYS 2270
Introduction to Sports Marketing
Total Credits21
1

Elective coursework can be a combination of lecture and activity classes. Only 4 activity courses (those that are 1 credit hour) may be taken. 

2

Highly suggest taking Human Anatomy and Physiology prior to starting the certificate. 

3

Highly suggest taking the courses in order that are listed on the certificate.