The personal fitness training certificate program provides students with the knowledge, skills and competencies they need to develop evidence-based physical activity programs for the general population to achieve positive health changes.
After completion of the certificate, students have the ability to obtain an entry to intermediate-level personal training or group fitness certification through any accredited association. This program does not prepare students to work with clients with special needs or existing health conditions.
At A Glance
Application requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements:
Affording college
Scholarships
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Financial Aid
ASU has many financial aid options. Almost everyone, regardless
of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact,
more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of
financial assistance every year.
Certification and licensure
National certification to become a certified strength and conditioning specialist is available through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Certification is not required for private-sector careers; however, some organizations do require certification as part of employment or for promotion purposes.
The College of Health Solutions prepares graduates for excellence upon entering the workplace. Since certification and licensure requirements vary by profession and from state-to-state, we recommend that you visit the ASU licensure website to determine if your program meets the requirements of individual state licensures or national certifications, as applicable. If you have specific questions, please contact your program director or degree coordinator.
Program requirements
Degree requirements
Required Courses (15 credit hours)
EXW 214 Flexibility Instructional Competency Laboratory (2)
EXW 216 Muscular Strength Instructional Competency Laboratory (2)
EXW 218 Cardiovascular Instructional Competency Laboratory (2)
EXW 302 Fundamentals of Wellness, L (3)
EXW 320 Management and Leadership in Exercise and Wellness (3)
EXW 335 Physical Activity and Fitness Concepts (3)
Elective (3 credit hours; select one course from below)
EXW 344 Physical Activity in Health and Disease (3)
EXW 400 Stress Management for Wellness (3)
EXW 410 Obesity Perspectives and Prescriptions (3)
Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" (2.00) in all courses in the certificate.
Depending on a students's undergraduate program of study, prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate. The following prerequisite courses are needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate: BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4); BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4); EXW 101 Foundations in Exercise Science and Wellness (3); PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3).
In order to receive the certificate, students must complete their bachelor's degree at ASU along with all certificate requirements.
Enrollment requirements
GPA Requirement: 2.00
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Career outlook
Students can advance their career options with an undergraduate certificate. The certificate program in personal fitness training helps students become more marketable in the general health fields by providing specific content knowledge on exercise techniques, the positive impact physical activity can have on overall health, and reductions in the risk for developing chronic disease.