Overview
About the Program
Career Pathway: NSCA-CPT Personal Trainer Certification, Multi-Competency Health ATS Degree, Nursing AAS Degree, PTA AAS Degree, Associate Arts/Science Degree.
NSCA-Certified Personal Trainers (NSCA-CPT®) are health/fitness professionals who, using an individualized approach, assess, motivate, educate and train clients regarding their personal health and fitness needs. Certified personal trainers design safe and effective exercise programs, provide the guidance to help clients achieve their personal health/fitness goals, and respond appropriately in emergency situations. Recognizing their own area of expertise, a personal trainer will refer clients to other health care professionals when appropriate.
This certificate can serve as an entry point into related careers such as athletic training, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. The program builds on the college’s one-year certificate program in exercise science and includes coursework in exercise assessment and prescription, wellness and disease prevention, nutrition, personal and athletic training, athletic management and biomechanics.
Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate a job outlook growth of 10% through 2026. Hospitals, businesses, insurance organizations, health clubs and other locations will need these individuals to perform fitness work. The 2017 median pay is $18.85/hour or $39,210/year (BLS January 2018).
Learning Outcomes
- Practice effective communication skills with patients, families, and medical staff.
- Apply critical thinking and basic problem-solving skills.
- Practice good customer service techniques.
- Demonstrate positive attitude and excellent work ethics.
- Follow code of conduct by respecting patient’s rights and confidentiality.
- Demonstrate accountability, responsibility and understanding of job description and expectations.
- Perform fitness and wellness skills which may include:
- Obtaining and recording vital signs, height, and weight.
- Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
- Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
- Offer alternatives to accommodate different levels of fitness.
- Plan routines and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
- Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.
- Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
- Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
- Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
- Provide students with information and resources regarding nutrition, weight control, and lifestyle issues
External Certification
Students will be eligible to sit for the NSCA-CPT certification exam. This is a personal training certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Passing the exam results in the credential of NSCA-CPT enabling one to practice as a personal trainer in a variety of settings.
Occupational Certification Opportunities
- National Strength and Conditioning Association—Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
Application Requirements – Limited Enrollment
- MTC Application for Admission (nonrefundable application fee).
- Final high school transcript (or GED results) and college transcripts (if applicable). Your high school/college courses should include successful completion of algebra and biology/chemistry.
- A minimum 2.0 accumulative grade point average (GPA) in high school or college-level courses (whichever is most recent).
- Successful completion of the ACT or Basic Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) in reading, writing, mathematics (algebra) and TST.
Career Opportunities
Curriculum
The following is a typical course sequence for completing this program. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
Second Semester
| NTR1100 | Nutrition | 3 |
| MKT2030 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| SCI1150 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ALH2000 | Exercise in Special Populations | 2 |
| ALH2650 | Strength Training and Exercise Prescrip | 3 |
| ALH2670 | Exercise Science Seminar/Directed Practice | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: 30