Program Advisor: Sherry Scheer, 413-236-4511
Endorsed by:
The American College of Sports Medicine
The Physical Fitness degree option offers students an opportunity to expand upon the Physical Fitness certificate program. In addition to instruction in nutrition, cardiovascular and strength conditioning, personal training,and other topics that are covered in the certificate program, the degree program goes on to explore the human body and its relationship to exercise and fitness more intensely. Topics include the mind/body connection, injury prevention,and sports psychology. Deeper exploration of exercise physiology and human anatomy are also provided.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Demonstrate written and oral English competence;
- Use modern technology to access, evaluate and apply information (state-of-the-art fitness equipment; cardio monitoring;knowledge of safe use of fitness equipment);
- Demonstrate competence in career planning, health management, and lifelong learning;
- Demonstrate skills beyond entry-level (health and fitness club manager, private personal trainer, specialized fitness instructor);
- Identify good, basic exercise testing and program design;
- Practice good nutrition and explain basic principles to clients relative to exercise physiology.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete the 64 program and general education credits, plus the additional requirements, shown below:
| Program | 42 Credits |
| AHS 142 Exercise Science | 3 |
| AHS 148 Responding to Medical Emergencies | 2 |
| AHS 150 Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| AHS 155 Stress and Your Health | 3 |
| AHS 220 Principles of Fitness Components | 3 |
| AHS 235 Fitness Program Planning | 3 |
| AHS 238 Mind/Body Theory and Methods | 3 |
| PED 135 Ultimate Functional Training Workout | 2 |
| PED 136 Weight Training | 1 |
| PED 137 Aerobics | 1 |
| PED 144 Stretching and Flexibility | 1 |
| PED 152 Group Exercise Instruction | 2 |
| PED 161 Advanced Strength Training | 1 |
| PED 170 Personal Trainer | 3 |
| PED 180 Fitness for Life | 2 |
| PED 196 Practicum l | 1 |
| PED 197 Practicum ll | 1 |
| PED 207 Prevention/Care Exercise Injuries | 2 |
| PED 241 Advanced Practicum l | 1 |
| PED 242 Advanced Practicum ll | 1 |
| PED 250 Psychology of Sport | 3 |
| General Education | 22 Credits |
| BIO 150 Intro to the Human Body | 4 |
| COM 105 Intro to Oral Communication | 3 |
| ENG English Composition/Writing | 6 |
| MAT 136 Math for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| PSY 107 Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| General Education Elective (see footnote 1) |
| Additional | As Shown |
| Core Competencies Portfolio (Items) | 4 |
| Forum (units) | 4 |
| Health/Fitness (see footnote 2) | 30 |
| Minimum Cumulative Average Overall | 2.000 |
| Area of Specialization: All Program Requirements | 2.000 |
SUGGESTED BLOCK FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student's individual needs.
| First Semester |
15 Credits |
| AHS 142 Exercise Science | 3 |
| AHS 148 Responding to Medical Emergencies | 2 |
| AHS 150 Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| COM 105 Intro to Oral Communication | 3 |
| PED 136 Weight Training | 1 |
| PED 180 Fitness for Life | 2 |
| PED 196 Practicum l 1 | 1 |
| Second Semester | 14 Credits |
| AHS 155 Stress and Your Health | 3 |
| PED 135 Exercise Prescriptions | 2 |
| PED 137 Aerobics | 1 |
| PED 144 Stretching and Flexibility | 1 |
| PED 152 Group Exercise Instruction | 2 |
| PED 161 Advanced Strength Training | 1 |
| PED 170 Personal Trainer | 3 |
| PED 197 Practicum ll | 1 |
| Third Semester | 14 Credits |
| AHS 220 Principles of Fitness Components | 3 |
| AHS 235 Fitness Program Planning | 3 |
| BIO Introduction to the Human Body (see footnote 3) | 4 |
| ENG English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| PED 241 Advanced Practicum I | 1 |
| PSY 107 Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| Fourth Semester |
18 Credits |
| AHS 238 Mind/Body Theory and Methods | 3 |
| PED 207 Prevention/Care Exercise Injuries | 2 |
| PED 242 Advanced Practicum ll | 1 |
| PED 250 Psychology of Sport | 3 |
| ENG English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| MAT 136Math for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| General Education Elective (see footnote 1) | 3 |
Footnotes:
1. General Education Elective chosen from History or Humanities and Fine Arts.
2. Fulfilled by successful completion of PED 135
3. BIO 201 and BIO 202 can be taken in place of BIO 150.
NOTE: Any prior criminal offense could hinder placement in clinical agencies and the ability to become licensed in this field.
See Criminal Offender Record Information Checks.