Health and Fitness Professional (A.A.S.)
Purpose
The Health and Fitness Professional program provides a comprehensive curriculum and educational experience for students who wish to enter the health and fitness field. The program provides graduates the opportunity to meet eligibility requirements for taking the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer and Health/Fitness certification examinations. Each student will earn and must maintain the American Red Cross certification in First Aid and Adult Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. In addition to these certifications, the program provides the student with a strong theoretical base as well as practical experience via service learning and an experiential practicum in an educational fitness setting.
The breadth and depth of information in the Health and Fitness Professional Program of Study is supplemented by each student choosing electives to support a directed study course in one area of Health and Fitness. These areas include holistic health, adapted/therapeutic recreation, fitness for older adults, women’s health issues, personal health and wellness, or coaching. Graduates will have the competencies for employment in an entry-level position in the fitness/health industry and allied fields such as personal trainer, corporate wellness, YMCA, commercial recreation and fitness centers, recreational therapy, retirement homes and communities. Upon successful completion of the Health and Fitness Professional program, students also have the option to continue their education in this field at a four year college or university.
Program Mission
The Health and Fitness Professional program has a mission that reflects the mission of Montgomery County Community College. At the core of this mission is providing a quality educational experience to each student through a variety of instructional techniques. Experiential learning will be emphasized by students conducting fitness/health promotions within the College and greater communities. The focus is to produce graduates who are prepared to be successful in an entry-level position within the health and fitness field.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- apply the written Skill Component that includes health appraisals, fitness testing, and personal documentation of goals, results, and client programming.
- apply the exercise science Knowledge Component that includes anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, human development, aging, risk factors, human behavior and psychology.
- apply the Ability Component that addresses applying knowledge and skills to Exercise prescription.
Curriculum
First Semester
| PEH 102 | Introduction to Physical Education and Exercise Science | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| HIS 103, 105 or 107 | History of Western Civilization | 3 |
| BIO 129 | Human Anatomy and Physiology for the Health and Fitness Professional | 4 |
| PSY
101 OR PSY 137 OR PSY/IDS 138 |
Introduction to Psychology OR Introduction to Organizational Psychology OR Creativity and Innovation |
3 |
Second Semester
| ENG
102 OR ENG 115 OR ENG 117 |
English Composition II OR Writing for Technical Communication OR Writing for Business and Industry |
3 |
| PEH 222 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
| PEH 206 | Basic Nutrition | 3 |
| SPC
110 OR SPC 111 OR SPC 230 |
Introduction to Speech Communication OR Cross-Cultural Emphasis: Introduction to Speech Communication OR Communication in Organizations |
3 |
| PEH 146 | Conditioning, Weight Training and Control | 2 |
| PEH 148 | Hatha Yoga | 2 |
Third Semester
| PEH 224 | Introduction to Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| PEH 226 | Assessment of Human Fitness | 3 |
| PEH 245 | Safety and First Aid | 3 |
| Elective | PEH | 2-3 |
| PEH
185 OR PEH 210 OR PEH 216 OR PEH 220 OR PEH 235 OR PEH 240 |
Issues in Women's Health OR Holistic Health: Complementary and Alternative Health Practices OR Adaptive Physical Education for Special Needs Child/Adult OR Directing Fitness and Recreational Programs for Older Adults OR Personal Health and Wellness Education OR Principles of Coaching |
3 |
Fourth Semester
| PEH 215 | Prevention and Care of Athletic Injury | 3 |
| PEH 296 | Practicum for the Health and Fitness Professional | 3 |
| Elective | Humanities, Social Science, or Math/Science/Technology | 3 |
| Elective | PEH | 3 |
| Elective | PEH | 2-3 |
TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS CREDIT: 60-62 CREDITS
