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Exercise Specialist (A.A.S.)

If you’re interested in exercise and nutrition and enjoy helping others lead a healthier lifestyle, you can earn the specialized training and skills from Bryan to educate others. With an Exercise Specialist Associate of Applied Science degree, you can learn to work one-on-one with clients to help them learn how to get and stay fit, track their progress and more.

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Program Highlights

  • Associate of Applied Science
  • 70 Weeks; 7 Quarters in Length

Want to learn about health and wellness while helping others reach their fitness goals? Earn your Associate of Applied Science degree as an Exercise Specialist at Bryan University and you can make staying in shape more than a lifestyle – you can make it your career!

If you’re interested in exercise and nutrition and enjoy helping others lead a healthier lifestyle, you can earn the specialized training and skills from Bryan University to educate others.

If you’re going to dedicate your fitness career to helping others improve their lives through health and wellness, then it’s important to have the expertise.

Starting with a training program, like the Exercise Specialist Associate of Applied Science degree program, can lead you to gain a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, and also the hands-on experience necessary to succeed as a fitness trainer.

For a Successful Career, Start With a Great Training Program.

Starting with a training program, like the Exercise Specialist Associate of Applied Science degree program, can lead you to gain a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, and also the hands-on experience necessary to succeed as a fitness trainer.

If you’re going to dedicate your fitness career to helping others improve their lives through health and wellness, then it’s important to have the expertise.

At Bryan, your training will focus on the following areas:

  • Physical fitness office and records management
  • Nutrition and weight management
  • The physiology used in physical fitness
  • Physical training techniques
  • Legal requirements of the industry
  • Hands-on field experience

Your Career in Exercise Science

Make your passion your career.

Many people get caught in the chaos of daily life and fitness gets continually knocked down the priority list. That’s why this career path is so important to those who want to get their health and wellness back on track. With an Exercise Specialist Associate of Applied Science degree, you can learn to work one-on-one with clients to help them learn how to get and stay fit, track their progress and more.

Exercise Specialist Career Opportunities

As a graduate of this program, you can become prepared to pursue a variety of positions within the field of fitness.

Earn your Exercise Specialist Associate of Applied Science degree from Bryan, and begin your career motivating others.

Skills You Can Gain from Bryan University

This program can provide you with the skills necessary for a career in a physical fitness environment. The program emphasizes a variety of areas that can help you gain proficiencies in office management, records management, lifestyle and health, nutrition, athletic training and physiology, which are all important aspects of a physical fitness career.

At Bryan, you can become familiar with industry terminology, biomechanics and exercise physiology. You will also learn about the legal requirements associated with the fitness industry and how to obtain and release client information. With this training and your externship, you’ll have the skill set and hands-on experience to earn your personal trainer certification and become a fitness trainer to help others improve their health and wellness.

Do you have the right personality for College?

Find out what your personality is like and discover your traits, worries & concerns about taking the next step to study at school towards a new and rewarding career. this quick and easy assessment will provide you with some insight into what to focus on and what

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Program Details

Support Courses – 13.5 credits required

CA100 +

Introduction to Computer Software Management
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

The student is introduced to the history of computers, operating systems and a basic understanding of modern software and the impact on the business environment. This course will allow students to become acquainted with the computer, integrated software, and vital Internet and online communications techniques through hands-on training. Emphasis is placed on computer hardware, current operating systems software, and development of keyboarding skills. The student is also introduced to email communications.

CA110 +

Introduction to Computer Applications
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course provides the student with a basic understanding of modern software and the impact on the business environment. The course is designed to introduce the history of computers and information systems in an uncomplicated way to reach students with a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and skills. The course will allow students to become acquainted with the computer and integrated software through hand-on training.

CA120 +

Strategies for Success
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

The student will develop skills related to goal setting, personal accountability, positive attitudes and beliefs, enhanced expectations, self-efficacy building, teamwork, planning, improved performance, higher quality of life and overall personal development.

Core Courses – 58.5 credits required

PT100 +

Lifestyle and Health
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts for physical fitness and wellness. Students will gain knowledge on the latest findings in exercise physiology and sports medicine, along with the tools for self-assessment and guidelines for developing physical fitness. In the area of wellness, a student will learn current trends and information on today’s most important health related topics and issues, with self-tests and guidelines for achieving wellness.

AP101 +

Anatomy and Physiology
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course is a study of the structure and function of several systems of the human body, including the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, the lymphatic and immune systems. In addition, structural units, fluids and electrolytes, acid-base balance, as well as blood and circulation are discussed.

PT102 +

Leisure Programming
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts for leisure programming. Students will gain knowledge in the areas of direct services delivery, program planning, and program management. The course will focus on issues related to customer service and benefits, such as providing leisure experiences, assessing customer needs, evaluating program impact, promoting positive customer and leader interactions, analyzing, and implementing policies, and supervising staff.

AP105 +

Anatomy and Physiology
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course is a study of the structure and function of several systems of the human body. Topics covered include the respiratory system, the nervous system, the urinary system, the female and male reproductive systems, human development and genetics, the digestive system, concepts of metabolic function and nutrition, the endocrine system and special sense.

PT105 +

The Business of Personal Training
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

The course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of business in the personal training field. An overview to the functions of a personal training business will include an evaluation of personal training as a profession, personal training as a business, management, finance, accounting, marketing, legal and professional responsibilities of personal training.

PT106 +

Kinesiology
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

In this course students will learn the mechanical concepts and principles that underlie human movement and the basic structure and function of the musculoskeletal system. Discussions will systematically focus on the bones, muscles and joints for the upper extremity, lower extremity, and the spinal column, pelvis, and thorax. This course will assist the students understanding of the musculoskeletal system as a machine capable of generating and transmitting forces, while exploring the concept that musculoskeletal imbalance results in pathomechanics for injury and disease. Practical application of basic concepts will be made to practical problems in public health and wellness.

PT110 +

Biomechanics
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course will act as a guide and reference for the anatomy and biomechanical movements of the human skeleton, and muscles. Special attention will be spent on the identification terms related to these systems. In addition, students will learn the description of motion including patterns and speed of movement sequencing by the body segments and how anthropometrics factor in with impacts on kinetic analysis.

PT120 +

Exercise Physiology
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course provides the fundamentals for the study of exercise physiology. It thoroughly examines both the immediate responses to, and the long-term benefits of exercise. In addition, students will view exercise physiology in the clinical setting and professional issues pertaining to career opportunities.

PT140 +

Personal Training
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course provides the core concepts in personal training and fitness instruction. A student will develop the knowledge, skills, and motivation to enhance the physical fitness and well-being of individuals or groups. Areas of concentration will be Fitness Instruction, Physical Fitness Assessment, Physical Conditioning and Designing a Conditioning Program.

PT170 +

Sport Law and Ethics
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course includes a basic introduction to concepts and issues dealing with legal concerns in recreation and sports in contemporary society. Students will review legal issues pertaining to contracts, premises liability, discrimination, Title IX eligibility, equal opportunity, labor relations and federal funding through examination of case law, statues, and regulations pertinent to sports management.

PT200 +

Exercise Testing and Prescription
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

Developed to help students master the essential measurement and evaluation content, principles, and concepts to become an effective evaluator, this text provides the practical skills and materials students will need for measurement and evaluation whether they work in teaching or exercise science.

PT205 +

Conducting and Reading Research in Health and Human Performance
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

Designed for the first course in research methods, this text shows students how to conduct and read research, design research tools, and evaluate results in health, kinesiology, exercise science, recreation, dance, and all other areas of human performance--providing comprehensive coverage of both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

PT299 +

Externship
135 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

Students will be assigned to a training facility, clinic or other physical fitness setting and will be trained for duties that are vital in today’s fitness field. This course will train the student to develop fundamental skills for tasks such as exercise physiology, nutrition, diet, weight maintenance, athletic training, business operation, first aid, sports medicine, and proficiency in physical health software functions. Prerequisite: Must have a 2.0 cGPA in all completed core courses.

General Education Courses – 54 credits required

GEN101 +

Introduction to Algebra
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course is the study of real numbers and variables. Topics studied include operations involving real numbers and algebraic expressions, solving linear equations and inequalities, graphs of linear equations and inequalities, simplifying rational expressions and exponents, factoring, and radicals.

GEN120 +

Composition I
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This is the basic writing course designed to improve writing skills. The student writes essays in which organization, proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling usage are stressed. The student will also write a research paper with appropriate format and documentation.

GEN140 +

Composition II
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This course focuses on honing and expanding college writing skills through its focus on writing analysis and the preparation of essays. Prerequisite: GEN120 – Composition I.

GEN230 +

Introduction to American Politics
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

In this course a student will study the institutions and constitutional framework of the United States Government and survey the structure and development of city and state government systems. The course is developed to teach values, rights, and responsibilities that shape the public decision making of an active and informed citizen and influence contemporary public affairs in a democratic society.

GEN240 +

Psychology
55 Credit Hours (55 contact hours)

This general psychology course is intended to provide the student with a basic understanding of psychology, its relationships to the life sciences and how behaviors affect people’s everyday lives. Emphasis is placed on developmental psychology and the problems that people face in regard to relationships and the mental and physical dilemmas they may pose. Topics such as stress, altered states of consciousness, aging, conflicts and types of therapies will be presented.

GRAND TOTAL Contact Hours: 1235
Quarter Credit Hours: 94.5