Fitness Specialist: Health Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer
Certificate of Achievement Kinesiology · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
This program provides students with theory necessary to be effective in the health fitness industry (health clubs, corporate fitness, etc.). Students in this program will learn scientific principles of exercise and physical conditioning, techniques for the measurement of human performance, and methods for establishing healthy nutritional patterns.
Program Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will have the knowledge, skills & experience necessary to assess an individual’s level of physical fitness and design appropriate exercise programming to improve physical fitness.
- Students will be qualified for careers as fitness instructors, exercise testing technicians, strength coaches, or personal fitness trainers.
- Develops a strong understanding of the business aspects of personal training, including effective practices, professional ethics, marketing, record keeping, and communication.
Requirements
Review Certificate Requirements.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| KIN A270 | Fitness and Health | 3 |
| KIN A280 | Strength Conditioning/Theory | 3 |
| KIN A282 | Introduction to Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KIN A296 | Personal Trainer | 3 |
| KIN A297 | Fitness Specialist Practicum | 2 |
| KIN A298 | Fitness Specialist Internship | 2-3 |
| Restricted Electives - Select 3-5 units: | 3-5 | |
| BIOL A220 | Human Anatomy | |
| BIOL A221 | Anatomy-Physiology | |
| BIOL A225 | Human Physiology | |
| KIN A202 | Introduction to Kinesiology | |
| KIN A271 | Drugs & Sports | |
| KIN A272 | Movement Analysis | |
| KIN A273 | Sports Medicine | |
| KIN A279 | Sports Management | |
| KIN A283 | Nutrition, Fitness, and Performance | |
| orFN A136 | Nutrition, Fitness and Performance | |
| Any Kinesiology active participation course KIN A105-A159, A206-A259 | ||
| Total Units | 19-22 | |
Program Sequence
Program Sequence
These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| KIN A270 | Fitness and Health |
| KIN A280 | Strength Conditioning/Theory |
| KIN A297 | Fitness Specialist Practicum |
| KIN A296 | Personal Trainer |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| KIN A282 |
| KIN A298 |
| CERT RESTRICTED ELECTIVES (See Requirements) |
Recommended student take KIN A203 First Aid and CPR during intersession if no CPR & First Aid card.