Welcome to the Exercise Science Program online information session.

The information session is designed to supply applicants to the Exercise Science program with accurate information and guide the applicant through the application process.

Successful completion of an information session is a mandatory step in the application process and must be completed before applying to the program.

At the end of the presentation, there is a post test to be completed as verification of reading the informational session material.

What is the Exercise Science Program?

The Exercise Science program prepares students for a variety of careers within the rapidly growing fitness and wellness industry. In general, students will use their knowledge of fitness, exercise, and a proper diet to help individuals or groups improve their health and well-being.

Graduates are qualified to work with gyms, corporations, or individuals.

The Program goals are to:

1. Produce students who are to produce students who are competent and knowledgeable in both the concepts of fitness and health as well as skilled in the application of training methods on a healthy individual.
2. Actively train individuals with the focus on safe and effective programs that result in a healthier client.
3. Optimize employment opportunities for the graduate of our program. Students will be prepared to work in gyms, corporations, or with individuals.
4. Help students prepare for national certification exams.

Why is this Job Market so Lucrative?

Aging baby boomers - are concerned with staying healthy, physically fit, and independent. They have become the largest demographic group of health club members.

Reduction of physical education programs and childhood obesity - The reduction of physical education programs in schools, combined with parents’ growing concern about childhood obesity, has resulted in rapid increases in children’s health club membership.

Youth athletes and young professional adults - Increasingly, athletic youth also are hiring personal trainers, and weight-training gyms for children younger than 18 are expected to continue to grow. Health club membership among young adults also has grown steadily, driven by concern with physical fitness and by rising incomes.

Job Expectations

What are common job expectations for the Trainer?

• Many jobs are part-time, but trainers may work at multiple sites to help increase income. Full-time employment is more difficult for the beginning to obtain.
• Night and weekend working hours are common for the person fitness trainer.

The Exercise Science program offers three plans that an individual can apply to.

Fitness Specialist: seventeen-hour certificate

Click here to view certificate plan

Employment expectation for this certificate

The Fitness Specialist certificate can be completed in one semester. This certificate is designed to train individuals who seek employment as a support staff member in a fitness facility but not as a personal trainer. Included in the 17-hour certificate are instruction in fitness evaluation, wellness concepts, facility operation, and human anatomy and physiology.

Associate of Applied Science

Click here to view the degree plan

Sixty-hour degree program

The Associate of Applied Science is a 60 hour, two-year degree program.

Employment Opportunities

The degree may offer more employment opportunities by facilities which require a higher level of education.

CPR

Students must hold current adult CPR/AED certification to be awarded the Personal Fitness Associate of Applied Science Degree.

Degree versus certificate

The degree is designed to integrate the educational and practical training skills needed to be an exercise professional as well as cater to the individual who may have plans to continue his/her education at a four-year institution.

Requirements for Exercise Science Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

The prospective student interested in the Associate Degree must meet with the Department Chair to develop a degree plan. Course suggestions will vary greatly depending on individual student college transcript. Please note that an associate degree pursuant can be begin with a Fitness Specialist Level 1 Certificate, move on to the Personal Fitness Trainer Level 1 Certificate, and then complete the Exercise Science Associate of Applied Science degree.

Course Sequence

Typical start is Fall semester.

Personal Factors for Acceptance

Priority for acceptance is given to individuals who:

Have displayed academic success previous to applying to the program and can pursue either the certificate or the AAS degree as a full-time student. Although, part-time status does not exclude a student from the program.

Each year approximately 12 to 16 students are accepted into the program to begin coursework in the Fall.

Application Requirements

• No criminal background check required
• No immunization records required
• No drug screen required

You have concluded the informational session for the Exercise Science program.

1. Please continue to the short verification post test.
2. At the conclusion of the post test, fill out the departmental application – the link will show up when you submit the test.
3. Application Submission is the final step to the application process. The department chair will contact you to schedule a meeting on the RVS campus.

Contact Us

Pam Soto, Department Chair

Office 1134-A

Riverside Campus (RVS)

1020 Grove Blvd.

Austin, Texas 78741

Phone: 512.223.6040

Email: psoto@austincc.edu

https://www.austincc.edu/campuses/riverside-campus