Personal Trainer Certification


Our Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) program emphasizes anatomy, exercise physiology, exercise psychology, small business practices and an optional personal training internship. This certificate is designed to prepare students to begin a career in a variety of health and fitness fields. Students will be exposed to lecture and activity courses that will provide them with the foundational knowledge they need to be successful personal trainers. Topics include health screening, strength/fitness assessment, basic exercise science, and program design. Students will also take part in progressive hands-on courses (Kin 4 LA, LB, LC, LD) where they will be given the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills as interns in our Wellness Education Center.

This certificate is appropriate for students considering careers in personal training, strength and conditioning, group exercise, physical therapy, and athletic training. The certificate requires the completion of six courses and could be completed in two semesters as a part-time student. If you are planning to transfer, click here to view a CSUMB transfer roadmap. See the below for more certificate information or email gamarcoc@cabrillo.edu.


Required Courses

KIN 4 Introduction to Personal Training

3 student units; 3 hour lecture/lab; Offered fall semesters only

Prepares students to pass a national exam in Personal Training (NSCA, NASM, ACE). Topics include health screening, strength/fitness assess-ment, basic exercise science, and program design. Appropriate for stu-dents considering careers in personal training, group exercise, physical therapy, and athletic training.

Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU.

KIN 4LA Beginning-Level Personal Training Internship

1 student unit; 2 hour hands-on lab; Offered every fall & spring

Provides the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in Kin-4, and provides beginning-level practical exposure to the field of personal training.

Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU.

KIN 4LB Intermediate-Level Personal Training Internship

1 student unit; 2 hour hands-on lab; Offered every fall & spring

Provides the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in Kin-4 including intermediate-level practical exposure to the field of personal training.

Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU.

KIN 4LC Advanced-Level Personal Training Internship

1 student unit; 2 hour hands-on lab; Offered every fall & spring

Provides the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in Kin-4 including demonstrating the ability to individualize exercise instruction.

Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU.

KIN 4LD Expert-Level Personal Training Internship

1 student unit; 2 hour hands-on lab; Offered every fall & spring

Provides the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in Kin-4 including the proper communication of fitness instructions.

Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU.

KIN 8A Beginning Exercise and Nutrition for Wellness and Weight Loss

2 student units; 3 hour lecture/lab; Offered spring semesters only

Provides education, instruction, and support in weight management that uses an integrated approach among the disciplines of exercise science, nutrition, and behavioral modification.

Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU.

BIO 13A Biology of People-Anatomy and Physiology

3 units; 3 hours Lecture

Presents a survey of the integration of structure and function of the most wonderful of machines, the human body. Not open to students who have taken BIO 4 or BIO 5. Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: BIO 13A + 13AL combined with BIO 4 and 5: maximum credit-2 courses. CAB GE B2, CSU GE B2, IGETC 5B.

KIN 15 Community Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation

0.5 units; hands-on lab

Provides certification in American Heart Association CPR. Provides training care for the adult, child, and infant victim. Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: KIN 13 & 15 combined: maximum credit-1 course.

HS 21 Health and Physical Fitness

3 student units; Offered fall and spring semesters

Studies the implications of physical activity relative to the mental, physical and social well-being of the individual in today's society.

Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU.

Plus 3 Units from Any of the Following

*Other Kin courses are acceptable for this category so please speak to Gary Marcoccia before enrolling

KIN 27A Beginning Weight Training

0.5 to 2 units

Provides instruction for the beginning student on the biomechanics of strength training, muscle trainability, and training principles using machines, free weights, and body weight. Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: Any or all KIN activity courses combined: maximum credit - 4 units. CAB GE E, CSU GE E (Beg. F'13- may be used to meet Area E if combined with other non-activity Area E units from the CG or NUTR (CAHM) departments).

KIN 31A Beginning Total Fitness

0.5 to 2 units

Provides cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, flexibility exercises, and instruction in concepts relative to physical fitness for the beginning student. Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: Any or all KIN activity courses combined: maximum credit - 4 units. CAB GE E, CSU GE E (Beg. F'13- may be used to meet Area E if combined with other non-activity Area E units from the CG or NUTR (CAHM) departments).

KIN 34A Bootcamp Fitness

0.5 to 2 units

Provides instruction in an approach to fitness using functional and core training for the beginning student. Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: Any or all KIN activity courses combined: maximum credit - 4 units. CAB GE E, CSU GE E (Beg. F'13- may be used to meet Area E if combined with other non-activity Area E units from the CG or NUTR (CAHM) departments).

KIN 35A Beginning Cross Training

0.5 to 2 units

Provides instruction on fitness using constantly varied functional movements with body weight and light weight equipment to challenge beginning students in a supportive environment. Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: Any or all KIN activity courses combined: maximum credit - 4 units. CAB GE E, CSU GE E (Beg. F'13- may be used to meet Area E if combined with other non-activity Area E units from the CG or NUTR (CAHM) departments).

KIN 37A Beginning Hatha Yoga

0.5 to 2 units

Provides instruction on asanas (postures) with attention to breath awareness and detail of postural alignment of the body to develop strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and to reduce stress for the beginning student. Develops awareness in the physical body to establish the mind/body connection. Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: Any or all KIN activity courses combined: maximum credit - 4 units. CAB GE E, CSU GE E (Beg. F'13- may be used to meet Area E if combined with other non-activity Area E units from the CG or NUTR (CAHM) departments).

KIN 38A Beginning Yoga for Stress Reduction

0.5 to 2 units

Explores the eight limbs of yoga as a method for reducing stress, improving well-being, and cultivating the connection of mind and body for the beginning student. Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: Any or all KIN activity courses combined: maximum credit - 4 units. CAB GE E, CSU GE E (Beg. F'13- may be used to meet Area E if combined with other non-activity Area E units from the CG or NUTR (CAHM) departments).

KIN 61A Beginning Futsol

0.5 to 2 units

Provides instruction in skills and strategies of indoor soccer-futsal for the beginning student. Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: Any or all KIN activity courses combined: maximum credit - 4 units. CAB GE E, CSU GE E (Beg. F'13- may be used to meet Area E if combined with other non-activity Area E units from the CG or NUTR (CAHM) departments).

KIN 62A Beginning Water Aerobics

0.5 to 2 units

Provides cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strengthening, and flexibility through non-swimming water exercise emphasizing low impact on joints for the beginning student. Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: Any or all KIN activity courses combined: maximum credit - 4 units. CAB GE E, CSU GE E (Beg. F'13- may be used to meet Area E if combined with other non-activity Area E units from the CG or NUTR (CAHM) departments).

Additional Kinesiology Degrees

Kinesiology A.A. - T Transfer Degree

Kinesiology is the academic discipline concerned with the art and science of human movement. Kinesiology may also be listed as Physical Education or Human Performance at some campuses. Students may pursue Bachelors and graduate degrees with emphasis in adaptive physical education, athletic training, physical therapy, dance, move-ment sciences, sports management, teaching, and coaching which provide numerous career opportunities in both the public, and private sectors.

Cabrillo offers options for degrees in Kinesiology. The first option listed below is an Associate in Arts in Kinesiology for Transfer (A.A.-T), which is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor's degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing these degrees are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. See Associate Degree for Transfer information in the Cabrillo College Catalog. Students pursuing transfer to a specific campus or major concentration should pay careful attention to the courses they choose from List A to insure major preparation for their preferred campus. Assist.org might also be a helpful resource.

The following is required for all A.A. - T or A.S. - T degrees:

  • Completion of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.

  • Minimum grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors may require a higher GPA.

  • Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units in the major with a letter grade of “C” or better, or a “P” if the course is taken on a “Pass/No Pass” basis.

  • Certified completion of the California State University General Education- Breadth pattern (CSU GE Breadth) or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern.