
Marie Hansel, Interim Dean of Allied Health and Emergency Services
Email:
mhansel@prairiestate.edu
Phone: (708) 709-2947
Prairie State College provides real world training that expands beyond the classroom with its career programs. The number of health and fitness facilities in the U.S. continues to grow, pumping up the number of professionals needed in this red-hot industry. Students interested in fitness orientated careers train on professional equipment with instructors who have real world knowledge. To supplement classroom work and to gain first-hand experience, students perform an internship. More than 90 percent of PSC’s Personal Training certificate graduates are hired by the place they intern. Internship sites may require immunizations and negative background checks.
Fitness and Exercise (A.A.S. Degree)
Fitness and exercise students will be taught the skills needed to pursue professions
in the fitness/exercise industry. Students in the fitness/exercise program will acquire
an academic foundation in the fundamentals, principles of exercise and nutrition as
well as an understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Practical skills will focus
on the development of expertise in fitness assessment, creative health and fitness
programming, biomechanically sound exercise techniques, training methodology, lifestyle
change prescription, personalized exercise leadership, and business practices. In
addition, courses in English, math, communication, exercise physiology, special populations,
and administration of an exercise facility will prepare the student to be a qualified
fitness professional.
I. General Education Core | 16 credits | |
ENG 101 | 101 Composition I - with a grade of C or better | 3 |
COMM 101 | Principles of Communication | 3 |
Humanities | 3 | |
Mathematics (demonstrated competence required) Placement into MATH 095 or completion of MATH 090- with a grade of C or better | ||
BIOL 111 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
PSYCH 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
II. Program Requirements | 47 | |
BIOL 108 | Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
BUS 101 | Introduction to Modern Business | 3 |
FRESP 101 | First Responder | 3 |
HLTH 101 | Health and Wellness | 2 |
PES 210 | Lifestyle Fitness Coaching | 2 |
PES 215 | Group Fitness Instructor Training | 3 |
PES 220 | Fitness Assessment / Exercise Program Design I | 3 |
PES 225 | Weight Training: Theory and Application | 2 |
PES 230 | Nutrition for Sports and Exercise | 3 |
PES 235 | Athletic Training Techniques | 3 |
PES 250 | Kinesiology | 3 |
PES 255 | Special Populations | 3 |
PES 260 | Fitness/Exercise Facility Management | 3 |
PES 265 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
PES 298 | Internship Seminar | 1 |
PES 299 | Internship for Personal Trainers | 3 |
PSYCH | Select one course from PSYCH 102, 212 | 3 |
III. Electives | 2 credits | |
PE 105 | Aerobics I | 1 |
PE 106 | Aerobics II | 1 |
PE 107 | Aerobics III | 1 |
PE 108 | Aerobics IV | 1 |
PES 202 | Cultural Dance I | 2 |
Program Total: | 65 Credits |
Group Fitness Instructor (Certificate)
Group Fitness Instructor prepares students to provide group instruction in fitness.
Students acquire basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology and nutrition as it relates
to weight management. They are trained in first aid, CPR, and AED, and learn to motivate
students using a full range of instructional strategies.
I. Program Requirements | 13 Credits | |
BIOL 108 | Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
FRESP 101 | First Responder | 3 |
PES 215 | Group Fitness Instructor Training | 3 |
PES 230 | Nutrition for Sports and Exercise | 3 |
II. Electives | 1 credit | |
PE 105 | Aerobics I | 1 |
PE 106 | Aerobics II | 1 |
PE 107 | Aerobics III | 1 |
PE 108 | Aerobics IV | 1 |
Program Total: | 14 credits |
Personal Trainer (Certificate)
Personal Trainers will acquire an academic foundation in the fundamental principles
of exercise and nutrition, and a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
Practical skill training will focus on the development of expertise in fitness assessment,
creative health and fitness programming, biomechanically sound exercise techniques,
training methodology, lifestyle change prescription, personalized exercise leadership
and business practices.
I. Program Requirements | 35 Credits | |
BIOL 108 | Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
BUS 101 | Introduction to Modern Business | 3 |
FRESP 101 | First Responder | 3 |
HLTH 101 | Health and Wellness | 2 |
PE 210 | Lifestyle Fitness Coaching | 2 |
PE 215 | Group Fitness Instructor Training | 3 |
PE 220 | Fitness Assessment / Exercise Program Design I | 3 |
PE 225 | Weight Training: Theory and Application | 2 |
PE 230 | Nutrition for Sports and Exercise | 3 |
PE 235 | Athletic Training Techniques | 3 |
PE 250 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
PE 298 | Internship Seminar | 1 |
PE 299 | Internship for Personal Trainers | 3 |
Program Total: | 35 credits |
Degrees and Certificates
View the curriculum for each program in the current Academic Catalog. You can also access the entire
catalog online. An archive of previous catalogs and addenda is also available.
Please visit Career Programs and Transfer Degrees, where you will find information describing the requirements needed to complete a degree or certificate.
Courses
A listing of course descriptions is available in the current Academic Catalog. For a listing of when courses are offered,
consult the current course schedule or WebAdvisor.
Fitness and Exercise, AAS
Fitness and Exercise students will be taught the skills to pursue professions in fitness/exercise.
Students will acquire an academic foundation in the fundamentals and principles of
exercise and nutrition, as well as an understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
Skills will focus on the development of expertise in fitness assessment, creative
health and fitness programming, biomechanically sound exercise techniques, training
methodology, lifestyle change prescription, personalized exercise leadership, and
business practices. Courses in English, math, communication, exercise physiology,
special populations, and administration of an exercise facility will prepare the student
to be a qualified fitness professional.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to appropriately integrate the skills needed to personal train
- Implement program designs
- Understand the general characteristics, structure, specific functions, and movement of the human body
- Identify work habits and attitudes necessary for success on the job
- Assess a client’s cardiorespiratory, muscular endurance, and strength and flexibility