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