Program Overview
The Health and Fitness Education (HFE) Department at MCC provides two levels of credentials designed to prepare and/or enhance preparation for new and/or existing health-fitness careers. The Fitness Instructor Training (FIT) certificate is a great starting point and includes 28 credit hours that can be completed in as little as three consecutive semesters. For those seeking a degree, the AAS in HFE can be completed in as little as two years. You will find great flexibility with both of these programs, as all of the courses found in the FIT certificate can be applied to the AAS in HFE. Many students will gain employment after receiving the FIT certificate and continue working towards their degree.
Health-fitness professionals hold a variety of positions including personal fitness trainer, small-group exercise instructor, exercise testing and prescription technician, and fitness/exercise instructor. Health-fitness management positions include personal training manager, fitness manager, and supervisor of wellness services. An additional, new and emerging professional area is known as fitness or wellness coaching.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupation of Fitness Trainer and Instructors is expected to grow by 13 percent between 2014 to 2024 nationwide. A 16.6 percent annual employment growth rate exists at the state level. Time magazine recently ranked fitness as one of the top 10 growth industries for the next five to 10 years.
Certifications
The MCC curriculum incorporates learning resources from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and other national governing bodies. As students complete coursework, they are also preparing for a variety of national certifications. Most students choose to pursue at least one of these certifications before they graduate, making themselves more marketable in the field.
For more information, visit: www.mchenry.edu/hfe
The primary purpose of an Associate in Applied Science degree is to prepare students for employment. The AAS degree is not designed specifically for transfer; however, there are opportunities to apply some coursework or the whole degree to a bachelor’s degree program. For more information, see an academic advisor and the FIT program advisor/department chair.
Health and Fitness Education, AAS Sample Semester Pathway
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