Health Promotion - Fitness Certificate

Purpose

Health promotion is the science and art of helping people, organizations, and communities transform lifestyle behaviors to move toward a state of improved health and reduction in chronic disease and health care costs. This certificate provides a foundation of study that includes fitness, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, and psychology.

The certificate will benefit those interested in or seeking advancement as personal fitness trainers, recreational therapists, physical therapy assistants and aides, health fitness instructors, group fitness instructors, and fitness managers. Moreover, the coursework provides a holistic approach to health, wellness, and fitness.

Program of Study

The certificate consists of 16 undergraduate credits. All certificate courses are offered 100% online. Students should be comfortable with the online learning format. All students must consult with an academic advisor and/or program chair to plan the appropriate course sequencing and selection. The courses may be completed within a baccalaureate program at Wilmington University.

Career Opportunities

Aligned with the University's mission, the Certificate of Health Promotion: Fitness provides students with targeted and specialized education to support professional advancement and meet the population’s need to become and stay fit. A qualified exercise trainer is necessary to provide quality physical activity education across the lifespan.

Certificate Competencies

In addition to the University’s undergraduate graduation competencies, students will be able to:

• Promote a holistic approach to the world of health, wellness, and fitness;

• Identify the benefits of nutrition, exercise, muscle strengthening, and strength conditioning to maintain a healthy body;

• Design an appropriate health and exercise plan to promote good health and improved feeling of well-being for a client.

General Requirements/ Pre-Requisites

The certificate is open to the following prospective students with an interest in Health Promotion: Fitness:

• High School graduate and/or;

• Associate Degree graduate and/or;

• Wilmington University undergraduate students in a degree-seeking program upon advisement from a program chair and/or an academic advisor.

Students must complete an undergraduate application for admission accompanied by a non-refundable admission fee.

Students are held to all prerequisite requirements. Therefore, some students may require more than 5 courses to complete this certificate.

Curriculum

Core Requirements (10 Credits)

HLT 322	Strength Training Essentials and Theory	3
HLT 326	Nutrition for Healthy Living	3
SCI 335	Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab)	4
OR
BIO 253	Anatomy and Physiology I (with Lab)	4

Electives (6 Credits)

Choose two (2) electives, depending on degree or interests, from the following:

BBM 102	Introduction to Business	3
HLT 321	Personal Wellness	3
HLT 324	Personal Training Essentials	3
	A ten (10) hour Professional Trainer Observation experience will be completed during this course. Students are required to obtain liability insurance prior to the start of the course. Information about the available insurance providers and the normal fee is located within the course syllabus.
PSY 306	Behavior Modification	3
PSY 451	Health Psychology	3