Personal Trainer Degrees by Degree Program Level
A personal trainer works with clients to improve their fitness levels. Those seeking to become a personal trainer should pursue degrees in sports medicine, exercise science, kinesiology or physical education. Associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees in these areas are offered at many colleges and universities.
Personal Trainer Associate Degrees
The most common 2-year degree programs for aspiring personal trainers are associate's degrees in exercise science or in fitness and health. Upon completion of an associate's degree program, graduates may go on to work as personal trainers in gyms or other athletic associations or they may work as private trainers for individual clients. Graduates may also choose to go on to pursue a bachelor's degree in exercise science or a similar field of study.
Program Coursework
The curriculum of a 2-year degree program in exercise science consists mainly of introductory and fundamental courses in the following areas:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Fitness
- First aid
- Weight training
- Aerobics
- Athletic training
- Nutrition
Popular Career Options
Graduates of an associate's degree program in exercise science or fitness and health are qualified to work in a variety of positions, in addition to being a personal trainer. Other positions in this field might include:
- Aerobics instructor
- Coach
- Physical education teacher
- Corporate fitness consultant
- Youth sports coordinator
Personal Trainer Bachelor's Degrees
Students interested in personal training careers who are seeking a bachelor's degree will typically pursue this degree in the areas of exercise science, kinesiology or physical education. Personal trainers holding a bachelor's degree may specialize in weight loss programs, while others may work one-on-one with individual athletes or entire sports teams overseeing recommended physical routines. A personal trainer bachelor's degree program typically involves four years of coursework and practical training sessions that provide students with a firm background in human anatomy, wellness, nutrition, strength, physical fitness and more. Applicants to a personal training bachelor's degree program should have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Program Coursework
Courses focusing on exercise techniques, nutrition and health are most common in a 4-year degree program for personal trainers. Topics addressed in the typical curriculum of a bachelor's degree program include:
- Human anatomy
- Strength and conditioning
- Sports and fitness nutrition
- Theory of exercise
- Fitness and health analysis
- Weight management
- Biomechanics
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
Employment growth for fitness workers, including personal trainers, is expected to be 29% between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). This growth is due mainly to a continued increase in fitness awareness and participation, the BLS states. In 2008, fitness workers earned a median annual salary of $29,210 as reported by the BLS.
Personal Trainer Master's Degrees
While it is not necessary for personal trainers to earn graduate degrees, some master's degree programs in the field do exist. Graduate degree programs provide individuals with comprehensive knowledge of how the human body works and includes courses on human movement and functional anatomy. Students enrolled in a personal trainer master's degree program also learn how to design fitness programs and can go on to become athletic directors, physical education teachers and professional personal trainers.
Education Prerequisites
Interested students must typically hold a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, exercise science or a similar area before entering a master's degree program. Completion of undergraduate courses in physiology, anatomy, nutrition and fitness is recommended.
Program Coursework
- Exercise physiology
- Health program evaluation
- Physical activity for the aged
- Sport psychology
- Applied kinesiology
- Biostatistics
- Epidemiology
Continuing Education Information
Many employers require that personal trainers become certified. Personal trainer certification is offered by a number of nonprofit health and fitness organizations. These organizations include the American Council on Exercise (ACE), (www.acefitness.org), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), (www.nasm.org) and American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA), (www.afpafitness.com).
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
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Doctorate
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- PhD in Education - Sports Management
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Master
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- MEd in Athletic Coaching
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- MEd in Sports Management
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Non-Degree
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- Education Specialist in Sports Management
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must live within close proximity to school locations
- Must be graduated from high school by 2011
School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
- Florida (1 campus)
- Georgia (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New York (4)
- Texas (2)
Classroom-Based Programs
- Associate
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Non-Degree
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- Certificate in Medical Assistant
- Certificate in Medical Assisting Bilingual Version (English/Spanish) Medical Assistant
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
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Master
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- MS Sport Management: Certificate in International Sport Management
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AS in Health Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
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Bachelor
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- BS in Health Studies - General
- BS in Health Studies - Health Management
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
School locations:
- Online Learning
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Master
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- Master of Science in Education - Allied Health Teaching and Leadership
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- Master of Science - Nursing
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Bachelor
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- Bachelor of Science - Sport Management
- BS in Health Science
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- RN to BSN
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- California (1 campus)
- Colorado (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Texas (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Master
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- MS in Health Services Management
- Bachelor
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Non-Degree
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- Career Diploma - Home Health Aide (Certified)
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
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Master
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