ONLINE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE
Fitness Business Management

The Online Professional Certificate in Fitness Business Management is an innovative Web-based certificate (with an optional field internship course) designed to teach students how to manage a Personal Training Program and/or a Health-Fitness Department as a Strategic Business Unit (S.B.U.) in both commercial and non-commercial based health and fitness facilities in the United States and/or internationally.

The program was developed to establish an industry standard in fitness management education for allied health and fitness professionals, personal trainers, fitness managers, and entrepreneurs that wish to establish a successful business model and fitness operation. Specific learning topics include fitness management, marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, personnel management, customer service, and business administration concepts.

The certificate prepares students to implement successful business systems in the following settings: private and commercial health clubs, medically-based fitness facilities, community wellness centers, personal training studios, physical therapy clinics, YMCA’s, JCC’s, college/university centers, recreational settings, and corporate fitness centers.

A competitive advantage offered in the program is the optional field internship which enables students to practice fitness management concepts in a health and fitness setting.

This program is offered in partnership with IDEA Health & Fitness Association, Health Club Managers, Inc., and Personal Fitness Professional. IDEA has provided content/curriculum in the program; in addition, students receive a complimentary 6-month membership to the digital edition of IDEA Fitness Journal. Health Club Managers, a Health Club Staff/Management Training company, is providing graduating certificate students a preferred discount on their services, and Personal Fitness Professional is providing students with students a 3 year free subscription which includes 8 print issues per year, a bi-monthly e-newsletter, and access to their digital magazine.

Who Should Attend

The certificate program is designed for:

• Current managers that are wishing to implement successful fitness management systems.
• Current allied health and fitness professionals and personal trainers interested in establishing a fitness business or becoming fitness managers.
• Education directors of multi-site facilities or chains developing fitness professionals and fitness managers.
• Companies that require the certificate program as a professional development program for employees to achieve key business goals, career objectives, and skills to advance beyond entry-level positions. 

Workplace Advantages and Benefits

• On-going guidance, instruction, and interaction from instructors that hold either a master’s or Ph.D. degree in exercise science, biomechanics, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, nutrition or an exercise science-related degree.  Our instructors will support their students and become valuable resources and mentors well after they graduate.
• Optional Fitness Management Internship Course:  Students have three internship options. They may elect to intern at a partnered internship site, a facility of their choice located anywhere in the U.S. or internationally (with program coordinator/instructor approval), or at a facility a student may already be working.
• A professional certificate from an accredited institution.
• College courses provide CECs or CEUs for personal trainers and allied health/medical professionals seeking re-certification, re-licensure, or career advancement.
• Networking opportunities with industry experts.

Program Requirements

To earn the certificate you are required to complete all four core courses.  You may also elect to take the optional field internship course.  The four core courses are offered in a two-module format; each module consists of two courses that are offered simultaneously and maybe taken as the same time.  You are not required to take the courses in any order and you may register for individual courses if desired.  The two-module series and optional internship course is offered three times per year in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.  The program can be completed in as little as three months but you must complete the requirements within two years.

Award of Certificates:

• Professional Certificate in Fitness Management: complete all four core courses within a period of two years
• Complete and receive a passing grade of (C- or above) in all courses:  which includes quizzes, exams, written/research projects, and class assignments
• Certificates will be mailed to students upon successful completion of the program.