Exercise Science: Health, Fitness, and Sports

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Exercise Science: Health, Fitness, and Sports Performance prepares students for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) personal trainer certifications. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment in positions such as personal training within health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, and public and private recreation facilities. The curriculum includes the foundational courses required for the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Personal Training coupled with advanced hands-on courses required for the CCL in Personal Training: Advanced that foster the development of critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills important for developing, implementing and leading exercise programs. This curriculum also provides a good foundation for transfer to a four-year bachelor program. Students who complete this AAS also qualify for the CCL in Personal Training and Personal Training: Advanced. An Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Exercise Science is also available for students interested in continuing their studies in this field.

What You'll Learn

Apply a fundamental understanding of the relevant scientific concepts of human anatomy and physiology, biomechanics and psychology.
Locate and evaluate relevant scholarly literature.
Conduct advanced evidence-based assessments of health and human movement.
Design evidence-based physical activity programs tailored to client goals and needs.
Implement evidence-based physical activity programs tailored to client goals and needs.
Apply theories of motivation and behavior change to develop and implement basic strategies for improving exercise adoption and adherence.
Adapt instructional techniques to ensure client safety and goal attainment.
Apply industry standards of care to mitigate risk and ensure the safety of clients.
Communicate through a variety of written and spoken modalities within diverse contexts.
Demonstrate industry-accepted professional, ethical, and business standards.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

$47,070 Show expanded career information for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
or	or		OR Current CPR/AED		0–0.5
			Critical course Gateway course		3
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: or permission of Instructor.			3
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: or permission of Instructor. Prior completion of or concurrent enrollment in is recommended.			1
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: or permission of Instructor.			3
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: or permission of Instructor.			3
or	or				1
RE	Restricted Electives				1
or	or				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Instructor.			2
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( and ) or permission of Instructor.			3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( and ) or permission of Instructor.			3
or	or			None or SG in combo w/ FON241LL	3
or	or		Critical course OR Higher level course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA or MA	3–6
			, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , or		1

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher or eligibility for . One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	OR One (1) year of high school biology	SQ	0–4
		Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in or ) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in or or or or or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
or or or	or or or	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or SB or L or SB	3
			Critical course	SB	3
				SB	3
or ( and ) or or ( and ) or ( and ) or ( and )	or ( and ) or or ( and ) or ( and ) or ( and )	Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. and Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. or Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. and Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. and Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. and Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division.			3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
or	or	No requisites or Prerequisites: C or better in (, or , or , or , or 1 yr of high school biology) and (, or , or higher, or eligibility for ). or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.	SQ or SG	4
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Instructor. recommended.	L	3
			C, G	3
			HU	3

Restricted Electives

Complete one (1) credit from one of the following course options not already selected in the Required Courses area. Choose a course that best aligns with your academic and professional goals. Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor as needed.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
					1
					1
					1
					1
					1

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
			Critical course Gateway course		3
or	or				1
or	or				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: or permission of Instructor.			3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or		OR Current CPR/AED		0–0.5
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: or permission of Instructor. Prior completion of or concurrent enrollment in is recommended.			1
or	or			None or SG in combo w/ FON241LL	3
or	or		Critical course OR Higher level course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA or MA	3–6

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: or permission of Instructor.	3
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: or permission of Instructor.	3
RE	Restricted Electives		1

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in or ) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in or or or or or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Instructor.			2
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( and ) or permission of Instructor.			3
	, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , or		1

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( and ) or permission of Instructor.			3
or ( and ) or or ( and ) or ( and ) or ( and )	or ( and ) or or ( and ) or ( and ) or ( and )	Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. and Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. or Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. and Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. and Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. and Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division.			3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or or or	or or or	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or SB or L or SB	3
			Critical course	SB	3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Instructor. recommended.		L	3
				C, G	3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher or eligibility for . One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	OR One (1) year of high school biology	SQ	0–4
		HU	3
		SB	3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	No requisites or Prerequisites: C or better in (, or , or , or , or 1 yr of high school biology) and (, or , or higher, or eligibility for ). or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		SQ or SG	4

Restricted Electives

Complete one (1) credit from one of the following course options not already selected in the Required Courses area. Choose a course that best aligns with your academic and professional goals. Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor as needed.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
					1
					1
					1
					1
					1

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

C = Cultural Diversity in the US
FYC = First Year Composition
G = Global Awareness
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry

MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

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