Degrees & Certificates
Education Pathways at Western
At Western, we offer two distinct educational pathways to cater to the diverse goals of our students. Whether you're looking to begin your career in fitness or planning to transfer to a four-year institution for advanced studies in Exercise Science, we have a pathway designed to meet your needs.
1. Certificate of Fitness Leadership
The Certificate of Fitness Leadership is designed for students aiming to pursue a career as a Personal Trainer and/or Group Fitness Instructor. This program can be completed in just one year, providing students with the essential knowledge and practical skills to excel in the fitness industry. Graduates of this program are fully prepared to sit for the nationally recognized ACE Personal Trainer and/or ACE Group Fitness certifications, enhancing their employability and career readiness.
2. Associate of Exercise Science
The Associate of Exercise Science is ideal for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to continue their education in Exercise Science or a related field. This program is specifically tailored for those pursuing advanced degrees and careers in areas such as Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Chiropractic, Physical Education/Coaching, and Exercise Physiology.
Upon completing the Associate of Exercise Science, students transfer academically ahead of their peers, equipped with a solid foundation in the field. Many also gain valuable hands-on experience by serving as Teaching Assistants (TAs) for Exercise Physiology courses or by being hired as personal trainers or group fitness instructors at the Campus Student Recreation facilities, further enhancing their skills and credentials.
This program will provide the foundation to transfer to various four-year programs and be successful in exercise science and related fields. For students who already have a four-year degree, this two-year program provides an area of concentration in exercise science that enhances your marketability in various fitness and wellness occupations and prepares you to take national fitness certification exams. All KIN and HLED courses required for this program must be passed with a grade of C or better.
AS Exercise Science Semester by Semester Program Map
| Degree Requirements | ||
| Freshman Year - Fall Semester | ||
| BIOL 1010 | GENERAL BIOLOGY | 4 |
| CMAP 1750 |
EXCEL BASICS | 1 |
| KIN 1009 | APPLIED FITNESS | 3 |
| KIN 1130 | TEACHING INDIVIDUAL/GROUP FITNESS | 3 |
| ENGL 1010 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| KIN 1470 | EXERCISE SCIENCE PRACTICUM I | .5 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: | 14.5 | |
| Freshman Year - Spring Semester | ||
| KIN 1110 | EXPLORING MINDBODY MOVEMENT | 3 |
|
HLED 1141 or HLED 1003 |
NUTRITION WELLNESS |
3 |
| MATH 1400 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA | 3 |
| PSYC 1000 |
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| KIN 1471 | EXERCISE SCIENCE PRACTICUM II | .5 |
| KIN 2230 |
SPORTS AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY |
3 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: | 15.5 | |
| Sophomore Year - Fall Semester | ||
| KIN 2130 | FUNDAMENTALS OF EXERCISE SCIENCE | 4 |
| BIOL 2010 | HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I | 4 |
| CHEM 1020 OR CHEM 1000* |
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I OR INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY | 4 |
| **** |
HUMAN SOCIETIES AND THE INDIVIDUAL | 3 |
| KIN 2470 | EXERCISE SCIENCE PRACTICUM III | .5 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: | 15.5 | |
| Sophomore Year - Spring Semester | ||
| BIOL 2015 | HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II | 4 |
| PHYS 1110 OR STAT 2050 | GENERAL PHYSICS OR STATISTICS |
3 |
| COMM 1030 OR COMM 2010 |
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION OR INTRO TO SPEECH | 3 |
| KIN 2235 |
APPLIED EXERCISE SCIENCE |
4 |
| KIN 2135 OR HLTK 1200 |
ACE PERSONAL TRAINER CERTIFICATIONS OR MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY |
1 |
| KIN 2471 | EXERCISE SCIENCE PRACTICUM IV | .5 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: | 15.5 | |
|
In addition to ENGL 1010, students may be required to also take ENGL 1011 (2 credits) due to placement, adding 2 additional credits to their graduation total. CHEM 1020 is a requirement for most transfer institutions. Current CPR/First Aid Certification required to take ACE Certification Exams. PHYS 1110 General Physics and STAT 2050 Statistics are also requirements at most transfer institutions. |
||
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: | 60 | |
In this program students will learn the necessary skills to become a certified fitness leader and to take the national certification exams, such as those offered by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). The ACE exam is available through Western's Testing centers as well as their own online Testing software allowing you to complete the exam anywhere. This is an applied and participatory program where students will be applying the knowledge they learn in the classroom through classes, community projects and workplace fitness testing.
Certificate Requirements |
||
| KIN 1130 | TEACHING INDIVIDUAL/GROUP FITNESS | 3 |
| KIN 1009 |
APPLIED FITNESS |
3 |
| KIN 2130 |
FUNDAMENTALS OF EXERCISE SCIENCE |
4 |
| HLED 1003 | WELLNESS | 3 |
| HLED 1141 | NUTRITION | 3 |
| KIN 1470 AND KIN 1471 |
EXERCISE SCIENCE PRACTICUM I AND EXERCISE SCIENCE PRACTICUM II |
.5-1 |
| KIN 2235 |
APPLIED EXERCISE SCIENCE | 4 |
| KIN 2135 |
PERSONAL TRAINER EDUCATION |
1 |
| MKT 2100 OR BADM 2195 |
BUSINESS COURSE | 3 |
| COMM 1030 OR COMM 1020 |
COMMUNICATION | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: | 27-28 | |