Non-Degreed Trainer going back to School? - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

I'm probably in the minority here. But I've been a trainer for 13 years and don't have a degree in anything fitness related.

I am looking into Post-Baccalaureate studies in Exercise Science. Not only to help my knowledge but the trend towards licensing personal trainers is pretty much going to demand that I have an official degree to get Licensed and to practice.

Here is the course work for a B.S. in Exercise Science:
Required Courses

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Exercise Science Core Courses - Credits: 21

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ERS 100 - Introduction to Exercise Science: Careers and Content Credits: 3
ERS 264 - Applied Anatomy Credits: 3
ERS 273 - Measurement and Statistical Application in Exercise Science Credits: 3
ERS 351 - Biomechanics Credits: 3
ERS 375 - Exercise Physiology Credits: 3
ERS 376 - Exercise Leadership: Group Fitness Credits: 3
ERS 377 - Exercise Leadership: Strength Fitness Credits: 3
Specialization Area Courses - Credits: 36

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ERS 321 - Care and Prevention of Injuries of the Physically Active Credits: 3
ERS 450 - Exercise Science Internship Credits: 12
ERS 461 - Wellness Promotion and Programming Credits: 3
ERS 474 - Physical Fitness Assessment and Instrumentation Credits: 3
ERS 475 - Clinical Exercise Physiology Credits: 3
ERS 484 - Exercise Prescription Credits: 3
ERS 486 - Exercise Science: Special Populations and Conditions Credits: 3
ERS 493 - Exercise Science: Senior Synthesis Credits: 3
HSAF 424 - Nutrition and Exercise Credits: 3
College/Department Requirements (Liberal Studies) - Credits: 15

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BIOL 216 - Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 3
BIOL 217 - Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 3
HSAF 314 - Nutrition and Health Credits: 3
MATH 152 - Elementary Statistics I Credits: 3
PHYS 201 - Elements of Physics I/ Lab Credits: 4

Has anyone followed this path? (Being certified first then going back to school?)

If so can I expect some of this course work to be eliminated?

I've been in the corporate fitness industry for 10 years and have been managing corporate fitness centers for 8 of those 10 years. Will that count for anything?

Like to hear some thoughts.

Thanks,

Dave

[Christina]

Dave,

Why not skip the BS and go for a master's? You already have a bachelor's and master's in another field. The school may require you take a few undergrad science courses but it would be worth it in order to pursue a graduate degree. Something to think about.

Christina

[kelli m]

I agree with Christina. Don't step backward or even laterally,step forward.

A strong GRE score will put you in a better position when negotiating which classes you can get credit for or even test out of.

When I went back to work on a MS in ex. sc, I was already certified as a GFI and PT. My undergraduate majors were Biology/Chemistry with minors in math and physics. Because of the strong science background(and work experience,of course) I was able to get out of several prereq classes in the ex. sc program. Some dept. heads are jerks though and you never can predict how they will react to certain requests.

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

I guess I thought I might have to have my B.S. in Exercise Science or Physical Ed to go for a Masters.

I'll double check!

Thanks ladies!

Dave

[Christina]

Yes, Dave, definitely look into it because you most likely will only need to take a few prereq. courses in order to get into a Master's program.

By the way, Kelli, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions about a master's program several weeks back. Around that time the forum went down for a week due to server issues and I didn't get the chance to thank you. Don't you have your PhD? For some reason I'm thinking you were working on it or already had it. Maybe I'm wrong. (?)

Christina

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

Thanks Kelli and Christina for your help. I've decided that I'm going to try for a Masters in Exercise Science.

A little disappointed though as a college around me that has an awesome Exercise Science undergrad program only offers a masters in Sports Management. (Slippery Rock University - www.sru.edu)

Any thoughts on an on-line Masters in Exercise Science? I'm thinking about this one:

http://www.universities.com/Distance...on_252536.html

The irony here is that I remember visiting University of California, Pennsylvania when I was deciding on colleges out of high school, circa 1987! LOL

[pookie]

I don't know anything specific about the program at California U of PA, but I was looking around on the NASM site the other day and the program is offered through them. I'm not sure how it works, but you might want to look into it. I think you also get certified through NASM while you're doing the masters, if you aren't already.