The Best Fitness and Personal Trainer Degree

The University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities is largely responsible for Minnesota’s medical device industry. Fun fact: they also helped invent the pacemaker! This university has a lot to offer: U of M is currently one of five universities in the country with: 

• A medical school
• A law school
• An engineering school
• A veterinary school
• An agricultural school

U of M’s Bachelor of Science in kinesiology is a comprehensive program that focuses on the physical, biological, behavioral, and social sciences related to physical activity. Major coursework in this program includes: 

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Exercise physiology
• Sports history and philosophy
• Sports and exercise psychology and sociology

While this fitness degree offers some online courses, the majority are in a traditional classroom setting. There are required prerequisites, including Psychology and Biology. The required credits in this program are 69 to 72, not counting general education requirements and electives. U of M is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Rutgers University’s official seal is printed on official documents, including graduate diplomas. This seal includes the year RU was established, 1766, and the university’s motto: “Sun of righteousness, shine upon the West also.” A leading national research university in New Jersey, RU is the eighth oldest academic institution in the United States. Nearly 71,000 students from all 50 states and over 125 countries attend RU.

RU’s Bachelor of Science in exercise science equips students for careers in a variety of fields, including: 

• Exercise physiology
• Biomechanics
• Sports medicine
• Exercise science

Students can choose to include the pre-physical therapy concentration in their program. Core classes include: 

• Kinesiology and Health
• Physics 1 and 2
• Exercise Science Statistics

The fitness degree includes 69-73 credit hours and includes an internship. Students can choose to add sports management as a minor to this program, which includes 18 credit hours. 

RU offers its students opportunities to encounter a wide range of populations, including youth, individuals with disabilities, and the aging population. Not only are fieldwork and internships available, but study abroad opportunities are also an option!

Uga, the University of Georgia’s recognizable English bulldog mascot, keeps students, faculty, alumni, and fans full of UGA spirit during sporting events in the NCAA I Division. 

As one of the largest public universities in the country, UGA is committed to providing students with immersive experiences where they learn by questioning, exploring, and doing. UGA’s 17 colleges and schools enroll more than 37,000 students each year.

UGA offers a Bachelor of Science in education in exercise and sports science. This nationally ranked personal training program combines coursework, research, and hands-on learning to prepare students for their career and academic goals. With this BSEd, students can specialize in one of the following areas:

• Pre-physical therapy
• Pre-physician assistant
• Pre-occupational therapy
• Pre-medicine
• Strength, conditioning, or fitness
• Pre-graduate study in exercise physiology, biomechanics, or exercise and sport psychology

The fitness degree includes: 

• 35 credit hours of core exercise science courses
• Eight hours in research
• Internships
• Service-learning opportunities
• 19 hours of electives in your concentration area

Most classes take place at the Ramsey Center on the Athens campus. This high-demand program accepts a limited number of students each year. Acceptance criteria depends on the student’s grades in prerequisite classes as well as essays of purpose.

The University of South Florida features one of the coolest student centers in the nation: The Phyllis P. Marshall Student Center is open to the public and includes: 

• A food court
• A 1,200 seat ballroom
• Meeting spaces
• Student lounges

USF is located in the lively and distinct Tampa Bay region with campuses in Tampa, Sarasota-Manatee, and Petersburg. More than 50,000 students attend UCF, earning undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.

USF’s bachelor’s in exercise science is a two-year full-time degree where students are assigned a cohort to work with throughout their time in the program. This fitness degree prepares students for careers in: 

• Strength and fitness training
• Corporate and community-based fitness
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Admission into physical therapy school

Required courses include: 

• Stress, Health, and Disease
• Exercise Psychology
• Science of Weight Management

As this is a traditional classroom program, students must be available for classes 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday each semester. This physical fitness degree accepts a limited number of students—36 are admitted to the program each fall semester.

What do an old well, a grand sundial, and a bell tower have in common? They are all historical icons from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university. Opened since 1795, UNC Chapel Hill has evolved over the years to what it is today: the flagship university of the UNC system with: 

• 14 colleges
• 250 degree programs
• Nearly 30,000 students

UNC Chapel Hill offers a Bachelor of Arts in exercise and sport science with three special concentrations: 

• Athletic training
• Fitness professional
• Sports administration

The goal of this physical fitness degree is to prepare students to achieve leadership roles in the fitness and research industry. While classroom lectures make up some of this program, the majority of courses use applied learning, where students learn by doing.

This program takes five semesters to complete. Required courses include: 

• Fitness Management
• Human Physiology
• Sport Nutrition

Students have the opportunity to research with the program’s faculty members and receive credits for their degree. Interested applicants should apply to UNC Chapel Hill and to the exercise science undergraduate program.

Known as the campus “with many sides,” the University of Illinois in Chicago spreads across 244 acres and each “side” serves as an important landmark. The east and south sides of UIC are home to undergraduate housing and nine out of 16 of the colleges. The west side of the campus is where you will find: 

• The health sciences college
• The hospital
• The library
• The fitness center
• The student center 

UIC features a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology, with two concentrations students can choose from: exercise science and health promotion or movement science. Both courses of study require: 

• 42 credit hours in Kinesiology common core classes
• 35-36 credit hours in concentration courses
• 16-17 hours of electives

Students also have the option to minor in nutrition.

Required courses for this program include: 

• Techniques and Principles of Resistance Training
• Applied Musculoskeletal Anatomy
• Biomechanics

Kinesiology courses are taught by nationally and globally recognized faculty who excel in teaching and research. Hands-on learning is emphasized in this program through independent study and internships. The senior research seminar and project serves as the capstone to students who have earned a GPA of 3.25 in the physical fitness program.

George Mason University, Virginia’s largest public university, is notorious for the vast amount of research they conduct each year. In 2018, there were $149 million sponsored research expenditures. GMU’s motto, “Freedom and Learning,” rings true in all that they do and stand for. Currently, more than 37,000 students make up the diverse learning environment at this prestigious academic institution.

GMU offers a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology that prepares students for careers in: 

• Clinical exercise
• Corporate fitness
• Exercise and sport psychology
• Personal training 
• Coaching

This intensive physical fitness program also assists students with the knowledge and skills they need to pursue post-graduate studies in kinesiology or other medical fields.

Students will complete three separate internships, totaling 700 hours, to apply the skills they learned in the coursework of this program. 

This fitness degree also prepares students to achieve national certifications, such as those offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Students are required to maintain a 2.5 GPA throughout their time in this program.

The University of Texas at Arlington holds numerous national awards including: 

• #1 Choice for Veterans and their Families from Military Times 2020
•  #3 Fastest-Growing Doctoral Public Institution from The Chronicles of Higher Education Almanac, 2019
• #41 in the Best Online Accredited College in the Country by Study.com

Offering more than 180 degree programs and serving more than 60,000 students each year, it’s no surprise that UT Arlington is one of the most prestigious universities in the nation.

UT Arlington’s Department of Kinesiology offers two undergraduate programs in this field: a Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology, and a Bachelor of Science in exercise science. The Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology at UT Arlington is for individuals who want to teach and/or coach in the education system. Two degree plan options are available within this program: the physical education with all-level teacher certification (PETE) and the sports leadership & management (SLAM).

The Bachelor of Science in exercise science is for students who are interested in careers related to: 

• Therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Fitness
• Research
• Personal training

This program features three concentrations:

• Clinical and applied physiology (CAP)
• Health, fitness, and wellness (HFW)
• Motor and rehabilitation sciences (MRS)

Both physical fitness programs include general core classes, program required classes, and electives, totaling 120 hours.

Older universities hold so much history and so many traditions, and the University of Iowa in Iowa City is no exception. Founded in 1847 and the state’s oldest academic institution, UI serves nearly 33,000 students each semester through its many degree programs. Iowa City is consistently voted as one of the best places to live in the nation because of its “small town meets big city” feel.

UI’s Bachelor of Arts in health and human physiology includes an optional minor in physical activity and nutrition science and also three concentrations: 

• Exercise science
• Health promotion
• Health studies

The department also offers a Bachelor of Science in human physiology for those who intend to pursue graduate studies in the health sciences.  

Students in either the BA or BS degree and all concentrations are required to take: 

• Fundamentals of Human Physiology
• Nutrition and Health
• Physical Activity and Health

Students in this physical fitness program are also eligible for study abroad programs and undergraduate research experiences. Applicants must meet the Regent Admission Index (RAI) score of 245 or higher (Iowa residents) or 255 or higher (out of state residents).

The University of Louisville in Kentucky is home to “The Thinker,” the first large-scale bronze cast statue sculpted by Auguste Rodin in 1903, even though the origins date back to 1880. Many art historians consider “The Thinker” to be the most famous statue in the world, and UofL claims the most original. UofL is nationally known as a university that promotes and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Bachelor of Science in health and human performance at UofL gives students the skills and knowledge they need to pursue careers in health and physical education. This bachelor’s degree program offers three tracks for students to choose from: 

• Exercise science
• Youth sport development
• Health and physical education

Each track includes 64 credit hours along with general core requirements.

Throughout the bachelor’s degree, students are required to take a minimum of 50 hours of 300-level courses and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.25. Students must complete a capstone project during the last semester of the program. Applicants need at least a 2.5 GPA from previous academic coursework and an ACT score at or above the national mean of 21.

Part of the appeal of Kent State University is that it is nestled in the quaint, yet vibrant college town of Kent, Ohio. Whether you’re looking for a delicious lunch, live music, a comedy show, or some shopping, this town has everything. KSU is large enough to offer nearly 300 degree programs, but small enough to give each student the personalized attention they deserve.

KSU’s Bachelor of Science in exercise science includes four concentrations: 

• Exercise physiology
• Exercise specialist
• Pre-physical/occupational therapy/podiatric medicine
• Strength and conditioning 

The exercise physiology and pre-medicine tracks are for students who want to continue their studies in graduate school. The exercise specialist track prepares students for the clinical setting in health and wellness.

All four tracks include a minimum of 43 credit hours in the specific concentration, along with a three-credit-hour internship class. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate. 

Upon graduation, students can take the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist exam. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences.

Nestled in the scenic mountains of Boone, North Carolina is Appalachian State University, an academic institute known for its commitment to creativity, innovation, and research. 

ASU is nationally recognized as a Best College according to five notable US publications: 

• US News & World Report
• The Princeton Review
• MONEY
• Forbes
• Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazines.

ASU’s Bachelor of Science in exercise science is for students who want a flexible career path with a variety of options in the exercise science industry. ASU also offers three BS exercise science programs in” 

• Clinical exercise physiology
• Strength and conditioning
• Pre-professional

Minors are not required, but some students choose minors in a science-related field. 

This bachelor’s degree program requires: 

• 29 credit hours in exercise science core classes
• 15-18 credit hours in interdisciplinary studies
• 9-12 credit hours of electives
• Three hours of field experience

ASU Department of Health and Exercise Science faculty are nationally and internationally known researchers, including Dr. Scott Collier, whose research focuses on the effects of exercise on cardiovascular health. Students have the opportunity to research alongside their professors and present findings at national conferences.

Since 1922, one of the biggest annual winter celebrations in the nation, the Winter Carnival, has taken place at Michigan Technological University. This fun-filled wintery event is known for its huge snow statues placed around campus, human ice bowling, and even a crowned winter carnival queen. Michigan Tech believes that the “Husky Spirit” equals “curiosity and grit,” which is how they approach everything they do.

MTU’s Bachelor of Science in sports and fitness management is known as a “scientific spin on a practical degree”. Students will gain a strong knowledge of both business and science disciplines. Diverse coursework includes topics in: 

• Kinesiology
• Accounting
• Management
• Marketing
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics

Courses take place in cutting-edge MTU facilities, including the Exercise Science Teaching Laboratory and Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory. While earning this bachelor’s degree, students can earn certificates that enhance their employability as personal trainers and similar careers. Graduates of this program also qualify for national personal training and strength and conditioning specialist exams.

Central Connecticut State University, the largest university in Connecticut, is also the state’s oldest academic institution. 

Founded in 1849 as a teacher-training school, CCSU has evolved over the years into what it is today: a distinguished university that offers its diverse student body hands-on, transformative educational experiences that span far beyond the classroom.

Through academic, research, and hands-on learning experiences, CCSU’s Bachelor of Science in exercise science prepares students for careers in the fitness industry. This bachelor’s degree program entails 68 credit hours of major courses, along with six credit hours in the skill courses, Training for Sport Performance, and Leadership in Exercise and Wellness.

Students in this program are eligible to obtain the exercise physiology certification (EP-C) by the ACSM, as well as the certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) by the NSC. This exercise program also serves as a pathway for graduate school entry into fields like: 

• Nursing
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy

This bachelor’s degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs.

Why do more than 69,000 students choose the University of Central Florida in sunny Orlando to pursue their educational goals? As one of the largest universities in the nation, UCF has more than 220 degree programs. Health sciences is the second top major at UCF, so it’s no surprise that they offer some great health science programs, including a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology.

UCF’s College of Health Professions and Sciences’ BS in kinesiology features two track options: exercise and sport physiology and sport and athletic coaching. The exercise and sport physiology track was designed for students interested in pursuing careers in: 

• Health promotion
• Sport science
• Personal training 
• Medicine
• Wellness
• Allied health

The sport and athletic coaching track is for students who want to coach at all levels of sports and competitions.

Both exercise programs entail core requirements, electives, basic education requirements, and a three-hour capstone to be completed in the final semester of the bachelor’s degree. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA in this program, or they cannot complete the program.  Applicants must complete the General Education Requirements before being admitted to this program.

Research-based. Teaching-focused. Student-centered. Those are words to describe the vibrant Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a prestigious academic institution in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Serving more than 12,000 students and offering a myriad of undergraduate and graduate degrees, IUP is also one of the only universities in Pennsylvania to offer Doctor of Philosophy programs. IUP ranks in the top 20 % for student engagement, interaction, and opportunities according to the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings.

IUP’s Bachelor of Science in physical education and sport – exercise science combines classroom knowledge with hands-on coursework to prepare students for careers in the health and fitness industry. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate programs in the medical field. In 2008, this program was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education and was only the ninth program nationwide to receive this accreditation.

Students in this program have access to state-of-the-art health and fitness equipment, including a strength lab and an underwater weighing tank. Students have the choice of choosing more than 300 affiliated internship opportunities across eleven states, including the Human Motion Institute and the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

Imagine living in a place where you have the beach, the city, and the great outdoors all in one. That’s what you experience if you go to the University of Minnesota at Duluth. Built on core values of innovation, integrity, and inclusiveness, UMD offers its students supportive learning experiences with all the resources of the larger University of Minnesota systems.  

UMD’s College of Education and Human Service Professions offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in exercise science with a required concentration in either health fitness or sport science. Both concentrations require 37 credit hours in ESAT courses. Students are expected to participate in research during this program. Most upper-level classes include a graded laboratory component.

Required courses for both concentrations include Motor Learning and Development, Exercise Adherence, and Human Biomechanics. A strong ability in math, science, and critical thinking are essential to succeed in this program. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 throughout the program in order to graduate.

If you’re out and about around Muncie, Indiana, and you hear a bunch of people making “chirp” sounds while holding their index finger and thumb in a ring, you are probably in Ball State Cardinal Country! This is a place where students are treated as intellectual partners from day one. It’s no wonder BSU has been named one of the Best Universities in the Midwest for 15 years by The Princeton Review.

Students have the option of earning a Bachelor of Arts or Science in exercise science at BSU. Four concentrations are available: basic and applied science, health and fitness, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy. Students in the basic and applied science track will be able to seek careers in research and the medical field. Those in the health and fitness track will be able to pursue jobs in the fitness and wellness industry.

This program fosters hands-on learning and requires 15-18 credit hours of classes with a lab component. The program includes a 90-hour practicum for students to explore potential careers, gaining practical experience in and outside of the classroom. The 12-credit hour internship is required during the last semester.

The lower the student-to-faculty ratio, the more specialized attention each student receives. The national average for the college student to faculty ratio is 18:1, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Western Illinois University’s ratio is 13:1, which is pretty impressive! Located in Macomb, Illinois, WIU provides an outstanding variety of undergraduate, graduate, integrated, pre-professional, and certificate programs to its students.

A Bachelor’s in Exercise Science with a minor in scuba diving? That degree program is offered at WIU! Exercise science students enjoy the state-of-the-art facility that includes a gym, a pool, a fitness/weight room, a dance studio, athletic training facilities, and laboratories for research. Another perk of WIU is that students are given opportunities to research with exercise science faculty, attend conferences, and gain leadership skills.

Students can declare one of four minors: coaching, nutrition, sports health and wellness, and yes, scuba diving! You will be learning from faculty members who hold nationally prestigious certificates through the ACSM, NSCA, and the NASM. This program is nationally recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Graduates from this program have been offered jobs at Velocity Sports, Life Time Fitness, Life Fitness, Kraft, and DOT Foods.

Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is a leading research school in the Northwest, providing top-notch education to nearly 12,000 enrolled students. U of I believes in transforming lives through engaged learning and self-reflection, which is evident in the programs, clubs, organizations, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences they offer.  

U of I’s Bachelor of Science in exercise, sport, and health sciences teaches students how exercise and healthy eating improves wellness and reduces chronic diseases, disabilities, and other health issues. Students can choose from one of five concentrations:

• Community health education and promotion
• Fitness, health, and human performance
• Physical education teacher certification
• Pre-athletic training
• Pre-physical therapy

Students in this program gain valuable hands-on experience through working in the Exercise Physiology Lab, the Biomechanics Lab, and participating in hands-on workshops and internships. In addition, U of I offers a global health and community field experience course in Nicaragua over the summer. All faculty in this program hold terminal degrees in the fields of health and fitness.

In 2017, West Chester, Pennsylvania, was voted the “Greatest Main Street in the USA”  and the “Best College Town to Live in After Graduation.” This historic town is an unusual mixture of scenic nature and a bustling city, which provides plenty to do for students who attend West Chester University. This public academic institution offers more than 180 programs and over 300 student clubs and organizations.

WCU’s Bachelor of Science in exercise science includes a concentration in exercise science specialist. Graduates are eligible to design and implement fitness programs in settings such as hospitals, clinics, corporations, or community centers. They are also able to become personal trainers or strength and conditioning coaches.

During a student’s junior year, they have the option of applying for the accelerated BS in exercise science program, which includes master level classes that can be substituted for the undergraduate program and also used towards a Master of Science in exercise and sport science. Some of these courses include Advanced Motor Learning, Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Group Dynamics in Sport and Exercise.

California State University Fullerton is the largest campus in the CSU system, serving nearly 40,000 students each semester. CSUF holds many national awards, including No. 3 in “Top Public School” from US News & World Report, the top 3% of “Best Colleges for Your Money” from Money, and among the top schools for “Best Value” from Forbes.

At CSUF, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and choose from eight concentrations, which is also the highest amount of concentrations of any kinesiology department in the CSU system:

• Clinical movement science
• Exercise science
• Gerokinesiology
• Recreation, fitness, and health promotion
• Sport studies
• Strength and conditioning
• Teacher education
• General studies

Students must complete nine units of prerequisite courses, nine units of foundation courses, 18 units of core courses, three units of upper-division writing requirements, and 20 units of concentration hours in order to complete the degree.  Students can declare a concentration after completing 85 units of the program, which is generally during their junior year.

Located on 2,660 acres of woodland that overlooks the Mississippi River is Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, a public educational institution and home to more than 13,000 students. SIUE holds several national awards including, “Best Bang for the Buck” from Washington Monthly and “Safest College Town” by 2019 Safest College Towns list.

The Bachelor of Exercise Science at SIUE is one of only 5% of programs to have earned accreditation by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Not only does this program have a 98 percent retention rate, it also has a graduate placement rate of 82 percent.  

SIUE’s exercise science program combines science and exercise coursework with hands-on learning experiences to ensure that the students are well-equipped to excel in their future careers in the health and fitness field. Students may choose to pursue a minor in exercise and sport psychology, which entails 18 credit hours of specific courses. To apply for this program, students must have at least a 2.75 GPA in either high school or college coursework.

From a rented space above a hardware store in downtown Denton, Texas in 1890 to the diverse community of more than 39,000 “dreamers and doers” of today, the University of North Texas started humble, but has come a long way. One of the nation’s largest universities, UNT values innovation and imagination, and these values seep through every program and opportunity offered.

UNT offers a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology with a concentration in fitness leadership. The program consists of a combination of pre-theory core classes, theory core classes, required classes, electives, and a major capstone course. Required courses include Health Promotion in the Corporate Setting, Fundamentals of Sport Nutrition, and Behavioral Change Strategies in Health Promotion.

Faculty members in the Department of Kinesiology have been recognized for their research and teaching by the Society of Health and Physical Educators, and the American College of Sport Medicine. In this program, students must maintain a 2.75 GPA in kinesiology courses and a 2.0 in other UNT courses in order to graduate with this degree. A kinesiology course may be repeated one time in order to improve the grade to a C or better, if needed.