Health & Fitness Technician

Program Overview

The Health and Fitness Technician (HFT) program prepares students for work in the expanding health and fitness industry.

Students completing the first year curriculum will earn a certificate in Health & Fitness and are prepared for professional certification and employment. Students wishing to advance their education may continue with second year courses and earn the Associate in Applied Science Degree, AAS  degree in Health and Fitness. The HFT AAS articulates with the Bachelor in Applied Science - Applied Management  (BASAM), which further prepares Health & Fitness graduates for management positions in fitness-related workplaces.

First year courses leading to a certificate in Health & Fitness include Foundations of Personal Training, Anatomy and Physiology for HFT, Fitness Testing, Nutrition, Kinesiology, Principles of Strength Training, Principles of Cardiorespiratory Training, and others. Second year courses leading to the Health & Fitness AAS include Group Fitness Instructor Preparation, Principles of Exercise Science, Psychology, Biology, Introduction to Business, and others. Common job titles include Personal Trainer, Fitness Trainer, Fitness Specialist, Health Coach, and Group Fitness Instructor.

Degree and Certificate Options:

An Associate in Applied Science Degree, AAS  is awarded upon completion of a minimum of 90 credits of specified course work with a minimum 2.0 grade point average in each course plus a high school diploma or GED.

Health & Fitness Technician, Associate in Applied Science Planning Guide  

A Health & Fitness Technician Certificate is awarded upon completion of required courses with a minimum 2.0 GPA in each course plus a high school diploma or GED.

Program Map - Health & Fitness Technician Certificate  

Learning Outcomes:

General Education Learning Outcomes  

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Health & Fitness Technician program will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of program design and implementation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of program progression and modification.
• Demonstrate proficiency in client interviews and assessments.

Program Admissions:

Please apply at Enrollment Services . The admission and registration guidelines are listed in the catalog and on the College’s website at www.skagit.edu. Students may only enter the Health & Fitness Technician program at the beginning of Fall quarter.

Specialized Program Information:

Work-Based Learning

Students will integrate their classroom learning with work-based learning by participating in Cooperative Education (HFT 199 ) at a supervised work site. Department Chair approval is required.