FAQs: Fitness Professional
I) General Fitness Professional Program Questions
- What matters in the fitness profession/industry:
- college credential such as the Cañada College program
- experience
- national certification (ACE, NASM. ACSM)
All of the above mentioned skills/knowledge matter in the fitness industry. For example,
if you have college credentials at Cañada College you will learn about anatomy, physiology,
and exercise prescription. You will also have an opportunity to apply the gained knowledge
with an internship program around the bay area which will give you experience. Cañada
College has partnered up with some many fitness centers to offer sites for internships
but you are welcome to find your own site, too.
It is recommendable to obtain a national certification. Cañada College offers courses
that will prepare you for some of the national certifications but does not automatically
give you a National Certification. You can gain all of the three above mentioned skills
by taking classes at Cañada College and get valued and pursued by the fitness managers.
The more certifications/knowledge/people skills/fitness/nutrition/health degrees you
have the more you will be pursued.
- What is difference between the Certificate of Achievement vs. Associate in Science as a credential in the real world?
Salary, Credibility and Knowledge! If you have a degree you will be valued and paid a little more.
- If I already hold a BA, should I pursue the Certificate of Achievement?
It depends. If you already have a BA probably you should go for an AS Fitness Professional Degree. Some courses that you have already taken might be transferable so it might be even better to go for the degree. Please talk to a counselor regarding transferring coursers. Phone number: 650.306.3452
- General advice on getting started?
If you would like to start the Fitness Professional Program it is highly recommendable to start with the Anatomy/ Physiology courses FIRST. Also KINE 250: Personal Trainer: Anatomy and Physiology is offered only in the FALL. That course is a prerequisite for other courses the program so plan accordingly!
II) Integration of Fitness with Diet/Nutrition:
- What are your thoughts/advice on combining the learning of both?
Fifty or more % of the results in the fitness industry is based on diet. It is great to pursue a degree/knowledge in the Nutrition Area. You will be valued more!
- Relevance to and integration into fitness area? What to look for in a diet/nutrition program?
The best way is to go for a registered dietitian where you will be able to prescribe the diet. However, that is a full 4-year degree program and may take up some of your time. If you want to go the shorter route, take some programs like “Nutrition Assistant Program” where you won’t be able to prescribe diet but you would be able to gain valuable and applicable amount of knowledge, which will be a great contribution to your fitness professional certification.
III) Completing the program - Academic Year 2012-2013
- For the Canada Certificate of Achievement, how realistic is it to complete in 2 semesters?
Very Realistic! Many students can complete a Certificate IF they do not have a job and focus on this program full-time. If a student has a job, probably it will take more than 2 semesters.
- What is the total course unit for a full-time student?
12 or more units
- Things to consider when planning the course sequences?
FALL: KINE 250, KINE 245, (good to enroll in this course first!)
SPRING: KINE 251, KINE 308
Internship: Internship course should be taken after completing at least 6 units of
the fitness/kinesiology courses.
- Any recommended resources?
ideafit.com
acsm.org
nasm.org
- I cannot afford my studies. Are there any scholarships?
YES! If you are full time student you should be able to apply for some scholarship. Look for Barbara McCarthy or Vera Quijano Scholarships.
http://www.canadacollege.edu/financialaid/scholarship.php
If you have any additional questions, please contact
Ana Miladinova 650.306.3147 or email: miladinovaa@smccd.edu