Degrees, Majors, and Certificates
Fitness Specialist
The undergraduate degree program focuses on the practical preparation and certification of a fitness and wellness professional who is qualified to work in a variety of health and fitness venues. The curriculum is based on guidelines and standards developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Students receive a comprehensive theoretical background and practical experience in the areas of fitness assessment, exercise prescription and leadership, resistance training movement analysis, nutrition concepts, and behavior change, to name a few.
Special Opportunities
The IU Fitness Specialist Program has the distinction of being endorsed by the ACSM (in May 2004) as having fulfilled the educational requirements established by the Committee on Certification and Registry Boards. This means that the current curriculum covers the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of an ACSM Health and Fitness Instructor. This certification, which can only be taken by those individuals with a four-year degree in an allied health field, is the culminating experience for this degree program.
In addition, students are expected to complete a 200-hour internship and a 50-hour practicum during their matriculation. Students are given numerous opportunities to demonstrate their skills by working at the Briscoe Fitness and Wellness Center located on campus and managed by the Fitness Specialist Program.
All students also sit for the ACE, NSCA, or ACSM personal training certification within their sophomore and junior years. Many students are actively involved both on campus and in the community as fitness consultants, instructors, and personal trainers gaining invaluable experience working directly with individuals.
Careers
There are many exciting, rewarding, and challenging careers in the health/fitness industry. These include positions such as personal trainers, group exercise instructors, exercise leaders, club managers, fitness directors, fitness sales professionals, program directors, post-rehab fitness specialists, and geriatric or pediatric fitness specialists.
Degree Program
As time passes, improvements and changes are made by faculty to academic programs. Students are subject to the set of degree requirements in place during the first term in which the student is enrolled in a degree program on the Bloomington campus of Indiana University. This set of requirements is what shows up on a student’s online academic advisement report. However, students may elect to move to any newer set of requirements. Students wishing to do this must contact the School of HPER Records Office to request the change. Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for their degree(s). For assistance with degree requirements, see your departmental advisor. Below are links to sets of degree requirements. Please pay attention to effective date ranges to determine which link to open to see your requirements.
For more information, contact:
Department of Kinesiology
School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
Indiana University
HPER 112
1025 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47401-7109
Phone: (812) 855-5523
E-mail:
