Program Overview
This program will provide students with the knowledge, skills and experience required for careers as health and fitness professionals.
The Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program allows you to be at the leading edge of the healthy revolution as you learn from expert, industry-connected faculty. Skills learned go far beyond the fundamentals of exercise to include anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, business administration and marketing, nutrition, injury management, special events planning and more. Graduates will have the skills to identify needs in the community and design programs for individuals and groups meeting a wide range of objectives and goals. Knowledge in program administration and business practices, an awareness of community resources, and the ability to communicate effectively with managers, boards, committees, and funding agencies will make the graduate highly marketable.
Additional areas of skills in operation/management of fitness facilities, program administration and promotion, fitness testing procedures, planning/conducting of physical exercise programs, and development of leadership ability and performance will prove to be assets when seeking employment as a fitness professional.
Program Highlights
- Graduates will be qualified to write the OFC Group Fitness and Resistance Trainer and Personal Trainer exams to become a Platinum Fitness Practitioner OFC- RHEP.
- Details can be found at www.nflacanada.ca/get-certified-nfla and www.ontariofitnesscouncil.com
- Over 300 hours of work placement are included in the program which will connect students with our community partners in the fitness industry.
Career Opportunities
Employment can be found in the retail fitness industry in a variety of settings including fitness and health clubs, YMCA/YWCA, corporate recreation and fitness programs, and public and private fitness programs. Graduates may also find employment with community institutions for special populations and municipal recreation departments. Graduates may choose to become consultants or business entrepreneurs. They are prepared to meet the multi-dimensional demands of a growing market in fitness and health promotion.
Degree Completion
St. Clair College graduates from the Fitness & Health Promotion Program (H879) are eligible to apply to the following Universities to complete a Bachelor of Science Degree or the University of Windsor for a Bachelor of Movement Science Degree (BHK).
- University of Windsor - Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- University of Guelph-Humber - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- MTU Munster Technological University - Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland
- Hartpury University - Hartpury House, Gloucester, United Kingdom
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College(C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus:
- Grade 12 English - ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4C or EAE4U
Senior level Biology is strongly recommended.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Past Cohorts:
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FHT101 | Structure & Function Of The Human Body | 4 |
| FHT102 | Nutrition Of Wellbeing | 4 |
| FHT105 | Group Fitness Leadership I | 2 |
| FHT103 | Wellness & Healthy Living | 4 |
| FHT104 | Foundations Of Exercise Training | 3 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| FHT106 | Computer Tools For Fitness Professionals | 3 |
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FHT202 | Physical Activity In Special Populations | 3 |
| FHT207 | Fitness Assessment I | 3 |
| FHT204 | Foundations Of Exercise Program Design | 4 |
| FHT205 | Fitness Business Essentials | 3 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| FHT206 | Professional Practice | 6 |
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FHP300 | Exercise Anatomy & Physiology | 4 |
| FHP305 | Group Fitness Leadership II | 2 |
| FHP302 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| FHP303 | Awareness Through Exercise I | 4 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| FHP304 | Exercise Prescription | 4 |
Semester 4
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FHP403 | Awareness Through Exercise II | 4 |
| FHP402 | Adapted Fitness Programming | 3 |
| FHP405 | Field Placement | 16 |
| FHP406 | Fitness Assessment II | 4 |
Placement Requirements
Please be aware that although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, some of our placement sites may require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Unfortunately, we cannot predict if a placement site will begin to require full vaccination and as such, we are encouraging all students to consider vaccination. If the requirement of your placement sites changes at any point, you will be notified immediately by the College.
It is important to note that if placement sites do require students to be fully vaccinated to attend their place of business, students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a placement for their program and therefore will not be able to complete their programs.
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact our St. Clair College Health Centre at 519-972-2727 ext. 4484 (in Windsor) or 519-354-9100 ext. 3729 (in Chatham).
Employers who provide our field placement settings require a clear POLICE RECORD CHECK for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the field placement setting. The record check MUST be obtained by the student at the student's expense. If you are unable to obtain this police clearance by mid-September, you jeopardize the opportunity to complete either of your field placements.
Placements may be on day, afternoon, or weekend shifts anywhere within Windsor-Essex. Students are required to provide their own transportation to the field placement site. The College is not able to guarantee placements on a bus route.
Once received, a copy of your Vulnerable Sector Police check should be uploaded to the placement section of your SIS account.
Vulnerable Sector Police Clearances should be uploaded by November 30 of each fall academic semester.
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Fitness and Health Promotion (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 52209)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Conduct an assessment of the physical fitness, activity level and lifestyle of the client using standardized protocols, to build an individualized exercise program.
- Develop, implement and evaluate safe training programs grounded in fundamentals of anatomy, biomechanics, cardiorespiratory physiology, and nutrition to support the fitness and wellness goals of clients.
- Instruct individual clients and groups in the correct techniques for executing fitness and training programs to achieve results that meet their goals for fitness, active living, and wellness.
- Select and apply interview tools and coaching strategies that will enable clients and groups to improve their fitness, and wellness in sustainable ways.
- Develop business plans for a fitness and/or training business organization to ensure sustainability and viability while mitigating risks.
- Support community health promotion strategies for active healthy living in the general population.
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with clients, staff, allied health professionals and volunteers in the delivery of programs, activities, and the use of facilities.
- Provide positive reinforcement to empower clients and help them sustain their efforts.
- Develop plans and implement strategies for ongoing professional growth and development.
- Communicate information persuasively and accurately in oral, written, and other media formats.