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personal trainer with client

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

63.4% of Perimeter College students receive financial assistance.

How long will it take?

The typical pathway requires 60 semester hours — 42 hours in core curriculum and 18 hours in pathway courses.

Where will I take classes?
Alpharetta, Clarkston, Decatur, Dunwoody, Newton, Online

All required classes to earn a degree can be completed online.

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

Fall Semester (starts in August) — Due by August 1
Spring Semester (starts in January) — Due by December 1
Summer Semester (starts in late May) — Due by May 1

Kinesiology and Health -- Personal Training Pathway, A.S.

What is Personal Training?
Personal Trainers are experts with an understanding of human anatomy and fitness programming. They are certified by national organizations and equipped to design and deliver personalized exercise programs tailored to the client’s unique health, fitness and goals. These training sessions can be conducted individually or in small groups in person or through virtual platforms.

Why Study Personal Training?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 19 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. An estimated 65,500 positions for fitness trainers and instructors are foreseen to become available annually throughout the decade. Choosing a path as a personal trainer can lead to a full-time profession or a supplementary part-time occupation. Moreover, the sense of fulfillment that comes from assisting individuals in improving their physical well-being and reaching their fitness aspirations is deeply rewarding.

A note on pathways: A pathway is an advising guide to help students prepare for their intended bachelor's degree major. By following the course of study outlined in the appropriate Associate of Arts or Associate of Science pathway, students will have the necessary prerequisite courses to continue in their chosen disciplines. A pathway is not a major and will not be represented on the diploma.

Students should consult with advisers to confirm availability of online courses and requirements or additional costs that may be associated with courses. Students should check with advisers about which campuses offer the courses they need. Typically, core courses required for pathways can be taken at most locations and online, while pathway-specific courses may require attendance at a particular location.
Pathway Details

The Kinesiology and Health – Personal Training pathway requires 42 hours of Core Curriculum and 18 hours of courses appropriate to the pathway. For up-to-date curriculum requirements, please visit the catalog.

Accrediting agency is SACS in general.

Certifications in the Personal Trainer Concentration and the Health Coach concentration require American Council on Exercise ACE certification.

As part of Georgia State University, Perimeter College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools: Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) to award associate degrees. Successful completion of a pathway at Perimeter College leads to an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Georgia State University.

Within the Kinesiology and Health Pathway students have three options as to a concentration area they wish to follow. Students can choose to follow an exercise science concentration and transition to downtown, they can choose a Personal Trainer concentration and become certified as a Personal Trainer by the American Council of Exercise or they can choose the Health Coach concentration and upon completion of the associate degree become certified as a Health Coach and begin working in the field, with many options of locations to work.

Description

Careers

The field of personal training has expanded beyond traditional gym settings and now encompasses various niches and specializations. Here are some Personal Training career options to consider:

  • Personal Trainer at a Gym or Fitness Center
  • Group Fitness Instructor
  • Online Personal Trainer
  • Freelance Personal Trainer
  • Corporate Wellness Trainer
  • Sports-Specific Trainer
  • Special Populations Trainer
  • Wellness Coach
  • Online Fitness Content Creator
  • Fitness Manager or Director

For potential job and salary information, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Contacts

Admissions and Curriculum Inquiries

Admissions
For help with applying or admissions, please review our website, visit a campus office or contact us at 404-413-2500.

Interim Department Chair of Health Professions

Dr. Nicole Lynch
[email protected]
770-274-5040

The information shared here provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For official details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.