Field of Interest
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Personal Training: Advanced is designed to prepare students for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) personal trainer certifications. These certifications are generally required for employment in personal training positions and/or professional advancement within the fitness industry. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment in positions such as personal training within health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, and public and private recreation facilities. The curriculum includes the foundational courses required for the CCL in Personal Training coupled with advanced hands-on courses that foster the development of critical thinking and leadership skills important for developing, implementing and leading exercise programs. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Exercise Science: Health, Fitness, and Sports Performance and an Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Exercise Science are also available for students interested in continuing their studies in this field.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Health Sciences
- Type
- Certificate of Completion (CCL)
- Academic Plan
- Personal Training: Advanced (CER)
- Academic Plan Code
- 5445
- Total Credits Required
- 30-30.5
- Catalog Year
- 2025-2026
- Effective Term
- Fall 2025
- Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Apply a foundational understanding of the relevant scientific concepts of physiology, biomechanics and psychology.
- Locate and evaluate relevant scholarly literature.
- Conduct advanced, evidence-based assessments of health and human movement.
- Design evidence-based physical activity programs tailored to client goals and needs.
- Implement evidence-based physical activity programs tailored to client goals and needs.
- Apply theories of motivation and behavior change to develop and implement basic strategies for improving exercise adoption and adherence.
- Adapt instructional techniques to ensure client safety and goal attainment.
- Apply industry standards of care to mitigate risk and ensure the safety of clients.
- Demonstrate communication behaviors appropriate to the field.
- Demonstrate industry-accepted professional, ethical, and business standards.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to
employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related
occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for
this certificate. Education requirements vary for the
occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some
of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program
director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding
education level, wages, and employment information.
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise.
Typical Education Level
a certificate
Hourly Median Wage
$24.44
Annual Median Wage
$50,853
Annual Job Openings
1,257
Number of People Employed
5,645
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 16.2 %
* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data,
reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s
proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers
including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device,
some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this
page on a device with a larger screen.
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
| Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
| EXS246 |
Advanced Exercise Testing |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS146 or permission of Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
2 |
| EXS255 |
Program Design: Muscular Fitness and Performance |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (EXS125 and EXS146) or permission of Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
3 |
| EXS257 |
Program Design: Cardiorespiratory Fitness |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (EXS125 and EXS146) or permission of Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
3 |
| PED+++++ |
Select one PED Courses from list in notes area |
|
PED101BC, PED101BS, PED101CY, PED101GF, PED101KB, PED101LD, PED101PC, PED101PS, PED101SR, PED101TC, PED101TX, PED101YG, PED101YH, PED101YO, PED101YP, PED101YR, or PED101ZU
|
|
1 |
(EXS270) or
(EXS270AA and
EXS270AB) or
(EXS275) or
(EXS275AA and
EXS275AB) or
(EXS270AA and
EXS275AB) or
(EXS270AB and
EXS275AA) |
(Exercise Science Internship) or (Exercise Science Internship and Exercise Science Internship) or (Sport Science Internship) or (Sport Science Internship and Sport Science Internship) or (Exercise Science Internship and Sport Science Internship) or (Exercise Science Internship and Sport Science Internship) |
Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. and Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. or Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. and Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. and Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. and Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division.View requisites |
|
|
3 |
Restricted Electives
Complete one (1) credit from one of the following course options not already selected in the Required Courses area. Choose a course that best aligns with your academic and professional goals. Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor as needed.
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device,
some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this
page on a device with a larger screen.
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
| Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
EMT101 or
WED106 |
Basic Life Support/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Health Care Providers or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) |
|
OR Current CPR/AED
|
|
0–0.5 |
| EXS246 |
Advanced Exercise Testing |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS146 or permission of Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
2 |
FON100 or
FON241 |
Introductory Nutrition or Principles of Human Nutrition |
|
|
None or SG in combo w/ FON241LL |
3 |
| PED+++++ |
Select one PED Courses from list in notes area |
|
PED101BC, PED101BS, PED101CY, PED101GF, PED101KB, PED101LD, PED101PC, PED101PS, PED101SR, PED101TC, PED101TX, PED101YG, PED101YH, PED101YO, PED101YP, PED101YR, or PED101ZU
|
|
1 |
| RE |
Restricted Electives |
|
|
|
1 |
EXS270AA or
EXS275AA |
Exercise Science Internship or Sport Science Internship |
Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. or Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division.View requisites |
Students must complete three (3) credits from the following EXS internship course options:
(EXS270) or (EXS270AA and EXS270AB) or (EXS275) or (EXS275AA and EXS275AB) or (EXS270AA and EXS275AB) or (EXS270AB and EXS275AA)
|
|
0–1 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
| Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
EXS270 or
EXS275 |
Exercise Science Internship or Sport Science Internship |
Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses with a grade of C or better, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department/Division Chair and/or the Program Director. or Prerequisites: Completion of a grade of C or better in nine (9) credits of EXS courses, approved by the Department Chair and/or Director, current CPR and AED card, and permission of Department or Division.View requisites |
Students must complete three (3) credits from the following EXS internship course options:
(EXS270) or (EXS270AA and EXS270AB) or (EXS275) or (EXS275AA and EXS275AB) or (EXS270AA and EXS275AB) or (EXS270AB and EXS275AA)
|
|
0–3 |
Restricted Electives
Complete one (1) credit from one of the following course options not already selected in the Required Courses area. Choose a course that best aligns with your academic and professional goals. Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor as needed.
Ready to get started?
Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
Learn more about and find contact information for the Exercise Science program.
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=15993302).
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Personal Training: Advanced
