B.S. in Kinesiology, Option in Fitness

The Fitness option is designed for students interested in careers in the fitness industry, e.g. fitness director, manager, program specialist, coordinator, strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, or group instructor in corporate, commercial, YMCA, or other public or private facilities.

The Fitness option is currently the only accredited option through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) for BOTH the Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences AND Personal Fitness Training Accreditations! â€‹Students in the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ Fitness program can take pride in their academic program's accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Evaluated by the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES), this accreditation ensures that students are thoroughly prepared to become exercise professionals. Notably, аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ is the only university in California to receive this credential, highlighting the program's excellence and rigor.

This prestigious distinction signals to prospective employers that аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ Fitness graduates have completed a nationally recognized and rigorous course of study. Accreditation by CAAHEP requires аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ Fitness faculty to collect and analyze specific program outcomes, ensuring students are well-prepared for the competitive job market. Below are the program outcomes for the 2023-2024 academic year:

  • 97% of fitness majors successfully completed internship requirements set by the Fitness option, CAAHEP, and CoAES.
  • 87% completed their degree within three years of acceptance as a Fitness major. 
  • One year after graduation, 89% of graduates were either employed in the fitness industry or admitted to advanced degree programs in exercise science or medical-related fields.

The Fitness Option is also recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as an undergraduate Strength & Conditioning program (ERP approved!)

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  • Michelle Alencar, Ph.D., CCN, CSCS, ACSM-CEP, CPT
  • Candice Campbell, M.S., CSCS, ACSM-CPT, GXI
  • Ayla Donlin, EdD, ACSM CPT, ACE-HC, ACE-Fitness Nutrition & Senior Fitness Specialist
  • Jade Rodgers, M.A. 
  • Jan Schroeder, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, AFAA - GXI
  • Kellie Walters, Ph.D., ACE-HC, ACSM-CPT and EIM, AFAA-GXI
picture of fitness option faculty

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Potential jobs for Fitness majors include:

  • Personal Trainer
  • Strength and Conditioning Specialist
  • Wellness Coach
  • Group Exercise Instructor
  • Fitness Coordinator/Director/Manager
  • Entrepreneur/Owner
  • Consultant
  • Fitness Specialist Educator/Presenter
  • Health/Fitness Writer
  • Fitness Product Developer
  • Corrective Exercise Specialist

Kinesiology, Fitness Option, B.S. (120 units)

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology must complete the course requirements and the physical fitness proficiency of each Option. Students may select their area of specialization from the options.

  • Admission Under Impaction
  • Fitness is an Impacted Option

Degree Progress for Pre-Kinesiology Majors

Pre-Kinesiology majors must complete the following requirements within four semesters of being admitted as a Pre-Kinesiology major or declaring a Pre-Kinesiology major. Some students may need to take courses during Summer Session to meet these requirements. At the end of the four semesters after Declaration of a Pre-Kinesiology major, students who have not met the requirements must either declare another major or meet with an Academic Advisor to determine if the student's performance in the courses merits an additional semester to complete.

At the end of the second semester, pre-Kinesiology students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the following courses:

  • Written Communication in English (General Education Category A1)
  • Oral Communication in English (General Education Category A2)
  • Critical Thinking (General Education Category A3)
  • Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning* (General Education Category B2)
  • KIN 201
  • PSY 100

*If the Kinesiology option requires a specific Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning course to be completed, students must have this course completed at the end of the second semester with a grade of "C" or better.

At the end of the fourth semester, pre-Kinesiology students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in all required major preparation course work (see Major Specific Criteria). At the end of the fourth semester, Pre-Kinesiology students must be eligible to be fully declared into the intended option within Kinesiology.

Pre-Kinesiology students who are admitted into one Kinesiology option will not be granted permission to switch into another Kinesiology option without a formal appeal to the Kinesiology appeals committee.

Pre-Kinesiology students should note that withdrawing or repeating courses to improve their grades or GPA will result in poor academic progress and will likely make them ineligible for admission.

To view the KIN Core and Fitness Option Curriculum, please . 

 

  1. What is the Fitness Option?
    1. Most of our Fitness students are enrolled in the program and others are graduates earning theirin fitness-related concentrations. We require that our students gain extensive applied work experience (internships) in commercial, community, corporate, or other fitness settings while earning their degrees.

 

  1. How do I enroll in the program?
    1. The Fitness Option is impacted. Students may only declare as Fitness Majors if they meet the following requirements:
      1. Minimum GPA: 3.0
      2. Prerequisites: BIO 207, 208, PYSCH 100, STATS 108, NTRS 132
      3. Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:
      4. Written Communication
      5. Oral Communication
      6. Critical Thinking

 

  1. What is the coursework for the Fitness Option?
    1. Upon graduation, students complete a minimum of 120 academic units and 620 internship hours. See/college-of-health-human-services/kinesiology/undergraduate-degree- programs/bs-kinesiology-option-2 then expand the Degree Requirements list.

 

  1. What can I do with a degree in Fitness?
    1. Upon graduating our program, students are prepared for a variety of fitness-related professions.
      1. Personal Trainer
      2. Strength and Conditioning Specialist
      3. Wellness Coach
      4. Group Exercise Instructor
      5. Fitness Coordinator/Director/Manager
      6. Entrepreneur/Owner
      7. Consultant
      8. Fitness Specialist Educator/Presenter
      9. Health/Fitness Writer
      10. Fitness Product Developer
      11. Corrective Exercise Specialist
      12. Cardiac Rehab Exercise Specialist
    2. Many of our alums also become professionals in other fields that are indirectly related to fitness.
      1. EKG Technician
      2. Nuclear Medicine Technician
      3. Echocardiography Technician
      4. Athletic Training (entry level Master’s)
      5. Physician’s Assistant
      6. Chiropractor
      7. Nurse
      8. Ergonomics consultant
      9. Medical Device Sales
      10. Pharmaceutical Sales

 

 

  1. I’ve heard there are applied learning hours associated with the Fitness Option. What do those look like?
    1. All Fitness students are required to gain applied experience through internship hours in order to graduate from our program. All fitness majors must be CPR and First Aid Certified to complete their hours.
    2. Pre-Internship Hours (500 Total)
    3. 200 Hours within a traditional fitness setting (YMCA, JCC, 24 Hour Fitness, Gold’s Gym, yoga or Pilates studio, personal training facility, etc.)
    4. 200 Hours within a special population setting (strength and conditioning, older adults, youth, corporate, post- rehab)
    5. 100 Hours of additional approved experiences, some of which are completed during your coursework (KIN 367, 368, 467)
    6. KIN 489D – Fieldwork in Fitness (120 Total)
      1. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
      2. Perform fitness assessments.
      3. Analyze fitness assessment results.
      4. Provide exercise designs for individuals.
      5. Monitor exercise programs.
      6. Develop a group fitness/health education class.
      7. Lead a group fitness/health education class.
      8. Perform business duties as required by fitness facilities.
      9. For more information, contact Dr. Schroeder, Dr. Alencar, or Dr. Walters

 

  1. What is the FITLAB

The LBSU FITLAB (Fitness & Integrated Training Laboratory) is the hands-on training and research hub for Fitness students at Long Beach State University. The majority of our students are undergraduates enrolled in the Kinesiology – Fitness Option, B.S. program, but graduate-level students are heavily involved as well. With consistent access to state-of-the-art equipment, guidance from experienced faculty, research opportunities and numerous internship partnerships throughout the community & Greater Los Angeles Area, we ensure that our students are exceptionally prepared for various fitness careers.

 

  1. Where are you located?

The LBSU FITLAB is located in the Kinesiology building in room KIN 84. The Kinesiology building is located on the north side of the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ campus. Fitness students also gain applied experience at numerous internship locations in the community, Orange County, and the Greater Los Angeles Area.