Online Bachelor’s in Fitness and Personal Training. If you are passionate about health and fitness, and you want to help others achieve their wellness goals, you might be interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fitness and personal training. This degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills to design, implement, and evaluate fitness programs for various populations and settings. You will also learn about the scientific principles of human movement, nutrition, physiology, psychology, and injury prevention.
But how can you find the best online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training program for you? There are many factors to consider, such as accreditation, curriculum, cost, flexibility, faculty, and student support. To help you narrow down your options, we have compiled a list of 10 best online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training programs based on these criteria. Here they are:
1. American Military University
American Military University (AMU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Health Sciences with a concentration in Exercise Science. This program is designed to prepare students for careers as personal trainers, fitness instructors, wellness coaches, or sports performance specialists. The program covers topics such as anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, sports psychology, and fitness assessment. Students also complete a capstone project that integrates their learning and demonstrates their competency.
AMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the program is recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). The program requires 120 credit hours and can be completed entirely online. The tuition is $285 per credit hour for undergraduate courses.
2. University of Kansas
The University of Kansas (KU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Fitness Management. This program is designed to prepare students for careers as fitness managers, health educators, wellness coordinators, or exercise specialists. The program covers topics such as kinesiology, exercise testing and prescription, health promotion, fitness management, and research methods. Students also complete an internship that provides them with hands-on experience in a fitness setting.
KU is accredited by the HLC and the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The program requires 120 credit hours and can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid format. The tuition is $496.50 per credit hour for online courses.
3. Liberty University
Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a concentration in Fitness Specialist. This program is designed to prepare students for careers as fitness specialists, personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, or exercise physiologists. The program covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, exercise programming, sports medicine, and fitness leadership. Students also complete a practicum that provides them with practical experience in a fitness setting.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the program is recognized by the NSCA. The program requires 120 credit hours and can be completed entirely online. The tuition is $390 per credit hour for full-time online students.
4. Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Healthy Lifestyles Coaching. This program is designed to prepare students for careers as health coaches, wellness consultants, fitness directors, or health educators. The program covers topics such as health behavior change, physical activity promotion, nutrition education, stress management, and chronic disease prevention. Students also complete a capstone project that showcases their skills and knowledge.
ASU is accredited by the HLC and the program is aligned with the standards of the International Consortium for Health & Wellness Coaching (ICHWC). The program requires 120 credit hours and can be completed entirely online. The tuition is $561 per credit hour for online courses.
5. University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Education with a specialization in Health Promotion. This program is designed to prepare students for careers as health educators, wellness coordinators, fitness instructors, or community health workers. The program covers topics such as health communication, health behavior theory, health education methods, health policy, and epidemiology. Students also complete an internship that provides them with professional experience in a health setting.
UF is accredited by the SACSCOC and the program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The program requires 120 credit hours and can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid format. The tuition is $129.18 per credit hour for online courses.
6. University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin (UW) offers a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness Management. This program is designed to prepare students for careers as health and wellness managers, wellness program coordinators, health coaches, or fitness directors. The program covers topics such as health promotion, wellness program planning, health behavior change, fitness management, and health informatics. Students also complete a capstone project that demonstrates their ability to apply their learning to a real-world problem.
UW is accredited by the HLC and the program is offered in collaboration with four other UW campuses. The program requires 120 credit hours and can be completed entirely online. The tuition is $440 per credit hour for online courses.
7. Granite State College
Granite State College offers a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness with a concentration in Fitness and Personal Training. This program is designed to prepare students for careers as fitness trainers, wellness coaches, fitness managers, or health educators. The program covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, exercise science, nutrition, fitness assessment, and fitness programming. Students also complete an internship that provides them with practical experience in a fitness setting.
Granite State College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the program is recognized by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The program requires 120 credit hours and can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid format. The tuition is $314 per credit hour for online courses.
8. Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University offers a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science. This program is designed to prepare students for careers as exercise scientists, fitness specialists, strength and conditioning coaches, or clinical exercise physiologists. The program covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, exercise testing and prescription, and research methods. Students also complete an internship that provides them with hands-on experience in an exercise setting.
Georgia Southern University is accredited by the SACSCOC and the program is accredited by the CAAHEP. The program requires 124 credit hours and can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid format. The tuition is $199 per credit hour for online courses.
9. Concordia University – St Paul
Concordia University – Saint Paul offers a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science. This program is designed to prepare students for careers as exercise scientists, fitness professionals, health educators, or wellness consultants. The program covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, exercise testing and prescription, and fitness management. Students also complete a capstone project that integrates their learning and showcases their skills.
Concordia University – Saint Paul is accredited by the HLC and the program is recognized by the NSCA. The program requires 120 credit hours and can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid format. The tuition is $420 per credit hour for online courses.
10. Missouri Online
Missouri Online offers a Bachelor of Science in Fitness Programming and Management. This program is designed to prepare students for careers as fitness programmers, fitness managers, personal trainers, or health educators. The program covers topics such as exercise science, fitness programming, fitness management, health promotion, and research methods. Students also complete a practicum that provides them with real-world experience in a fitness setting.
Missouri Online is accredited by the HLC and the program is offered by the University of Missouri School of Health Professions. The program requires 120 credit hours and can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid format. The tuition is $360 per credit hour for online courses.
FAQs
What are the benefits of earning an online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training?
Earning an online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training can provide you with several benefits, such as:
- Flexibility: You can study at your own pace and schedule, without having to commute or relocate.
- Affordability: You can save money on tuition, fees, transportation, and housing costs compared to on-campus programs.
- Accessibility: You can access high-quality education from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Career advancement: You can enhance your knowledge and skills, increase your employability, and qualify for higher-paying jobs in the fitness industry.
What are the admission requirements for an online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training?
The admission requirements for an online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training may vary depending on the school and the program. However, some common requirements are:
- A high school diploma or equivalent
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Official transcripts from previous schools
- A personal statement or essay
- Letters of recommendation
- A resume or CV
- A completed online application form
- An application fee
Some programs may also require standardized test scores (such as SAT or ACT), prerequisite courses (such as math or science), or proof of English proficiency (for international students).
How long does it take to complete an online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training?
The duration of an online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training may vary depending on the school, the program, and the student’s pace. However, most programs require 120 credit hours and can be completed in four years of full-time study or longer for part-time students.
Some programs may offer accelerated options that allow students to finish their degree faster by taking more courses per term or transferring credits from previous education.
What are the career opportunities for graduates of an online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training?
Graduates of an online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training can pursue a variety of careers in the fitness industry, such as:
- Personal trainer: A personal trainer works with individual clients or small groups to design and implement customized fitness programs that meet their goals, needs, and preferences. A personal trainer also monitors their progress, provides feedback, and motivates them to stay on track.
- Fitness instructor: A fitness instructor leads group exercise classes in various formats, such as aerobics, yoga, pilates, spinning, or Zumba. A fitness instructor also demonstrates proper techniques, cues movements, and adjusts the intensity and difficulty of the exercises according to the participants’ abilities and goals.
- Fitness manager: A fitness manager oversees the operations and staff of a fitness facility, such as a gym, a health club, or a wellness center. A fitness manager also plans and evaluates fitness programs and services, manages budgets and resources, ensures compliance with safety and quality standards, and handles customer service and marketing issues.
- Health coach: A health coach provides guidance and support to clients who want to improve their health and wellness. A health coach also helps them set realistic and achievable goals, develop action plans, overcome barriers, and adopt healthy habits and behaviors.
- Exercise physiologist: An exercise physiologist applies the principles of exercise science to assess, prescribe, and supervise exercise programs for various populations, such as athletes, patients, or older adults. An exercise physiologist also conducts research on the effects of exercise on health outcomes, performance, and recovery.
How much can I earn with an online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training?
The salary potential for graduates of an online bachelor’s in fitness and personal training may vary depending on the type of job, the level of experience, the location, and the employer. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for fitness trainers and instructors was $40,510 as of May 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,550.
The BLS also projects that the employment of fitness trainers and instructors will grow by 15 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for fitness services from health-conscious consumers, aging populations, and corporate wellness programs.
