Exercise Specialist Certificate

The Exercise Specialist Certificate prepares you for a career in personal training, exercise training, strength and conditioning, or life coaching if you do not wish to pursue a two-year Associate's degree and/or you already have a degree and want to get certified as a personal trainer in one year.

You'll study material from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and other national governing bodies so that as you complete your coursework, you'll be preparing for your choice of national certifications. Most of our students complete one or more of these certifications by the time their coursework is finished. In fact, 90 to 100% of our students successfully pass a national certification exam.

If you want to earn a degree, our Exercise Specialist Certificate courses can be applied to your Kinesiology and Health Studies, AAS.

Contact (815) 455-8710 with specific questions about this program.

(in-district) Total Amount: $5,006.25

Credit Hours to Complete: 29

Weeks to Complete: 32


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Career Outlook

Related Programs

  • Kinesiology and Health Studies, AAS Prepare for a career as a personal trainer, small-group exercise instructor, exercise testing and prescription specialist, or strength and conditioning coach.

What you need to know about getting your Exercise Specialist Certificate (CIP 31.0501)

Total Exercise Specialist Certificate Costs
Cost in-district out-of-district out-of-state international
Tuition $3,523.5 $11,402.51 $14,913.54 $14,913.54
Additional Costs $1,482.75 $1,482.75 $1,482.75 $1,482.75
Program Total $5,006.25 $12,885.26 $16,396.29 $16,396.29

What makes MCC's Exercise Specialist Certificate program better than or distinct from similar programs at other institutions?

MCC's Exercise Specialist Certificate program is accredited by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. 

How will MCC's Exercise Specialist Certificate program prepare me for my career or connect me to opportunities?

We work with local employers who serve as fieldwork sites. Many employers hire our students after their fieldwork internships.

What have graduates gone on to do?

Some of our students have been hired by area fitness centers and training facilities, such as Good Shepherd/Advocate, Barrington Park District, Dave Davis Speed Center, Centegra Health Systems, and Del Webb Sun City.

Outside of the Classroom

Learn through hands-on experience in our on-site Fitness Center and during your fieldwork internship.

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Semesters to complete assumes students are taking a full-time credit load of 12 credits per semester (the minimum required for federal financial aid).

Proportion of students completing in normal time is the percentage of completers who earned the credential within the specified time of their first enrollment at the College.

Students attending part-time or changing their program of study are two common reasons why they may not complete in "normal" time.

Tuition and fees are set by the Board of Trustees. Prices for books and supplies are subject to change.

See additional information about international student costs.