Go to mccnh.edu/programs for even more details about this and other MCC programs and certificates.
Health and exercise professionals work in various settings filling a multitude of roles in supporting clients to achieve personal health and fitness goals. As coaches, trainers, and fitness professionals who lead by example, we promote, develop, and implement effective lifestyle plans that incorporate physical activity, healthy eating habits, and overall lifestyle management. You can anticipate opportunities in many areas of this field as businesses continue to recognize the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees and more people take an active role in preventing chronic disease and injury, seeking expert guidance with their health, wellness and athletic goals.
The mission of the Health and Exercise Science program is to equip you with cutting-edge knowledge and skills necessary to excel as leaders in various sectors of the health and wellness industry. Our primary objective is to offer you hands-on learning opportunities that seamlessly integrate effective communication, assessment and programming skills. These skills will enable you to establish and cultivate professional-client relationships, accurately identify clients’ needs and goals, and help you devise and implement tailored plans and programs for individuals and groups alike.
Students who graduate from this program will be able to:
- Establish and maintain successful professional-client relationships by demonstrating exceptional rapport-building and communication skills,
fostering credibility and trust. - Safely and effectively assess, develop, and implement tailored health, wellness, and training programs for diverse populations, ensuring optimal outcomes.
- Apply comprehensive knowledge of human body systems to assess, program, and monitor clients’ progress accurately and effectively.
- Prepare you to sit for industry-leading national certification exams such as ACSM, ACE, NSCA, NASM, showcasing your proficiency and readiness for professional practice.
- Recognize and appreciate the significance of active involvement in local business, community, and industry organizations, fostering continuous
learning, networking and professional growth.
Completion of the Health and Exercise Science degree also prepares you for transfer to various health programs such as exercise physiology, physical therapy, kinesiology, athletic training, dietitian and health education. With your degree you can transfer to schools like:
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Franklin Pierce University
- New England College
- UNH - University of New Hampshire
- Plymouth State University
- Keene State College
- ...and many more!
Professional Experience
The Professional Experience class requires you to participate in an internship at a leading health facility like one of these:
- Executive Health & Sports Club
- Flexible Assisted
- Stretch
- YMCA
Graduates of this program typically find employment as a:
- Exercise Specialist
- Fitness Director
- Personal Trainer
- Group Fitness Instructor
- Health/Wellness Coach
- Sports Performance Coach
- If you are seeking a career in health and fitness you should be physically and mentally fit, have passion for health and wellness and be able to withstand a physically active, high paced work environment and have the ability to respond quickly and appropriately as required.
- You are also expected to have the maturity to exercise sound judgement, maintain confidentiality, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor or faculty member, and establish rapport and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with teachers, fellow students and clients.
Program Requirements
Courses in the Health and Exercise Science and Personal Training Programs are sequenced in a progressive manner and must be taken in the order listed.
- Students wishing to transfer into this program have the option of taking BIOL110M & BIOL120M in place of BIOL106M & BIOL107M. BIOL110M requires successful completion and a “C” or better in High School Biology and Chemistry, therefore it is recommended that you complete those courses prior to entry in the Health and Exercise Science program.
- A grade of “C” or better in HFIT105M is required to continue in the Health and Exercise Science program. You may retake a course once if the minimum grade is not earned.
- Due to physical activity requirements of the program, students must also complete an Informed Consent and a preparticipation screening form prior to participation in any HFIT courses. Based on screening results, students may be asked to obtain a medical clearance for exercise from their physician. Students with any limitations to exercise should contact the program coordinator and/or faculty member to discuss the physical activity requirements of the program or specific courses they wish to register for as some of the courses involve high intensity activities.
- Prior to participation in HFIT courses, you must have or purchase the following list of required Fitness Assessment Equipment: a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, heart rate monitor, tape measure, skinfold caliper and stop watch. Students may purchase these tools individually on their own or a complete Fitness Appraisal Kit can be purchased online. Please consult faculty for more information on the equipment requirements for specific classes.
- You are responsible for any travel to and from all HFIT class that involve off campus site visits including observation sites, professional experience sites and community service sites.
- You are required to purchase a program shirt to be worn during class events, community service and professional experience. Additional information on shirt purchase will be provided in class or consult faculty member for more information.
- You must acquire and maintain American Heart Association Heart Saver CPR/ AED Certification or American Red Cross equivalent throughout the program. The certification is available in HFIT111M for an additional fee and required for participation in Professional Experience.
- A background check may be completed for community service sites and professional experience.
- Students participating in Professional Experience at clinical sites will be required to show proof of physical exam and immunizations.
