Physical Fitness (A.S.)
Associate in Science
Program Advisor: Sherry Scheer
413-236-4511 • sscheer@berkshirecc.edu
This program is endorsed by The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise. The Physical Fitness degree option offers students an opportunity to expand upon the Physical Fitness certificate program. In addition to instruction in nutrition, cardiovascular and strength conditioning, personal training and other topics that are covered in the certificate program, the degree program goes on to explore the human body and its relationship to exercise and fitness more intensely. Topics include the mind/body connection, injury prevention and sports psychology. Deeper exploration of exercise physiology and human anatomy are also provided.
Essential Functions
Enrollment in this Physical Fitness program requires that the student, with or without reasonable accommodations (see Notes), must be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to coordinate simultaneous motions;
- Perform movements that require supination, pronation, flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, hyperextension rotation, circumduction;
- Operate strength training equipment that requires pushing, pulling, rotating, or moving objects and weights;
- Demonstrate ability to retain and evaluate information for use in supervision and evaluation of clients;
- Display cognitive (thinking) abilities to measure, calculate, reason, and analyze information and data;
- Demonstrate ability to manipulate dials on equipment;
- Demonstrate the ability to stretch, bend, lunge, sit, step up, step down and chop;
- Perform exercise skills in both fast and slow cadences;
- Maintain a level of energy and endurance necessary to complete essential functions;
- Demonstrate safe body mechanics when moving clients or equipment including lifting, carrying small equipment (under 50 lbs.) and moving large equipment (over 50 lbs.);
- Function within the ethical and legal standards of fitness settings;
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage two or more activities or sources of information;
- Utilize problem-solving skills in making a decision;
- Detect an unsafe environment and carry out appropriate emergency procedures; and
- Effectively communicate to clients and other health professionals by:
- Explaining procedures;
- Receiving information from others;
- Receiving information from written documents;
- Exhibiting appropriate interpersonal skill(s) to motivate clients;
- Analyzing and documenting assessment finding and intervention; and
- Demonstrating the ability to critically read and interpret charts, instruction and manuals.
Expected Outcomes
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Demonstrate written and oral English competence;
- Use modern technology to access, evaluate and apply information to use state-of-the-art fitness equipment safely and perform cardio monitoring;
- Demonstrate competence in career planning, health management and lifelong learning;
- Demonstrate skills beyond entry-level (health and fitness club manager, private personal trainer, specialized fitness instructor);
- Identify good, basic exercise testing and program design; and
- Practice good nutrition and explain basic principles to clients relative to exercise physiology.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Program Courses
General Education Courses
| BIO-201 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| COM-105 | Introduction to Oral Communication | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 6 |
| MAT-136 | Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| - | General Education Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 22 |
General Education Elective: See footnote 1
Additional Requirements
| Core Competencies Portfolio |
4 items |
| FORUM |
4 units |
| Health/Fitness |
30 hours |
| Minimum grade required in each program course |
2.000 |
Health/Fitness: See footnote 2
Minimum Cumulative Average
| Overall |
2.000 |
| Program requirements |
2.000 |
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
| AHS-220 | Principles of Fitness Components | 3 |
| AHS-235 | Fitness Program Planning | 3 |
| BIO-201 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| PED-241 | Advanced Practicum I | 1 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Fourth Semester
| AHS-238 | Mind/Body Theory and Methods | 3 |
| PED-207 | Prevention and Care of Exercise Injuries | 2 |
| PED-242 | Advanced Practicum II | 1 |
| PED-250 | Psychology of Sport | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| MAT-136 | Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| - | General Education Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
General Education Elective: See footnote 1
Footnotes
-
General Education Elective chosen from History, or Humanities and Fine Arts.
-
Fulfilled by successful completion of PED-135.
-
BIO-202 is also needed for transfer to Springfield College.