Before you begin, you’ll need to meet key health and safety requirements set by our clinical partners. See what’s required and take your next step.
Personal Training
To begin, connect with an advisor who can guide you through program options and next steps, including the application process.
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Personal Training is designed to prepare students for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) personal trainer certifications. These certifications are generally required for employment in personal training positions and/or professional advancement within the fitness industry. The curriculum provides students with the foundational skills needed to design and implement fitness programs appropriate to clients’ goals and aligned with current industry best practices. A CCL in Personal Training: Advanced, an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Exercise Science: Health, Fitness, and Sports Performance, and an Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Exercise Science are also available for students interested in continuing their studies in this field.
Details
Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Personal Training (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5421
Total credits required
20-22.5
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Effective Term
Fall 2026
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You'll Learn
- Apply a foundational understanding of the relevant scientific concepts of physiology, biomechanics and psychology.
- Locate and evaluate relevant scholarly literature.
- Conduct common, evidence-based assessments of health and human movement.
- Design basic, evidence-based physical activity programs for healthy and athletic populations.
- Implement basic, evidence-based physical activity programs for healthy and athletic populations.
- Apply a fundamental understanding of theories of motivation and behavior change to encourage exercise adoption and adherence.
- Adapt instructional techniques to ensure client safety and goal attainment.
- Apply industry standards of care to mitigate risk and ensure the safety of clients.
- Demonstrate communication behaviors appropriate to the field.
- Demonstrate industry-accepted professional, ethical, and business standards.
Career Statistics
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
$47,070
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXS101 | Introduction to Exercise Science | Critical course Gateway course | 3 | ||
| EXS125 | Introduction to Exercise Physiology | Critical course | 3 | ||
| EXS145 | Exercise Testing | 3 | |||
| EXS215 | Resistance Training and Recovery Techniques | 3 | |||
| EXS217 | Cardiorespiratory and Flexibility Training | 3 | |||
| EMT101 or WED106 |
Basic Life Support/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Health Care Providers or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) | OR Current CPR/AED | 0–0.5 | ||
| PED101RT or PED101ST or PED142 |
Resistance Training for Improved Sports Performance or Strength Training or Performance-Based Training | 1–3 | |||
| FON100 or FON241 |
Introductory Nutrition or Principles of Human Nutrition | None or NSI in combo w/ FON241LL; | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 1 |
Restricted Electives
Complete one (1) credit from one of the following course options not already selected in the Required Courses area. Choose a course that best aligns with your academic and professional goals. Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor as needed.
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXS+++++ | Any EXS Exercise Science course | 1 | |||
| FON+++++ | Any FON Food and Nutrition course | 1 | |||
| HES+++++ | Any HES Health Science course | 1 | |||
| PED+++++ | Any PED Physical Education course | 1 | |||
| IFS110 | Critical Research for College Success | 1 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXS101 | Introduction to Exercise Science | Critical course Gateway course | 3 | ||
| EXS125 | Introduction to Exercise Physiology | Critical course | 3 | ||
| PED101RT or PED101ST or PED142 |
Resistance Training for Improved Sports Performance or Strength Training or Performance-Based Training | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXS145 | Exercise Testing | 3 | |||
| EXS215 | Resistance Training and Recovery Techniques | 3 | |||
| EXS217 | Cardiorespiratory and Flexibility Training | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FON100 or FON241 |
Introductory Nutrition or Principles of Human Nutrition | None or NSI in combo w/ FON241LL; | 3 | ||
| EMT101 or WED106 |
Basic Life Support/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Health Care Providers or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) | OR Current CPR/AED | 0–0.5 | ||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 1 |
Restricted Electives
Complete one (1) credit from one of the following course options not already selected in the Required Courses area. Choose a course that best aligns with your academic and professional goals. Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor as needed.
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXS+++++ | Any EXS Exercise Science course | 1 | |||
| FON+++++ | Any FON Food and Nutrition course | 1 | |||
| HES+++++ | Any HES Health Science course | 1 | |||
| PED+++++ | Any PED Physical Education course | 1 | |||
| IFS110 | Critical Research for College Success | 1 |
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=16459256.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Personal Training
While you’re on the waitlist, take time to explore courses, short-term programs, and scholarships that can help you reach your goals and keep you moving forward.
Explore your future in healthcare with resources that help you understand career paths, program requirements, and next steps so you can start preparing with confidence.