Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Group Fitness Leader, Career Pathway certificate

• Do you want to promote the health and wellness of others?
• Are you ready to advance your career and develop your leadership and management skills?
• Are you experienced in a field working with diverse populations or as a fitness professional, and want to enhance your skills and abilities?
• Opportunities await!

As a group fitness leader, you will be part of the preventive health care team working in health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, public and private recreation facilities, hospitals, and/or corporate fitness centers. The EXS Group Fitness Leader Certificate may be obtained as a stand-alone certificate or in addition to the AAS degree.

In this Career Pathways certificate, you will be prepared to meet qualifications for employment as an entry-level group fitness leader and will apply knowledge and skills gained in the Exercise Science program when working with healthy populations in a group setting. Minimum of 31 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements. All courses are contained in the Exercise Science AAS Degree.

Award information

Degrees and certificates by number of terms to complete

Award	Length (attending full-time)	Financial aid eligible	Currently accepting students?
Career Pathway Certificate: Group Fitness Leader	Less than 1 year		Limited entry, see how to get into this program

Learn more about Exercise Science and all 5 awards available »

Jobs

The average full-time wage is $30,000-$50,000 per year, with typical entry-level wages of $25-$45 per hour.

Finish your degree

The Group Fitness Leader Career Pathway Certificate leads to additional certificates and degrees. Continue your education to give yourself more job opportunities and career advancement.

Is it for me?

• Who: High school graduates (and high school equivalency). Completion of IRW 115 or (WR 115 and RD 115) and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. If you do not meet all the placement recommendations, contact us for other options.
• Where: PCC Sylvania Campus
• When: Three terms

Program cost

Use the cost calculator to see the estimated costs. For more detailed cost sheets contact 971-722-4210.

Courses

Course listing for the 2024-2025 catalog year.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FT 100	Emergency Response for Fitness Professionals	1
FT 101	Exploring Exercise Science Careers	3
FT 110	Injury Prevention & Management	2
FT 131	Structure & Function of the Human Body	4
FT 180	Exercise Science Internship Preparation	1
FT 280	Exercise Science Internship I	4
or FT 280C	Exercise Science Professional Project II
FT 280T	Physical Activity Teaching Experience	1
or FT 280P	Exercise Science Professional Project I
HE 295 & PE 295	Health and Fitness for Life and Health and Fitness for Life Lab	3
HUS 102	Mental Health First Aid: Adult	1
or HUS 106	Mental Health First Aid: Youth
or HUS 107	Mental Health First Aid: Older Adult
PE 181A	Weight Training I	1
or PE 181B	Weight Training II
or PE 181C	Weight Training III
PE 281	Professional Activities: Resistance Training	2
PE 282A	Professional Activities: Group Fitness	2
PE 287	Professional Activities: Aquatics	2
Choose 1 of the following Professional Activities courses
PE 283	Professional Activities: Mind-Body Disciplines	2
or PE 288	Professional Activities: Team Sports Training
Group Fitness Leader Electives		2
Total Credits		31

Career exploration