Sylvania Campus
Health Technology Building (HT), Room 215
971-722-4210
pcc.edu/programs/exercise-science/
Career and Program Description
As an exercise science professional you will be part of the preventive wellness team working in fitness clubs, wellness centers, public and private recreation facilities, personal training or sports studios, hospitals, senior living communities, or employee wellness programs. You may perform tasks such as developing and implementing safe and effective fitness programs, conducting fitness assessments, and instructing clients in appropriate sport, fitness, and wellness activities. Administrative duties for the exercise science professional may include business operations, marketing and health promotion, member retention, and sales. Portland Community College Exercise Science graduates have a background in basic anatomy and physiology, applied kinesiology, exercise physiology, sports nutrition, fitness assessment, and exercise prescription, as well as client motivation, behavior modification, and fitness promotion. The program is designed to correlate classroom and laboratory experience with practical experience in the community. Students who successfully complete the program are prepared to take national personal trainer certifying examinations given by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) or the American Council on Exercise (ACE).
Portland Community College Exercise Science graduates working in this field are known by a variety of titles, including but not limited to; personal trainer, exercise specialist, group exercise leader, fitness instructor, activity director, strength and conditioning trainer, and member services specialist. The Exercise Science program currently has articulation agreements in place with Portland State University (PSU) and Concordia University (CU). For students who successfully complete the Exercise Science AAS degree, these articulation agreements open up the opportunity to transfer to either PSU or CU and complete a Bachelor's degree in exercise science or applied health & fitness.
Degrees and Certificates Offered
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Exercise Science
Less Than One-Year: Career Pathway Certificate
Group Fitness Leader
Healthy Older Adult Fitness
Personal Trainer
Academic Prerequisites
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- IRW 115 or (WR 115 and RD 115 ) and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores.
Academic Requirements
- All courses for the Exercise Science AAS and Career Pathway Certificates must be completed with a grade of "C" or "P" or better.
- A maximum of 9 of Pass/No Pass credits are allowed in the Exercise Science Career Pathway Certificates.
- First year winter term courses for the AAS degree and the Personal Trainer Career Pathway Certificate require MTH 65 or higher and WR 121 with a "C" or "P" or better as prerequisites.
Non-Academic Prerequisites
- Attend an Exercise Science information session. Check the Exercise Science website for dates and times of the sessions.
- Application and acceptance to PCC as a credit-seeking student.
- Complete the online Exercise Science program application. Check the Exercise Science website for application deadlines and access to the application. All prerequisites must be completed prior to submitting the Exercise Science program application.
Non-Academic Requirements
- Transcripts with previous coursework must be evaluated by student records.
- Meet with an Exercise Science Admissions Advisor prior to first term enrollment.
- Meet with the Exercise Science Advisor once per term.
- Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Services 971-722-4341.
Exercise Science AAS Degree
Minimum 90 credits. Students must also meet Associate Degree Comprehensive Requirements and Associate of Applied Science Requirements. Students must complete a total of sixteen credits of General Education. In addition to required courses in the program of study, students must satisfy MTH 58/65 competency. Students should consult with program advisors for course planning.
Exercise Science Degree Courses
| CG 280A 1 | CE: Career Development | 2 |
| FT 100 | Emergency Response for Fitness Professionals | 1 |
| FT 101 | Exploring Exercise Science Careers | 3 |
| FT 103 | Nutrition for Exercise | 3 |
| FT 104 | Fitness Assessment | 3 |
| FT 105 | Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| FT 106 | Analysis of Movement | 3 |
| FT 107 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| FT 110 | Injury Prevention & Management | 2 |
| FT 131 | Structure & Function of the Human Body | 4 |
| FT 180 | Exercise Science Internship Preparation | 1 |
| FT 201 | Advanced Fitness Assessment and Prescription | 3 |
| FT 202 | Fitness and Aging | 3 |
| FT 203 | Fitness Promotion | 3 |
| FT 204 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| FT 280 | Fitness Technology Internship | 4 |
| FT 280B | Exercise Science Internship II | 4 |
| 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 |
| PE 181A | Beginning Weight Training | 1 |
| or PE 181B | Intermediate Weight Training | |
| or PE 181C | Advanced Weight Training | |
| PE 281 | Professional Activities: Weight Training | 2 |
| Choose 3 of the following | 6 | |
PE 282A 2 | Professional Activities: Group Fitness | |
PE 282B 2 | Professional Activities: Special Populations | |
PE 283 2 | Professional Activities: Mind-Body Disciplines | |
PE 287 2 | Professional Activities: Aquatics | |
PE 288 2 | Professional Activities: Team Sports Training | |
| Exercise Science Electives | 13 | |
| General Education 3 | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 90 | |
| 1 | CG 280A is a 1-credit on campus practical experience course completed twice. |
| 2 | Professional Activities degree requirement: PE 281 and three other Professional Activities courses chosen from these options: PE 282A, PE 282B, PE 283, PE 287, PE 288. |
| 3 |
Exercise Science Degree Electives
Any approved PCC or transfer course.
Less Than One-Year: Career Pathway Certificate
Group Fitness Leader
Healthy Older Adult Fitness
Personal Trainer
Group Fitness Leader Career Pathway Certificate
Minimum of 31 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements. The Group Fitness Leader Certificate is a Career Pathway. All courses are contained in the Exercise Science AAS Degree.
Group Fitness Leader Certificate Courses
| CG 280A | CE: Career Development | 1 |
| FT 100 1 | Emergency Response for Fitness Professionals | 1 |
| FT 101 | Exploring Exercise Science Careers | 3 |
| FT 110 1 | Injury Prevention & Management | 2 |
| FT 131 | Structure & Function of the Human Body | 4 |
| FT 180 | Exercise Science Internship Preparation | 1 |
| FT 280 | Fitness Technology Internship | 4 |
| 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 |
| PE 181A | Beginning Weight Training | 1 |
| or PE 181B | Intermediate Weight Training | |
| or PE 181C | Advanced Weight Training | |
| PE 281 | Professional Activities: Weight Training | 2 |
| PE 282A | Professional Activities: Group Fitness | 2 |
| PE 283 | Professional Activities: Mind-Body Disciplines | 2 |
| or PE 288 | Professional Activities: Team Sports Training | |
| PE 287 | Professional Activities: Aquatics | 2 |
| Group Fitness Leader Electives | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 31 | |
| 1 | FT 100 and FT 110 requirement may be met by the completion of FT 102. |
Group Fitness Leader Electives
| PE 142A | Zumba Fitness I | 1 |
| PE 142B | Zumba Fitness II | 1 |
| PE 142C | Zumba Fitness Gold | 1 |
| PE 143A | Aquatic Exercise I | 1 |
| PE 143B | Aquatic Exercise II | 1 |
| PE 143C | Aquatic Exercise III | 1 |
| PE 162G | Cardio Conditioning | 1 |
| PE 181M | Boot Camp II | 1 |
| PE 182A | Beginning Group Fitness | 1 |
| PE 182B | Intermediate Group Fitness | 1 |
| PE 182F | Boot Camp I | 1 |
| PE 182Y | Indoor Cycling | 1 |
Healthy Older Adult Fitness Career Pathway Certificate
Minimum of 30 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements. The Healthy Older Adult Fitness Certificate is a Career Pathway. All courses are contained in the Exercise Science AAS Degree.
Healthy Older Adult Fitness Certificate Courses
| FT 100 1 | Emergency Response for Fitness Professionals | 1 |
| FT 110 1 | Injury Prevention & Management | 2 |
| FT 131 | Structure & Function of the Human Body | 4 |
| FT 180 | Exercise Science Internship Preparation | 1 |
| FT 202 | Fitness and Aging | 3 |
| FT 280 | Fitness Technology Internship | 4 |
| GRN 165 | Activity Director Training | 2 |
| 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 |
| PE 181A | Beginning Weight Training | 1 |
| or PE 181B | Intermediate Weight Training | |
| or PE 181C | Advanced Weight Training | |
| PE 281 | Professional Activities: Weight Training | 2 |
| PE 282B | Professional Activities: Special Populations | 2 |
| SOC 223 | Social Gerontology/Sociology of Aging | 4 |
| or SOC 231 | Sociology of Health & Aging | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| 1 | FT 100 and FT 110 requirement may be met by the completion of FT 102. |
Personal Trainer Career Pathway Certificate
Minimum 41 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements. The Personal Trainer Certificate is a Career Pathway. All courses are contained in the Exercise Science AAS Degree.
Personal Trainer Certificate Courses
| FT 100 1 | Emergency Response for Fitness Professionals | 1 |
| FT 101 | Exploring Exercise Science Careers | 3 |
| FT 103 | Nutrition for Exercise | 3 |
| FT 104 | Fitness Assessment | 3 |
| FT 105 | Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| FT 106 | Analysis of Movement | 3 |
| FT 107 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| FT 110 1 | Injury Prevention & Management | 2 |
| FT 131 | Structure & Function of the Human Body | 4 |
| FT 180 | Exercise Science Internship Preparation | 1 |
| FT 280 | Fitness Technology Internship | 4 |
| 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 |
| PE 181A | Beginning Weight Training | 1 |
| or PE 181B | Intermediate Weight Training | |
| or PE 181C | Advanced Weight Training | |
| PE 281 | Professional Activities: Weight Training | 2 |
| Choose 2 of the following 2 | 4 | |
| Professional Activities: Group Fitness | ||
| Professional Activities: Special Populations | ||
| Professional Activities: Mind-Body Disciplines | ||
| Professional Activities: Aquatics | ||
| Professional Activities: Team Sports Training | ||
| Total Credits | 41 | |
| 1 | FT 100 and FT 110 requirement may be met by the completion of FT 102. |
| 2 | Professional Activities course requirement for Personal Trainer Certificate: PE 281 and two other Professional Activities courses chosen from these options: PE 282A, PE 282B, PE 283, PE 287, PE 288. |
FT 100. Emergency Response for Fitness Professionals. 1 Credit.
Covers emergency response related to injuries and illnesses in an exercise and fitness environment. Upon satisfactorily completion of the requirements individuals will be eligible for first responder certifications (i.e. CPR, AED, First Aid, etc.). Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
FT 101. Exploring Exercise Science Careers. 3 Credits.
Explores careers in the exercise science and fitness industry. Provides an overview of the concepts, skills, and methodology required to become an effective instructor of fitness and movement. Provides an opportunity to gain practical experience investigating the role of an exercise professional in fitness clubs, community-based wellness centers, and other locations. Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
FT 103. Nutrition for Exercise. 3 Credits.
Explores basic principles of nutrition with an emphasis on applications to fitness, weight management and athletic performance. Prerequisites: (HE 295 and PE 295) or HPE 295, and (WR 115 or RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
FT 104. Fitness Assessment. 3 Credits.
Introduces fitness testing for apparently healthy populations. Covers cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition in both individual and group assessments. Prerequisites: MTH 65, WR 121, FT 131, and (HE 295 and PE 295) or (HPE 295). Audit available.
FT 105. Exercise Prescription. 3 Credits.
Introduces individual and group exercise plan development and progression for cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, flexibility, body composition, balance, and sport performance. Prerequisites: FT 104. Audit available.
FT 106. Analysis of Movement. 3 Credits.
Examines human motion in physical activity and sports and the integration of anatomy and biomechanics. Explores the anatomical movements involved in a wide variety of motor and balance tasks, postural stability exercises, and exercise program design. Prerequisite: FT 131, MTH 65, and WR 121. Audit available.
FT 107. Exercise Physiology. 3 Credits.
Investigates physiological mechanisms responsible for adaptations to acute and chronic exercise in the metabolic, endocrine, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular systems. Prerequisite: FT 131, MTH 65, and WR 121. Audit available.
FT 110. Injury Prevention & Management. 2 Credits.
Covers prevention and management of acute and chronic injuries in the fitness setting. Emphasizes preventing injuries by reducing risks for injury or illness, creating safe environments, and recognizing signs and symptoms of injury or illness. Explores alternative exercises for clients and participants who have a current illness or injury. Prerequisites: FT 131 or instructor permission, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
FT 131. Structure & Function of the Human Body. 4 Credits.
Presents basic principles of anatomy, physiology, and exercise science. Introduces terminology, concepts, basic chemistry, cell structure and function, tissues, metabolism and the cardiovascular, pulmonary, skeletal, muscular, endocrine, and nervous systems. Requirement: Acceptance to the Exercise Science Program or instructor permission. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Prerequisite/concurrent: PE 181A or PE 181B or PE 181C. Audit available.
FT 180. Exercise Science Internship Preparation. 1 Credit.
Covers essential skills for internship site procurement. Focuses on company research, interviewing techniques, and resume and cover letter generation. Prerequisite: FT 131.
FT 201. Advanced Fitness Assessment and Prescription. 3 Credits.
Explores the needs and abilities of individuals outside of ACSM's guidelines for apparently healthy populations. Focuses on modification of movement, exercise, equipment, and assessments for these individuals and groups. Includes advanced testing procedures, modification of assessments, and modified exercise programming for these individuals and groups. Prerequisite: FT 105. Audit available.
FT 202. Fitness and Aging. 3 Credits.
Explores physiological aspects of aging as applied to fitness and exercise. Prerequisites: FT 131, (HE 295 and PE 295) or (HPE 295), or instructor approval. Audit available.
FT 203. Fitness Promotion. 3 Credits.
Covers skills that promote healthy and fit lifestyles for individuals and groups in a variety of fitness disciplines. Introduces skills to promote success in the job market. Prerequisite: FT 280 or instructor approval. Audit available.
FT 204. Advanced Exercise Physiology. 3 Credits.
Introduces concepts of environmental conditions, advanced training adaptations, and clinical exercise physiology. Includes additional time in the lab setting learning metabolic and ECG stress testing. Prerequisite: FT 104 and FT 107. Audit available.
FT 280. Fitness Technology Internship. 3-10 Credit.
Provides required internship experiences for Fitness Technology majors. Prerequisite: FT 180. Requires third term standing, current First Aid and CPR/AED certifications, and instructor permission.
FT 280B. Exercise Science Internship II. 4 Credits.
Provides required additional internship experiences for Exercise Science majors. Requirement: sixth term standing, current First Aid and CPR/AED certifications, and instructor permission.
PE 281. Professional Activities: Weight Training. 2 Credits.
Provides students with the skills, knowledge, and abilities to describe and safely demonstrate a progression of resistance training exercises for all major muscle groups designed to improve muscular fitness. Emphasizes identifying and utilizing training principles for enhanced muscular fitness and proper technique on a wide variety of resistance training exercises. Prerequisite: PE 181A, 181B, or 181C; and FT 131 or instructor approval. Audit available.
PE 282A. Professional Activities: Group Fitness. 2 Credits.
Explores fitness instruction and leadership for group fitness classes. Covers components of group fitness classes, styles of group exercise, and teaching methods. Prerequisites: Acceptance to the Exercise Science Program or instructor approval, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
PE 282B. Professional Activities: Special Populations. 2 Credits.
Explores fitness instruction and leadership for older adult populations. Provides tools and knowledge needed to design fitness training programs for healthy older individuals and groups. Explores the wide range of abilities and needs in individuals within older population groups and provides appropriate exercise program modifications when necessary through observation, participation, and service learning activities. Prerequisite: FT 202. Audit available.
PE 283. Professional Activities: Mind-Body Disciplines. 2 Credits.
Explores fitness instruction and leadership in selected modalities within the mind-body disciplines. Examines key principles of the mind-body disciplines and integrates them into a conventional exercise setting. Prerequisites: Acceptance to the Fitness Technology Program or instructor approval and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
PE 287. Professional Activities: Aquatics. 2 Credits.
Explores fitness instruction and leadership in the field of aquatics. Incorporates principles of hydrodynamics and exercise to achieve total fitness. Prerequisites: Acceptance to the Fitness Technology Program or instructor approval and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
PE 288. Professional Activities: Team Sports Training. 2 Credits.
Explores fitness instruction and leadership in team sports. Covers components of coaching team sports and skill-related physical fitness such as: progressions and techniques of practice format, sport specific drills, plyometrics, and speed-agility-quickness coaching strategy and methodology. Prerequisites: Acceptance to the Fitness Technology Program or instructor approval, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.