Associate in Applied Science in Exercise Science: Health, Fitness and Sports Performance

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Program Information

Learn more about the Exercise Science program.

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The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Exercise Science: Health, Fitness and Sports Performance program prepares 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. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment in entry-level positions such as personal training within health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, and public and private recreation facilities. This curriculum also provides good preparation for transfer to a four-year bachelor program.

Details

Important information you’ll need when applying to MCC:

Academic Career: Credit
Degree/Certificate Type: Career and Technical Degree
Academic Plan: Exercise Science: Health, Fitness and Sports Performance (AAS)
Academic Plan Code: 3059
Total Credits Required: 63-72.5
Catalog Year: 2019-2020

Career Opportunities

This pathway map can lead to a variety of different occupations and industries. Below is a sampling of some of the possible positions and Arizona-based salaries related to this pathway map. Some of the opportunities presented below may require either a bachelor degree or a post-graduate level education.

Example job titles with salary information
Occupation / Title	Annual Median Wage
Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors	$40,870
Salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2017.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

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 placement tests and completion of 100-200 level course pre-/corequisites and program prerequisites.
Students should meet with an academic advisor about any concerns that may affect course enrollment.

Full-time
Part-time

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
16-21
EXS101	Introduction to Exercise Science	Prerequisites or Corequisites: RDG100, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113 or satisfactory score on District reading placement exam.	Critical course Gateway course	3
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology		Course carries SB Value	3
MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152	College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions	Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MAT120, or MAT121, or MAT122, or satisfactory score on District placement exam. or Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MAT120, or MAT121, or MAT122, or satisfactory score on District placement exam. or Prerequisites: A grade of "B" or better in MAT120, or MAT121, or MAT122, or satisfactory score on a placement test.	Critical course Course carries MA Value	3–5
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of "C" or better in ENG091 or ESL097. or Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097.	Critical course Course carries FYC Value	3
HES100	Healthful Living		Critical course Course carries SB Value	3
CPD150 or AAA115	Strategies for College Success or Creating College Success			0–3
PED+++	Any PED Course		Requirement not met with Sports Skills or Lifetime Fitness/Fitness Center PED courses	1
Congrats! You have completed 25% of your degree!

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
11-18
EXS125	Introduction to Exercise Physiology	Prerequisites or Corequisites: EXS101 or permission of Instructor.		3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).		0–3
(Elective)	(Elective Course)		Recommend CHM130 and CHM130LL or CHM151 or CHM151LL to satisfy the Natural Sciences Area for AAS and SQ AGEC-A	4
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG107.		3
BIO181	General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100 or higher or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.		0–4
PED+++	Any PED Course		Requirement not met with Sports Skills or Lifetime Fitness/Fitness Center PED courses	1
Congrats! You have completed 50% of your degree!

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
18
EXS290	Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice	Prerequisites: (RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or satisfactory score on reading placement exam) AND (MAT090 or MAT091 or MAT092 or satisfactory score on math placement exam) AND (ENG101 or ENG107) or permission of Instructor. EXS101 recommended.	Course carries L Value	3
EXS210	Instructional Competency: Muscular Strength and Conditioning	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125.		2
EXS211	Assessment and Program Design: Flexibility and Balance	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125.		2
EXS212	Assessment and Program Design: Cardiorespiratory Fitness	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125 and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092).		2
EXS213	Assessment and Program Design: Weight Management and Motivation	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125 and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092).		2
FON241 or FON100	Principles of Human Nutrition or Introductory Nutrition		Course carries SG Value	3
BIO201	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in (BIO156 or BIO156XT or BIO181 or BIO181XT or one year of high school biology) and RDG100 or higher or eligibility for CRE101. CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.	Course carries SG Value	4
Congrats! You are ready for your graduation check! Meet with an ASU or NAU Transfer specialist if intending to transfer.

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
18-18.5
EXS214	Instructional Competency: Flexibility and Mind-Body Exercises	Prerequisites: (RDG100, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113, or satisfactory score on District reading placement exam) and (EXS125 and HES100) or permission of Instructor.		2
EXS216	Instructional Competency: Muscular Strength and Conditioning	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or satisfactory score on District reading placement exam and (MAT120 or satisfactory score on District math placement exam) and (EXS125 and HES100) or permission of Instructor.		2
EXS218	Instructional Competency: Cardiorespiratory Exercises and Activities	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or satisfactory score on District reading placement exam and (MAT120 or satisfactory score on District math placement exam) and (EXS125 and HES100) or permission of Instructor.		2
EXS239 or (EXS239AA and EXS239AB)	Practical Applications of Personal Training Skills and Techniques Internship or (Practical Applications of Personal Training Skills and Techniques Internship and Practical Applications of Personal Training Skills and Techniques Internship)	Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses required for the (AAS in Exercise Science and Personal Training, or CCL in Personal Training Specialist, or CCL in Personal Trainer), current CPR card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses required for the (AAS in Exercise Science and Personal Training, or CCL in Personal Training Specialist, or CCL in Personal Trainer), current CPR card, and permission of Department or Division. and Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses required for the (AAS in Exercise Science and Personal Training, or CCL in Personal Training Specialist, or CCL in Personal Trainer), current CPR card, and permission of Department or Division.		3
HES210	Cultural Aspects of Health and Illness		Course carries C, G Values	3
HES106 or EMT101	Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) or Basic Life Support/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Health Care Providers		Students must gain AHA or Red Cross CPR/AED certification through completion of HES 106 OR EMT 101 OR other approved certifying body	0–0.5
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites	COM100, COM110 and COM230 carry SB Value. COM225 carries L Value	3
HU	Humanities, Arts and Design (HU) Course			3
Obtain CPR/AED Certification. Congrats - you have finished your degree and are ready to register for your ACSM, NSCA, NASM or ACE Certification Exam!

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
10-11
HU	Humanities, Arts and Design (HU) Course		Optional for AGEC A	3
MAT206 or (PSY230 and PSY231)	Elements of Statistics or (Introduction to Statistics and Laboratory for Statistics)	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT140, or MAT141, or MAT142, or MAT150, or MAT151, or MAT152, or equivalent, or satisfactory score on District placement exam. or Prerequisites: (A grade of "C" or better in PSY101 and MAT092 or higher MAT course) or (a grade of "C" or better in PSY101 and eligibility for MAT112 or higher as indicated by appropriate mathematics placement test score) or permission of Instructor. and Corequisites: PSY230.	Course carries CS Value. Optional for AGEC A	3–4
BIO202	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO201 or BIO201XT.	Course carries SG Value. Optional for AGEC A	4
Congrats! You have completed your AGEC - A and are now ready for transfer!

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
7-10
HES100	Healthful Living		Critical course Satisfies SB for AAS and AGEC A	3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of "C" or better in ENG091 or ESL097. or Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097.	Critical course	3
CPD150 or AAA115	Strategies for College Success or Creating College Success			0–3
PED+++	Any PED Course		Requirement not met with Sports Skills or Lifetime Fitness/Fitness Center PED courses	1

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
6-11
EXS101	Introduction to Exercise Science	Prerequisites or Corequisites: RDG100, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113 or satisfactory score on District reading placement exam.	Critical course Gateway course	3
MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152	College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions	Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MAT120, or MAT121, or MAT122, or satisfactory score on District placement exam. or Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in MAT120, or MAT121, or MAT122, or satisfactory score on District placement exam. or Prerequisites: A grade of "B" or better in MAT120, or MAT121, or MAT122, or satisfactory score on a placement test.	Critical course Course carries MA Value	3–5
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).		0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
7
EXS125	Introduction to Exercise Physiology	Prerequisites or Corequisites: EXS101 or permission of Instructor.		3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG107.		3
PED+++	Any PED Course		Requirement not met with Sports Skills or Lifetime Fitness/Fitness Center PED courses	1

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
6
(Elective)	(Elective Course)		Recommend CHM130 and CHM130LL or CHM151 or CHM151LL to satisfy the Natural Sciences Area for AAS and SQ AGEC-A	4
EXS210 or EXS211 or EXS212 or EXS213	Instructional Competency: Muscular Strength and Conditioning or Assessment and Program Design: Flexibility and Balance or Assessment and Program Design: Cardiorespiratory Fitness or Assessment and Program Design: Weight Management and Motivation	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125 and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092). or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125 and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092).		2

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
8-10
EXS210 or EXS211 or EXS212 or EXS213	Instructional Competency: Muscular Strength and Conditioning or Assessment and Program Design: Flexibility and Balance or Assessment and Program Design: Cardiorespiratory Fitness or Assessment and Program Design: Weight Management and Motivation	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125 and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092). or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125 and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092).		2–4
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology		Satisfies second SB for AGEC-A	3
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites	COM100, COM110 and COM230 carry SB Value. COM225 carries L Value	3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
5-9
HES210	Cultural Aspects of Health and Illness		Satisfies C & G Values for AGEC A	3
EXS210 or EXS211 or EXS212 or EXS213	Instructional Competency: Muscular Strength and Conditioning or Assessment and Program Design: Flexibility and Balance or Assessment and Program Design: Cardiorespiratory Fitness or Assessment and Program Design: Weight Management and Motivation	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125 and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092). or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125 and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092).		2
BIO181	General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100 or higher or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Course carries SQ Value	0–4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
10-12
BIO201	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in (BIO156 or BIO156XT or BIO181 or BIO181XT or one year of high school biology) and RDG100 or higher or eligibility for CRE101. CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.	Course carries SG Value	4
EXS210 or EXS211 or EXS212 or EXS213	Instructional Competency: Muscular Strength and Conditioning or Assessment and Program Design: Flexibility and Balance or Assessment and Program Design: Cardiorespiratory Fitness or Assessment and Program Design: Weight Management and Motivation	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125 and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092). or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EXS125 and (MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092).		2–4
BIO201	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in (BIO156 or BIO156XT or BIO181 or BIO181XT or one year of high school biology) and RDG100 or higher or eligibility for CRE101. CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.	Course Satisfies SG for AGEC A	4

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
6
EXS214	Instructional Competency: Flexibility and Mind-Body Exercises	Prerequisites: (RDG100, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113, or satisfactory score on District reading placement exam) and (EXS125 and HES100) or permission of Instructor.	2
EXS216	Instructional Competency: Muscular Strength and Conditioning	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or satisfactory score on District reading placement exam and (MAT120 or satisfactory score on District math placement exam) and (EXS125 and HES100) or permission of Instructor.	2
EXS218	Instructional Competency: Cardiorespiratory Exercises and Activities	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or satisfactory score on District reading placement exam and (MAT120 or satisfactory score on District math placement exam) and (EXS125 and HES100) or permission of Instructor.	2

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
6-6.5
EXS290	Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice	Prerequisites: (RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or satisfactory score on reading placement exam) AND (MAT090 or MAT091 or MAT092 or satisfactory score on math placement exam) AND (ENG101 or ENG107) or permission of Instructor. EXS101 recommended.	Course carries L Value	3
HES106 or EMT101	Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) or Basic Life Support/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Health Care Providers		Students must gain AHA or Red Cross CPR/AED certification through completion of HES 106 OR EMT 101 OR other approved certifying body	0–0.5
HU	Humanities, Arts and Design (HU) Course			3
Congrats! You are ready for your graduation check! Obtain CPR/AED Certification. Meet with an ASU or NAU Transfer specialist if intending to transfer.

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
6
EXS239 or (EXS239AA and EXS239AB)	Practical Applications of Personal Training Skills and Techniques Internship or (Practical Applications of Personal Training Skills and Techniques Internship and Practical Applications of Personal Training Skills and Techniques Internship)	Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses required for the (AAS in Exercise Science and Personal Training, or CCL in Personal Training Specialist, or CCL in Personal Trainer), current CPR card, and permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses required for the (AAS in Exercise Science and Personal Training, or CCL in Personal Training Specialist, or CCL in Personal Trainer), current CPR card, and permission of Department or Division. and Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) credits of EXS courses required for the (AAS in Exercise Science and Personal Training, or CCL in Personal Training Specialist, or CCL in Personal Trainer), current CPR card, and permission of Department or Division.		3
FON241 or FON100	Principles of Human Nutrition or Introductory Nutrition		Course carries SG Value	3
Obtain CPR/AED Certification. Congrats - you have finished your degree and are ready to register for your ACSM, NSCA, NASM or ACE Certification Exam!

Term 11

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 11
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
6-7
HU	Humanities, Arts and Design (HU) Course		Optional for AGEC A	3
MAT206 or (PSY230 and PSY231)	Elements of Statistics or (Introduction to Statistics and Laboratory for Statistics)	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT140, or MAT141, or MAT142, or MAT150, or MAT151, or MAT152, or equivalent, or satisfactory score on District placement exam. or Prerequisites: (A grade of "C" or better in PSY101 and MAT092 or higher MAT course) or (a grade of "C" or better in PSY101 and eligibility for MAT112 or higher as indicated by appropriate mathematics placement test score) or permission of Instructor. and Corequisites: PSY230.	Course carries CS Value Optional for AGEC A	3–4

Term 12

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 12
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
4
BIO202	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO201 or BIO201XT.	Course carries SG Value. Optional for AGEC A	4
Congrats! Congrats! You have completed your AGEC - A and are now ready for transfer!

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Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Exercise Science program.

General Help

Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.

Program Area Key

Critical Rdg = Critical Reading
FYC = First Year Composition
HU = Humanities, Arts and Design
Mathematics = Mathematics

NS = Natural Science
Oral Comm = Oral Communication
PP = Program Prerequisite

SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
RC = Required Courses
RE = Restricted Electives

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.

All information is administered by the Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation at Maricopa County Community College District and published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.

View MCCCD’s program website for the Associate in Applied Science in Exercise Science: Health, Fitness and Sports Performance (http://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm3?id=134402).

* Salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2017.

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Course Sequence by Term

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

Term 5

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

Term 5

Term 6

Term 7

Term 8

Term 9

Term 10

Term 11

Term 12

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