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Fitness and Wellness Specialist
Program Number: 301094
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Culinary, Hospitality and Fitness
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
24 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.
Estimated Tuition

$3,917.18

$3,442.80 Tuition
$474.38 Materials/Supplemental Costs
$0.00 Other Costs
  • Program Overview

    Madison College's Fitness and Wellness Specialist Technical Diploma assists students in learning basic nutrition principles, anatomy and physiology for exercise, body structure, and function to help build a foundation for Nationally recognized certification programs through American Council on Exercise and Precision Nutrition. Content from this program also covers career exploration, First Aid/AED training needed for certification exams, practical experience, and networking.

    Certification prep courses cover personal training, health coaching, and group fitness. With this degree, you will also have the opportunity to gain your Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coaching certification. The program faculty facilitate professional networking and community engagement to get you in the industry and employed in record time.

    In your final semester, you will work with clients alongside faculty to gain industry-specific experience. You will also learn the technology trends used to enhance coaching such as online training, podcasting, social media marketing, sponsorships, selling principles, and business communication.   

    Program Details

    Students in the Fitness and Wellness Specialist program attend part-time.

    Fitness and Wellness Specialist classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

    • Madison - Truax

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    Careers

    After completing the Fitness & Wellness specialist program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to seek employment in the following areas:

    • Fitness & Wellness Specialist 
    • Personal Training 
    • Group Fitness
    • Health Coaching
    • Nutrition Coach 
    • Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness Business Owner 
    • Sports Performance Coach
    • Youth Sports Coach

    Interested in an associate degree in Fitness, Wellness & Recreation?
    Did you know almost all your credits from the Fitness and Wellness Specialist program will transfer to our 2-year program? Stick around for a few more semesters to gain skills in leadership, marketing, programming, event planning, facility design and operation, and much more!

  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2023-2024 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    Second Semester
    10-109-159
    3 credits
    10-109-176
    3 credits
    10-104-114
    3 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.

    Application Dates

    Spring 2023

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2023

    Fall 2023

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2023

    Spring 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2024

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion

    Students must submit official transcripts for one of the following:

    • High school (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing completion of an associate degree or higher
      • Note: Effective with the 2023-2024 year, this may be fulfilled with at least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College. 

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

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    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Fitness and Wellness Specialist career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Fitness and Wellness Specialist program at Madison College, you will be able to:

    • Relate foundations of physical fitness, health and wellness to the stages of the human lifespan.
    • Facilitate physical activity to meet the needs of a variety of populations.
    • Adhere to safety rules and regulations governing the fitness industry.
    • Integrate leadership techniques to enhance fitness experiences for individuals and groups.
    • Align fitness business procedures to management, marketing, and finance goals.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      201920202021
      Number of Program Graduates10618
      Number of Surveys Sent10618
      Number of Surveys Returned7312
      Percent of Surveys Returned70.00%50.00%66.70%
      Available for Employment6311
      Percent Available for Employment85.70%100.00%91.70%
      Not in Labor Market101
      Percent Not in Labor Market14.30%0.00%8.30%
      Available for Employment

      201920202021
      Graduates Employed6311
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation426
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation66.70%66.70%54.50%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation215
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation33.30%33.30%45.50%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment000
      Percent Seeking Employment0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      201920202021
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.63.33.8
      Number of Satisfaction Responses7312
      Very Satisfied (4)4110
      Percent Very Satisfied57.10%33.30%83.30%
      Satisfied (3)322
      Percent Satisfied42.90%66.70%16.70%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)000
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      201920202021
      Number of Primary Reason Responses7312
      Preparation for Getting a Job310
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job42.90%33.30%0.00%
      Career Change316
      Percent Career Change42.90%33.30%50.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills003
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills0.00%0.00%25.00%
      Preparation for Further Education112
      Percent Preparation for Further Education14.30%33.30%16.70%
      Personal Interest001
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%0.00%8.30%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      201920202021
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses6211
      Before Enrollment115
      Percent Before Enrollment16.70%50.00%45.50%
      While Attending the College303
      Percent While Attending the College50.00%0.00%27.30%
      After Training at the College213
      Percent After Training at the College33.30%50.00%27.30%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      201920202021
      Number of Employment Location Responses6311
      In College District5311
      Percent In College District83.30%100.00%100.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin100
      Percent Outside Wisconsin16.70%0.00%0.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend201920202021
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count25
      Average Monthly Wage$4,128$2,907
      Average Hourly Wage$24.00$16.90
      Average Work Hours per Week38.341.6
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count11
      Average Hourly Wage$15.00$18.00
      Average Work Hours per Week1630
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2021
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Anytime FitnessPersonal Trainer
      Dept of Natural ResourcesPark & Recreation SpecialistBaraboo
      Keva Sports CenterAssistant Youth Sports DirectorMiddleton
      Oakwood VillageFitness & Wellness Specialist
      Orange Shoe Personal FitnessPersonal TrainerSun Prairie
      YMCAHead Swim Coach

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

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