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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 Program Cost

$4,579.10

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • 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 2024

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

    Summer 2024

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

    Fall 2024

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

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025

    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

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate 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, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    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

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates61812
      Number of Surveys Sent61811
      Number of Surveys Returned31210
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment3118
      Percent Available for Employment100.00%91.70%88.90%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%8.30%22.20%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed3118
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation266
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation66.70%54.50%75.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation152
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation33.30%45.50%25.00%
      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

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.33.83.6
      Number of Satisfaction Responses3129
      Very Satisfied (4)1105
      Percent Very Satisfied33.30%83.30%55.60%
      Satisfied (3)224
      Percent Satisfied66.70%16.70%44.40%
      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

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses31210
      Preparation for Getting a Job106
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job33.30%0.00%60.00%
      Career Change160
      Percent Career Change33.30%50.00%0.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills030
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills0.00%25.00%0.00%
      Preparation for Further Education121
      Percent Preparation for Further Education33.30%16.70%10.00%
      Personal Interest012
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%8.30%20.00%
      Other001
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%10.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses2118
      Before Enrollment151
      Percent Before Enrollment50.00%45.50%12.50%
      While Attending the College031
      Percent While Attending the College0.00%27.30%12.50%
      After Training at the College136
      Percent After Training at the College50.00%27.30%75.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses3115
      In College District3114
      Percent In College District100.00%100.00%80.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin001
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%0.00%20.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count52
      Average Monthly Wage$2,907$3,632
      Average Hourly Wage$16.90$21.12
      Average Work Hours per Week41.647.5
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count13
      Average Hourly Wage$18.00$25.67
      Average Work Hours per Week3012.3
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Be FitnessPersonal TrainerDelafield
      D1 Training Madison WestFitness Coach
      Elite SportsPersonal TrainerBrookfield
      Esporta FitnessPersonal Training DirectorSt PetersburgFL
      UW - MadisonEMT Instructor

      * - 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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