Personal Trainer Diploma 
Loading... The demand for educated and certified personal trainers has never been greater. The Personal Trainer program gives students the hands-on experience and specialized personal trainer knowledge they need to become a certified personal trainer able to sustain a lucrative personal trainer career. Students will receive specialized training in one or more certifications and be given the opportunity to gain valuable experience by completing two supervised practicum in this growing industry. The curriculum is rich with courses geared specifically toward preparing students to be very knowledgeable about the fitness industry and very competent in their personal skills. Students will not be required to repeat any training for which they have current certification. The diploma program incorporates both theory and practical components. The theory courses, many of which are university transferable, provide the student with the background information necessary to understand the structure and function of the human body and its adaptations to exercise. The practicums provide an opportunity for students to network with local fitness businesses and shadow, interview, and be mentored by successful fitness professionals. The practicum experience also includes working with real personal training clients (assessing physical fitness levels, formulating and delivering appropriate fitness programming, and conducting training sessions) in a 10 week supervised practicum.
Admission Requirements
For admission into the Personal Trainer Diploma, an overall average of 50% in the following Alberta Education courses or equivalents is required. See Entrance Requirements tables for courses within groups A or C.
- English 30-1 or English 30-2
- One subject from Group A or C, or Physical Education 30, or one of Social Studies 30-1 or Social Studies 30-2. (Biology 30 is recommended)
Mature Student Admission
Students 21 years of age or older who do not meet the stated admission requirements must attain a minimum score on an appropriate entrance test before acceptance into the program is granted.
Part-Time Student Admission
Students may enrol in up to two courses without admission to the program. Upon successful completion of two courses, if students wish to continue in the program, they will be expected to apply to the program and meet all admission requirements. Once students have met all admission requirements and received admission to the program, they will be granted credit for courses successfully completed prior to admission.
Program Curriculum
First year (30 credits)
- PA1981 Instruction of the Basics of Aerobic Training (3)
- PE1000 Structural Anatomy (3)
- PE1015 Essentials of Human Physiology(3)
- PE1030 Integrative Human Physiology (3)
- PE1210 Introduction to Personal Physical Fitness (3)
- PE2060 Biomechanics (3)
- PE2420 Introduction to Nutrition for Exercise and Performance (3)
- PF1900 Group Exercise Fundamentals (3)
- PF1980 Leadership in Resistance Training (3)
- PF2900 Fitness Assessment and Advanced Counseling (3)
Second year (30 credits)
- BA1040 Small Business Entrepreneurship (3)
- PE2000 Exercise Physiology (3)
- PE2400 Introduction to Sports Injuries (3)
- PE3030 Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (3)
- PF1910 Fitness Practicum (3)
- PF2910 Advanced Fitness Practicum (3)
- PF2920 Certified Personal Trainer Exercise Prescription (3)
- PF2970 Fitness Management (3)
- PF2980 Advanced Training Methodologies (3)
- PF2990 Corrective Exercise Strategies (3)
Progression Criteria
A full-time student in the Diploma program who fails one course in a semester will be placed on contractual departmental probation for the following semester. Failure to meet the probation requirements may result in forced withdrawal from the full-time program for one full semester.
A full-time student in the Diploma program who fails two or more courses in any one semester will be required to withdraw for one full semester from the full-time program. Readmission to the program will be subject to review.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate with a Personal Trainer Diploma students must successfully complete all program requirements. If students meet these requirements, they may apply to graduate.
Following completion of the Northwestern Polytechnic Personal Trainer Diploma, students will be prepared to write the CSEP-CPT National Exam and complete the CSEP-CPT Practical Exam.
To obtain CSEP-CPT certification, students must provide a copy of their official Northwestern Polytechnic transcripts stating that they have completed their Personal Trainer Diploma to the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP).
Contact Information
