Fitness and Health Promotion
Helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle.
- Students are eligible to challenge nationally-recognized certifications in Group Fitness and Personal Training
- Placements in the final three semesters allow students to explore opportunities and work towards personal career goals
- Fitness and Health graduates can consider a pathway into Recreation and Leisure Services the opportunity to earn two diplomas in three years
Program Availability and Schedule
Availability
Availability varies by course. Click here to view availability for courses in this program.
Schedule
Given the part-time delivery of this program, there is not a standard schedule for all learners.
Program Summary
Credential
Program Code
Area of Interest
Other Campuses
Other Delivery Options
Work Integrated Learning
Eligible for Post-Graduation
Work Permit?
The two-year Fitness and Health Promotion Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to perform the roles and responsibilities of fitness and health consultants who plan, promote and deliver a wide variety of services. These include activity and educational programs that enhance the health, fitness and well-being of individuals and groups in diverse settings.
In this program, you learn the skills and knowledge to live a fit and healthy lifestyle, which, in turn, allows you to help others achieve their own health and lifestyle goals. You prepare to meet the demands of an evolving, multi-dimensional market for fitness, wellness and health promotion service provision....(read more)
Overview
Helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle.
The two-year Fitness and Health Promotion Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to perform the roles and responsibilities of fitness and health consultants who plan, promote and deliver a wide variety of services. These include activity and educational programs that enhance the health, fitness and well-being of individuals and groups in diverse settings.
In this program, you learn the skills and knowledge to live a fit and healthy lifestyle, which, in turn, allows you to help others achieve their own health and lifestyle goals. You prepare to meet the demands of an evolving, multi-dimensional market for fitness, wellness and health promotion service provision.
Field placements in the program provide industry experience. These varied placements allow you to apply the skills and knowledge gained in classes to a workplace setting, as well as gain exposure to potential employers and add to your overall marketability and employability after graduation.
This program prepares you to challenge certification exams in group fitness and personal training with canfitproTM and personal training with Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). You are also prepared to pursue other certifications in group fitness and personal training nationally and internationally.
Upon graduating, you may find employment in the fitness industry in a variety of settings. These may include:
- fitness and health clubs (both corporately or privately owned)
- non-profit and community organizations
- public, municipal or institutional fitness and recreation centres
- corporate employer fitness facilities, private fitness studios
- sports specialty training facilities and camps
- allied health and alternative health clinics
Additionally, you may choose to become a consultant or business entrepreneur offering private in-person or online personal training and coaching services.
To qualify for this diploma, you must complete the program within six years.
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Believe in the value of an active and healthy lifestyle.
- Are interested in advocating other's physical activity and wellness.
- Enjoy learning about the human body and how it works.
- Have strong interpersonal and personal management skills or wish to develop those skills.
- Are comfortable speaking in front of small and medium-sized groups or wish to develop those skills.
Courses
Read this before applying:
Please refer to the Academic Planner or Archived Program Information to confirm the courses required for your Program of Study version.
Online  |
Careers & Pathways
Careers
Graduates may find employment as personal trainers, fitness instructors, program coordinators, activity coordinators, exercise therapists, exercise specialists, rehabilitation assistants, health promoters. In addition, graduates may choose to become consultants or business entrepreneurs.
Pathways
Please note: There may be more pathways available for this program than are listed here. Please use our Pathways search tool to see every option.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Conduct an assessment of the physical fitness, activity level and lifestyle of the client using standardized protocols, to build an individualized exercise program.
- Develop, implement and evaluate safe training programs grounded in fundamentals of anatomy, bio-mechanics, cardiorespiratory physiology, and nutrition to support the fitness and wellness goals of clients.
- Instruct individual clients and groups in the correct techniques for executing fitness and training programs to achieve results that meet their goals for fitness, active living, and wellness.
- Select and apply interview tools and coaching strategies that will enable clients and groups improve their fitness, and wellness in sustainable ways.
- Develop business plans for a fitness and/or training business organization to ensure sustainability and viability while mitigating risks.
- Support community health promotion strategies for active healthy living in the general population.
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with clients, staff, allied health professionals and volunteers in the delivery of programs, activities, and the use of facilities.
- Provide positive reinforcement to empower clients and help them sustain their efforts.
- Develop plans and implement strategies for ongoing professional growth and development.
- Communicate information persuasively and accurately in oral, written, and other media formats.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Tuition & Fees
2024/2025 Academic Year
Fees are subject to change.
Fees for part-time programs are charged on a course-by-course basis and are published on each individual course page. For questions related to fees, please call the Registrar's Office at 613-727-0002.
Graduation Fee:
Once you have completed all the courses in the program, it is the responsibility of the student to complete a credential application (https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/certificationgraduating/). A graduation fee is charged when the application is submitted. After your credential application has been approved, you will be invited to Convocation.
Additional program related expenses include:
Books, supplies and optional project materials cost approximately $600 per term. Supplies can be purchased at the campus store.
Admissions Requirements
All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.
College Eligibility
The following requirements are recommended to ensure success in the program:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; OR
- Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
- General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
- Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program).
Program Eligibility
The following requirement is recommended to ensure success in the program:
- English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
- Biology, Grade 11 or 12 or Chemistry, Grade 11 or 12 or Physics, Grade 11 or 12 or Health and Physical Education, Grade 12 (PLF4C,PSK4U,PPL4O,PAF40 or Equivalent).
- It is recommended applicants with international transcripts have the following IELTS or TOEFL scores to ensure success: IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT) Overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 110, minimum of 110 in Literacy and no score below 95.
POLICE RECORDS CHECK DOCUMENTATION:
Though not an admission requirement, applicants must note important information listed below regarding Police Record Check program requirements.
Students must provide the College with a current Police Records Check (PRC) prior to the deadline identified by the department and students are responsible for any associated costs. If this documentation is not submitted on time, students may not be placed and registration in the program will be jeopardized. If you register in the program without a clear PRC and as a result is unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate and will be asked to withdraw.
FIELD PLACEMENT ELIGIBILITY:
Field placements occur in the first and second year of the program.
Hospital and Field Placements/Outreach require Health and Saftey, WHMIS and OWHSA training prior to placements. There are additional costs associated with training that should be anticipated by students which are not covered by tuition fees.
To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of Standard First Aid certification, CPR/AED level C, as well as a PRC; and complete immunization (if required by placement agency) through Paramed and pay associated costs.
Should you require further information, please contact AC Online at online@algonquincollege.com or 613-727-4723 ext. 3330.
Application Information
Read this before applying:
Please refer to the Academic Planner or Archived Program Information to confirm the courses required for your Program of Study version.
Additional Information
Program Resources
International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for International fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.
Field placements provide on-the-job training and experience, contributing to the overall marketability and employability of graduates.
WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING OVERVIEW
The FHP program includes two Field Project and two Field Placement courses, undertaken in each level of the program. Students will gain experience in the fitness environment and workplace through both the project and placement courses. In the final level placement, students should be identifying their career goals and choosing an agency that is in their field of interest.
Students are responsible for securing their own placement locations and will have additional guidance in this process from the course facilitator. Field placement hours can be completed all at once or in varying time periods throughout the term. All placement hours must be completed by the final day of the term.
ACADEMI PROBATION
Students who have two or more F grades in a given term or whose term grade point average falls below 1.7 are considered to be on academic probation (Policy AA14 Grading System). This requires the student to meet with their Program Support Officer to sign a learning contract which identifies the conditions which must be met to continue in the program. Students who do not meet the terms of their learning contract are withdrawn from the program.
PLACEMENT ELIGIBILITY:
In order to be eligible for field projects and placements, students must meet the following requirements prior to the placement deadline:
- Academic Clearance: With the exception of FIT2219 which is undertaken in the first semester of the program, students must complete all required prerequisite courses prior to the placement start date.
- Placement Request Form: Students are required to submit a placement request form prior to each placement deadline.
- ParaMed Clearance: Students are required to meet the following medical and non-medical requirements. Upon completion, these requirements must be confirmed through ParaMed, our partner organization: a. Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS); b. Standard First Aid/CPR Level C.
- Secure an appropriate placement agency: It is the student's responsibility to confirm their placement agency, dates, hours, etc. Supports will be provided by the course facilitator and further information can be found on the Field Placement Centre website: https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/field-placement.
ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under 'Part-time Students' on the left-hand toolbar.
PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.
PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms, the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resume). For more information, please contact your Program Support Officer (https://www.algonquincollege.com/academic-success/ac-online/).
Contact
Future Students
For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.
Current Students
For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.