Humber’s Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management graduate certificate program is designed to build on the knowledge you have acquired in your undergraduate degree. The program provides in-depth, hands-on instruction in the areas of fitness assessment, health and lifestyle counselling, exercise prescription and delivery, health promotion, group exercise leadership, health and fitness management, marketing and entrepreneurship, ergonomic assessment, and functional abilities assessment. Students learn in small groups instructed by expert faculty currently employed in the fitness and health industry.

Our advisory committee provides regular review and input into our curriculum, ensuring our program is always on the cutting edge of industry developments.

This program prepares students to challenge entry-to-practice examinations from various governing bodies. The combination of theoretical and practical learning is strongly displayed in program graduates’ success in these endeavours, successfully completing them at rates significantly higher than provincial averages of individuals challenging the credential requirements immediately after completion of an undergraduate degree.

Please note that certain courses in the program require students to participate in fitness classes that will involve physical activity, which may at times be vigorous. Questions about fitness classes and accommodations may be directed to the program co-ordinator (name and email details located in the Contact Us tab).

Experiential learning is an integral part of this program. The program features three unpaid field experiences. Two take place on campus and the third takes place off campus. During the on-campus placements, students provide fitness assessments and testing, physical activity counselling and prescription services to Humber and partnership employees as part of the Faculty of Healthy Sciences & Wellness Teaching and Learning Hub. Students also have the opportunity to run workshops. Throughout the on-campus field experience, students participate in seminars with their professors and classmates to critically analyze their experiences and develop the skills required for professional work.

The final field experience is a four-week block placement off campus with one of Humber’s industry partners.

Graduates of the Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management program, combined with the appropriate credential or designation, can look to pursue career opportunities as any of the following:

• exercise instructor (clinical)
• exercise physiologist
• group exercise instructor
• personal trainer
• registered kinesiologist/kinesiologist
• strength and conditioning coach

Certification Opportunities

Qualified graduates may have the opportunity to earn the following certifications and industry credentials and registration:

• Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Exercise Physiologist (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, CSEP)
• Fitness Instructor Specialist and Personal Trainer Specialist (Canadian Fitness Professionals - canfitpro)
• Certified Personal Trainer, Clinical Exercise Specialist (American College of Sports Medicine, ACSM)
• Personal Trainer Certification (American Council on Exercise, ACE)
• Certified Personal Trainer; Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (National Strength and Conditioning Association, NSCA)
• Registered Kinesiologist (College of Kinesiologists of Ontario, COKO)
• Functional Capacity Evaluator (Metriks)
• Certified Work Capacity Evaluator (The Roy Matheson System)

Additional requirements may apply.

Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.