FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Friday, December 2, 2005 - Personal trainers will become increasingly popular as more and more individuals resolve to become physically fit in 2006 and beyond.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau publication Occupatonal Outlook Handbook, overall employment for personal trainers is expected to increase 44 percent from 2002 to 2012.

San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies will help train prospective workers in this field with its Personal Fitness Trainer Online Professional Certificate program.

The Professional Certificate in Personal Fitness Training through SDSU is a five-month program offered exclusively online designed to supply essential education integrating exercise science curriculum, practical training techniques, and a field internship experience. This program is designed for fitness professionals from all fields, allied health professionals, physical therapists, chiropractors, physicians, wellness consultants, physical education teachers, nutritionists, and individuals seeking a new career as a fitness professional.

The online curriculum allows students to fit courses into their busy work and home schedules, go online wherever they are, and complete the certificate and internship assignment. Graduates will be able to maintain current employment if desired, but will be uniquely positioned to obtain careers in a variety of settings. Students will learn how to apply their client's health history, goals, and abilities into a systematic model that progresses individuals through different training levels and phases.

Advantages of the SDSU Professional Certificate Program include:

• Ongoing guidance, instruction, and interaction from faculty members that hold either a Master's or Ph.D. degree in exercise science, biomechanics, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, nutrition, or an exercise science-related degree.
• A professional certificate from a nationally accredited state university.
• College courses that provide continuing education credits or continuing education units for personal trainers, group fitness instructors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, RD's, chiropractors, and for those fitness and health professionals seeking re-certification or career advancement.

The program is comprised of eight core courses and an optional field internship elective. You may take one course at a time. However, the program has been designed and sequenced to be taken in three consecutive modules. A new set of courses will be available every six weeks. It is highly recommended that the courses be taken in sets of three as indicated when registering so you won't get behind.

For more information or to register, call (619) 594-6255 or visit www.NeverStopLearning.net.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers more than 30 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. For more information on the cutting-edge opportunities being offered, visit the College's web site at www.NeverStopLearning.net.