Health & Fitness Program
Associate of Arts
Are you ready to start your career in one of the country’s fastest growing industries? Bay Mills Community College’s Health and Fitness program uses science-based learning with a hands-on approach to prepare you to work in the field or pursue an advanced degree.
The Health & Fitness curriculum is designed to provide students with the opportunity to acquire skills, knowledge, and competencies across multiple disciplines of exercise science. Graduates of this program will have a wide variety of entry-level career opportunities in areas such as rehabilitation specialist assistant, sport/fitness program director, personal fitness trainer, aerobics instructor, coach, health club specialist, and other fields of interest.
Get Certified
Our program will prepare you to take employer desired certification exams from a variety of national organizations, including the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) or the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
National Strength and Conditioning Association
- NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer
- Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (Bachelor’s Degree Required)
- Certified Performance and Sport Specialist (Bachelor’s Degree Required)
- Certified Special Populations Specialist (Bachelor’s Degree Required)
American College of Sports Medicine
- Group Exercise Instructor
- ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
- Exercise Physiologist (Bachelor’s Degree Required)
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist (Bachelor’s Degree Required)
Health & Fitness - Associate of Arts
Curriculum Map - General Education Health & Fitness
Employment Information
The health and fitness field is ever-growing and evolving. Healthcare is a $4 trillion dollar per year industry in the United States (CMS, 2023). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 14% from 2023 to 2033. This is considered much faster than average for all occupations. With the continuing struggle to find cures for diseases and ailments, there is a precedent being put on Health Specialists to help find ways to get the population to adopt healthier lifestyles. So, if you have a passion for healthy living, helping others, and having a rewarding career, then the Health and Fitness program at Bay Mills Community College is the program for YOU!
Salary Information
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, May 2023, the following are the national annual mean wages. Some positions may require additional degrees or certificates.
| Fitness Trainers and Instructors | $46,480 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $45,910 |
| Dietitian and Nutritionists | $69,680 |
| Massage Therapist | $55,310 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides | $58,740 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant and Aides | $65,450 |
Contact Us
To learn more about the Health & Fitness Program, please contact:
Tanecia Hallai
Health & Fitness Department Chair and Faculty
(906) 248-8475
[email protected]
See What Students are Saying about the Health & Fitness Program
“Learning hands-on at Bay Mills Community College and working at the Mukwa fitness
center has been invaluable to my future and the career path I am seeking. Using my
knowledge that I gained in the classroom and being able to help out the community
members at the Mukwa Fitness Center was my favorite part of my experience at BMCC.”
-- Mikayla, 2017 BMCC Graduate, Sault Tribal Health Center
“I really enjoyed being a part of the Health and Fitness program because it provided
me with the knowledge and skills to help others improve their fitness, reduce their
stress, and live healthier lives. Creating a healthy lifestyle not only improves your
body physically, but it can also help improve your life mentally. I also really enjoyed
the hands-on learning in the classrooms. In my opinion, that is the best way to learn”
-- Cassie, 2020 BMCC Graduate, Employed at Sault Tribal Health Center