STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA

Online Certificate in
Fitness Business Management

The Online Professional Certificate in Fitness Business Management is an interactive, comprehensive Web-based Certificate program with an optional field internship elective course.  It is designed as a “one-of-a-kind” Program that teaches students how to manage a Personal Training Program &/or Fitness Department as a Strategic Business Unit (S.B.U.). This Program will provide students with a reality-based framework and practical training skills necessary to prepare certificate graduates to work as a Fitness Manager in both commercial and non-commercial based health clubs in either the United States &/or overseas. 

This program is offered in partnership with IDEA Health & Fitness Association, Health Club Managers, Inc., and Personal Fitness Professional (PFP).

This program is offered in an open enrollment format, meaning
 you can register at anytime and once logged in, you have 8 weeks
 to complete the course(s) you registered for.

Click here to review a detailed Certificate Program Fact Sheet.
Click here for a list of CECs/CEUs.


Certificate Course Descriptions
Course 1: Business Development and Entrepreneurship in Fitness
Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
This course examines the planning process for starting a new venture, as well as    the most common approaches to develop a strategic business plan for specific types   of health and fitness-related facilities. The course presents the skill-sets and competencies that the fitness manager needs in order to be a successful entrepreneur, owner, or department head. Studies of topics include planning   policies and procedures, entrepreneurship, business plan development, budget formulation, and strategic planning. 

Course 2: Financial Principles and Business Concepts
Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
This course provides an introduction to financial and managerial accounting concepts, revenue and budgetary procedures, and the financial status necessary to be a successful business entity in the fitness industry. Topics include fee structures, financial impact analysis, price setting strategies, financial forecasting, and the relationship between financial analysis and strategic business planning. The    course examines additional business concepts including purchasing, contractual agreements, risk management and negligence, technology issues, and other fiscal concerns.  

Course 3: Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service Management (CSM)
Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of how successful marketing and branding guides a company’s business strategy and influences, discovers, and creates a demand for fitness services and products. Examination of the elements of the marketing mix as they pertain to the fitness enterprise include sales and    service management strategies, customer relationship management methods, and sales techniques in fitness. 

Course 4: Fitness Management and Business Administration
Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
This course provides an examination of the organization and administration of for profit and not-for-profit health/fitness facilities, with emphasis on business management principles and operational concepts, including organizational structure, facility management, industry standards and guidelines, personnel management, and management practices. The course helps the fitness manager develop leadership skills, managerial or administrative skills, and interpersonal or human skills. The course is supplemented by the analysis and review of fitness management situations through observations and case studies. 

Course 5: Optional Elective-Field Internship in Fitness Business Management 
Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
Prerequisite: 4 Core Courses
NOTE: This course is an optional course and is not required to receive the Professional Certificate. Learn to work with professionals in the fitness and health industry for a Fitness Management experience interning at fitness facilities and health centers. Students intern for 60 total hours in this course.