Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritional Specialist is a Certificate program (100% Online) offered by U.S. Career Institute in Fort Collins, CO. The program takes 428 clock hours to complete, with a total tuition of $989.
Program Overview
U.S. Career Institute’s self-paced, online Personal Training Certificate Program will prepare you for certification (NCSF) an entry-level role as a personal trainer in as little as 4 months.
This program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level employment in the fitness industry. The program offers a foundation in exercise physiology and nutrition, focusing on overall wellness and health. Students receive technical training on improving flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory fitness and nutrition. Students also conduct health and fitness assessments and design appropriate fitness and nutrition programs for a vast segment of the population, including those with special needs. In addition, they will be trained to implement business and marketing strategies and effectively employ communication skills. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions in public and private health clubs, corporate health facilities, private residences, small fitness studios, spas and large resort health facilities.
What sets this Program apart
- 5-day money-back commitment
- DEAC Accredited
- 100% online, self-paced classes, on your phone or computer
- Complete in 4-8 months, part-time
- One-on-one career coaching and instructor support
- Start learning today - no waiting period!
- A+ BBB Rating, 45 years in distance education, and 97% of students would recommend U.S. Career Institute to a friend.
- The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.
Lead instructor/course expert. Jeanie Sutter is a consultant and subject matter expert for U.S. Career Institute. She has been involved in fitness throughout her life, as an athlete, coach, trainer and sports fan. Upon completion of a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from Boise State University, she pursued personal training and founded Mind Body Design, LLC. The focus of the company is to bring expert personal training to a client's home.
Admission Requirements and Process
To qualify for enrollment in the Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritional Specialist Program, an applicant must:
- Certify that she/he is a high school graduate, holds a state-approved Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or its equivalent, or has completed college-level coursework; or otherwise demonstrate ability to perform postsecondary-level coursework (including test evidence).
- Submit a completed enrollment application with the required payment.
- Be at least 16 years of age.
U.S. Career Institute is an open enrollment school: as long as the applicant meets the admissions requirements for minimum education and age, they will be accepted into the school. Students must be able to read, write and speak English fluently. Students aged 16 and 17 may be admitted provided their parent or guardian signs the enrollment agreement; students under the age of 16 cannot be admitted. Applicants who do not meet the high school diploma or equivalent requirement are allowed to use test evidence to show they can benefit from the program: the first five grades the student receives serve as the basis for test evidence, and a “C” GPA meets the minimum education requirement. Most professional certification agencies have minimum age requirements (typically 18) to sit for a certification exam.
General Requirements
- Minimum ageYou must be at least 16 years old; students aged 16 and 17 need a parent or guardian to sign the enrollment agreement.
- High school diploma or GEDYou need a high school diploma or GED, or college-level coursework; otherwise you may use test evidence to show you can benefit from the program.
- EnglishYou must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.
- Basic informationThe enrollment form asks for your name, email, phone, date of birth and education level.
- Enrollment agreementYou must submit a completed enrollment application or agreement with the required payment.
Application Process
- 1Ask your questionsRequest information online or call U.S. Career Institute toll-free at 866-250-6851 to learn more.
- 2Provide basic informationThe form asks for your name, email, phone, date of birth and education level.
- 3Pay for your tuitionYou can pay in full or choose the monthly payment plan.
- 4Sign the enrollment agreement and disclosuresEnrollment takes about 5 minutes; the school accepts enrollments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- 5Start your first lessonUpon enrollment, students have immediate access to their program online, with 12 months to complete it.
Program Schedule
The Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritional Specialist program is 428 clock hours, delivered in 29 lessons with 29 quizzes. Students can complete it in 4-8 months, studying part-time. Classes are 100% online and self-paced, on your phone or computer, with no due dates or deadlines.
The program is designed for guided independent study through distance learning, and is self-paced. Each program is designed to be completed in 12 months or less; the student has 12 months after enrollment to complete the program, and a student who needs more time should follow the leave of absence procedure. The school accepts enrollments 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and upon enrollment students have immediate access to their program online. All quizzes are open book.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
U.S. Career Institute is committed to making your personal training education affordable. Start a new career that you’ll love and find fulfilling without a mountain of debt!
- Option 1, pay in full: $789 (save $200); the application charge is waived.
- Option 2, monthly auto payments: $989 in total at $69 a month, with a first payment of $69, plus a one-time $29 application charge.
First payment includes $40 down payment and $29 application charge. Application charge is non-refundable.
5-day money-back commitment. After you receive your first lesson, you have 5 full days to decide if our program is the best route for you.
Funding. U.S. Career Institute participates in military education benefit programs and the MyCAA spouse support tuition program; specific questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the Veterans Administration by calling 1-888-GIBILL1. U.S. Career Institute also participates in various employer-paid and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. U.S. Career Institute does not participate in other financial aid programs.
All enrollments are assessed a one-time $29 application charge (2026 catalog price list). Students who wish to purchase textbooks or manuals may do so for an additional charge.
Required Courses
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Career Outcomes
Upon graduation from our program, you will receive your U.S. Career Institute Certificate of Completion attesting to your accomplishment. U.S. Career Institute’s Personal Fitness Trainer program prepares you to sit for the Personal Trainer Certification Exam administered by the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF).
Your NCSF exam, study guide and practice test are included in your tuition – up to $388 value! People are taking better care of themselves today than ever before. As a fully trained Personal Fitness Trainer and Nutritional Specialist, you can work for gyms and fitness studios, spas, resorts, clinics, health clubs, corporate health facilities, private residences, pro sports teams, cruise lines or even start your own business as a Personal Trainer, from home! Job growth for personal trainers is over 3x greater than all other jobs by 2034.
What to expect as a U.S. Career Institute student
Beginner-Friendly Lessons. Classes are designed for anyone to easily learn, and are broken up into digestible sections that build as you progress through our program. No due dates or deadlines.
Engaging Curriculum. Reading lessons, supplemental videos, interactive games, flashcards, note taking, read-aloud and disability features, and open note multiple choice quizzes with no time limit.
Jeanie Sutter, M.S.
Student support and coaching. Your tuition includes access to instructors via phone and email, student services, tutoring, resume and job interview support, and one-on-one career coaching (a $400 value).
Learning materials included. Your tuition includes e-books, study guides, supplemental videos, and interactive exercises. Hard copy books are also available for under $50. Everything is included - no hidden fees after enrollment.
Grading and graduation. To graduate, students must submit all quizzes, attain a final average of 70% or higher, have a signed enrollment agreement on file and have paid tuition in full; U.S. Career Institute then releases the Certificate of Completion. Students with a grade point average of 93 or higher are awarded a seat on the Dean’s List.
Graduate support. U.S. Career Institute provides continuing employment instruction and advice, including training in job-search techniques, résumé and letter writing, interviewing and presentation skills, available to all graduates whenever they request it. The school cannot promise or guarantee employment and does not provide job placement services.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
U.S. Career Institute is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. It is approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.
Curriculum
The Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritional Specialist program totals 428 clock hours, taught in 5 instruction packs, listed below as the course outline.
U.S. Career Institute’s curriculum is developed specifically for the distance education learner by instructional designers who specialize in how to develop content for adults and well-qualified subject matter experts to ensure quality content. In addition, USCI works with a program advisory council of non-USCI employees who work in the exercise science field to review content annually to ensure students receive content that is up-to-date, relevant, and accurate.
The Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritional Specialist Program trains students in the theoretical instruction and practical skills that prepare them for entry-level work as personal fitness trainers, corporate wellness professionals, fitness center trainers or wellness consultants. Upon completion of this program, graduates will be trained to:
- Apply the skills needed to obtain entry-level personal fitness and nutritional specialist positions.
- Demonstrate the functions of fitness equipment, including machines, free weights, fit balls, weight benches and more.
- Explain the science of exercise, including muscle mass and flexibility.
- Evaluate a client’s body composition, muscle strength, muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness, using fat mass and heart rate calculations.
- Explain the role of fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals and water in nutrition.
- Calculate the calories necessary to maintain or lose weight and increase or decrease muscle mass.
- Develop exercise programs and nutritional guidance programs for individual clients.
- Discuss ethics, boundaries and confidentiality in relation to starting a business.
- Explain informed consent and the standards of professional conduct.
- Apply mental assessment tools to help motivate and aid clients.
Required Courses
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Frequently Asked Questions
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