Pump up your career prospects with an associate degree in health and fitness

Earning an associate degree in health & fitness can be the first step toward a career working in the sports, medical and recreational communities. With a health-related educational path, studies may focus on aspects of nutrition, weight loss and both wellness and sickness in the community. In fitness-oriented study, you may narrow in on personal training, recreation and group athletics.

Careers for health & fitness degree graduates

An associate degree in health & fitness is a great way to prepare for more advanced study, or to earn the credential often needed to obtain entry- and mid-level work. Here are five health & fitness related professions that degree holders in the field may enjoy:

Athletic trainers help athletes train for top performance and recover from injuries. Trainers earned an estimated mean wage of $44,020 in 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were about 15,260 people employed in this field during the same year.

Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors lead participants in sports fundamentals, exercise activities and serve as personal trainers in private sessions. Over a quarter million people worked in this capacity in 2009 and earned an average wage of $35,340.

Coaches and scouts coach high school, collegiate or pro sports teams, and visit rival teams' games to observe the competitors' strengths and weaknesses. Coaches and scouts in May 2009 earned an average salary of $35,740.

Recreation workers organize and administrate sports events, music productions, arts and crafts shows and other recreational activities. The average wage in 2009 was $25,040 and an estimated 286,230 men and women were employed as recreation workers that same year.

Umpires, referees and other sports officials earned a mean wage of $28,490 in May 2009 and an estimated 14,860 people worked in this field. Sports officials oversee athletic events, determine rule infractions, set penalties and force adherence to the rules.

Campus-based or online associate degree in health & fitness

Students can earn a health & fitness degree in both traditional on-site colleges as well as through distance learning. The advantages of campus-based schools include on-site instructors, classroom participation and social activities. Online schools provide flexible scheduling, instructor interaction via the Internet and can be less expensive due to a lack of commute and no parking fees.

Students studying toward a campus-based or online associate degree in health & fitness may find a variety of classes available. Typical coursework in a health & fitness degree program includes:

• Biomechanics and exercise
• First aid
• Human anatomy
• Kinesiology
• Muscle activation techniques
• Nutrition
• Physiology

Associate degrees can usually be completed in two years, although some may be shorter or take longer depending on the program and your scheduling.

Financial aid is available for qualifying students, active and reserve military personnel and veterans. Contact the college of interest to investigate federal, state, local and special grants and student loans. A college career counselor assists students in finding the best financial aid packages available.

An associate degree in health & fitness can be a great way to pump up your career. There's no better time than now.

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