Skip to content

coronavirus Visit the all-new COVID-19 Support Center for expert business support, tools and products, and the latest in fitness-related pandemic information.

IDEA Health & Fitness Association
  • Membership
    • Join IDEA today!
    • IDEA Code of Ethics
    • Equity & Inclusion Pledge
  • Conferences
    • IDEA World Virtual
    • IDEA Personal Trainer Institute
    • IDEA World Club & Studio Summit
    • IDEA Korea Convention
    • Become an Exhibitor
    • Advertise / Exhibitors
    • Event Coverage
  • Insurance
    • Health Insurance NEW
    • Professional Liability Insurance
    • Club & Studio Liability Insurance
  • Education
    • IDEA Courses
    • IDEA Fitness Journal Courses
    • IDEA Certificate Courses
    • Advanced Specialist Courses
    • IDEAFit TV
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
  • Resources
    • FitPost
    • Client Newsletter
    • Workout Builder
    • Fit Pro Forum
    • Career Advice
    • Job Board
    • Advertise with us
    • Covid-19 updates
  • Pro Directory
    • Find a Personal Trainer
    • Find a Fitness Class
    • Find a Gym or Studio
    • Find a Nutritionist
  • Articles
    • Personal Training
    • Group Fitness
    • Nutrition
    • Business
    • Mind-Body / Recovery
    • Publications
    • Podcasts
×
  • Membership
    • Join IDEA today!
    • IDEA Code of Ethics
    • Equity & Inclusion Pledge
  • Conferences
    • IDEA World Virtual
    • IDEA Personal Trainer Institute
    • IDEA World Club & Studio Summit
    • IDEA Korea Convention
    • Become an Exhibitor
    • Advertise / Exhibitors
    • Event Coverage
  • Insurance
    • Health Insurance NEW
    • Professional Liability Insurance
    • Club & Studio Liability Insurance
  • Education
    • IDEA Courses
    • IDEA Fitness Journal Courses
    • IDEA Certificate Courses
    • Advanced Specialist Courses
    • IDEAFit TV
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
  • Resources
    • FitPost
    • Client Newsletter
    • Workout Builder
    • Fit Pro Forum
    • Career Advice
    • Job Board
    • Advertise with us
    • Covid-19 updates
  • Pro Directory
    • Find a Personal Trainer
    • Find a Fitness Class
    • Find a Gym or Studio
    • Find a Nutritionist
  • Articles
    • Personal Training
    • Group Fitness
    • Nutrition
    • Business
    • Mind-Body / Recovery
    • Publications
    • Podcasts
Log in

I just got a degree in exercise science, what certification would you recommend getting next?

ADVERTISEMENT
428 viewsDecember 29, 2014
0
Avatar
Jeanette December 29, 2014 0 Comments

5 Answers

  • Active
  • Voted
  • Newest
  • Oldest
0
Harris
Harris12 Posted 0 Comments

Hi Jeanette,

It all depends on the type of clients you are looking to work with. Once you have that figure out (if you haven’t already), then choosing the right certification for you should be easy. Every organization out there offers a variety of certifications which you choose which one will be appropriate for you. Just be sure it’s NCCA accredited.

Good luck!

Best,
Harris

0
Avatar
Paul0 Posted 0 Comments

Hi Jeannette,
I’m with Harris – it really depends on what type of training you want to specialize in. For instance, if you want to train athletes, I would go with the NSCA. On the other hand, if you wanted to work in a more clinical setting, I would probably go with a certification from the ACSM. But there are plenty of certifications that fall in between those two – just check the NCCA website to make sure it’s an accredited organization. Good luck Jeannette & congratulations on getting your degree.

Paul Thomas
www.homeworkoutguy.com

0
Avatar
Ariadne-2 Posted 0 Comments

You do not say what the degree is or where you were studying, but I would ask whether your school had any available career counseling. Even if you just graduated you might be able to access that help. In any field there are many different kinds of opportunities…. many different career paths a particular degree can open up to you.

Are you planning to work as a personal trainer? In fitness management or marketing? In health promotion.

Do you prefer to work in a hospital setting? A large club?

Do you want to be your own boss? Do you prefer to be part of a team?

Do you prefer working with a group, or with individuals?

With some paths you may want to explore working toward a second degree, such as physical therapy or nutrition or occupational therapy, for example, in addition to specialty certification.

With others having an exercise science degree is already something that will set you apart, and it is a question of which certification is best for what you want to do. And both Harris and Paul give great advice.

If you start by narrowing your list to ones that are NCCA accredited you will rule out a lot of inexpensive and often worthless options. I’ve worked in a few places that will accept many different certifications, but require them to be NCCA accredited.

Think about what you want to specialize in, look at places you would like to work and see what they are looking for, or require. You could go for a general personal trainer certification, and/or a cert. that targets clearly the specialty in which you wish to work. But whatever you get you need to balance getting the most prestigious one you can get for the money and time you have to spend.

0
Avatar
Nancy7 Posted 0 Comments

Many places will hire you with a degree in exercise science, assuming that your education is even more extensive than a personal training certification. So perhaps get a job first and get some experience under your belt before determining whether you need a certification and if so, which is the most suited to you.

0
Avatar
Sue0 Posted 0 Comments

I agree that it depends on what you plan on doing
I strongly suggest that you choose a Nationally Accredited Certification such as ACSM, ACE or NASM

Register or Login

About IDEA

Press
History
Careers
IDEA Fitness Awards
Award Recipients
Inside IDEA
Event Coverage

Advertising & Exhibiting

Advertise with IDEA
Download our Media Kit
Become an Event Exhibitor

Connect With Us

+1 (800) 999-4332
Contact Us
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2020 IDEA Health & Fitness Association. All Rights Reserved.