Which is more valuable a Bachelor’s degree or specialized certifications?
I want to be taken seriously as a Personal Trainer. I’ve obtained my certification, but I want to continue my education so I can be a better trainer especially for those clients that are just starting their fitness journey and those that have had injuries or trying to lose a lot of weight. I am wondering what experienced trainers consider the best education a four year degree or numerous certifications.
A degree reflects your years of education, but it doesn’t necessarily tell people what you can do (or if you are sanctioned to do anything at all). Too many people thinks that a bachelor degree is all they need. What they don’t realize is that a degree doesn’t give anyone a scope of practice to work with.
A certification will give you that. A certification reflects what an organization feels you are capable of doing (with the training that you received). Some specialized certifications actually requires you to have at least a bachelor degree or be in the final year of your program (such as the NSCA CSCS). A bachelor degree will generally open up more doorways for you and allow you to obtain a lot of the certifications that requires a certain level of education as a prerequisite.