Course Descriptions

Business Development and Entrepreneurship in Fitness
Instructor: Bob Esquerre, MA, MES, NSCA-CPT
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.

Financial Principles and Business Concepts
Instructor: Lisa Coors, MBA, ACE-CES
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.

Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service Management (CSM)
Instructor: Lisa Coors, MBA, ACE-CES
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.

Fitness Management and Business Administration
Instructor: Bob Esquerre, MA, MES, NSCA-CPT
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.

Optional Elective Course
Optional Elective-Field Internship in Fitness Management
Instructor: Bob Esquerre, MA, MES, NSCA-CPT
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.