Course Descriptions
Fee per course: $249
The cost for textbooks/course materials is listed
here.
Students receive a book list and instructions for ordering the books when given access
to the course
Course 1: Business Development and Entrepreneurship in Fitness
Instructor: Dan Ritchie, Ph.D, CSCS
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.
Course 2: Financial Principles and Business Concepts
Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
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.
Course 3: Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service Management (CSM)
Instructor: Dan Ritchie, Ph.D, CSCS
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.
Course 4: Fitness Management and Business Administration
Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
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.
Course 5: Optional Elective Course
Course 5: Optional Elective-Field Internship in Fitness Business Management
Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
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.
