Liberal Arts and Sciences—Liberal Studies Degree
Fitness Leadership & Exercise Science Concentration (LAX)

This program is for those students who would like to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, exercise physiology, or fitness management. With a bachelor’s degree, students may pursue fitness management careers at private and corporate fitness centers. Upon graduation from MWCC, students may pursue immediate employment at wellness or recreational agencies. In this program, students will learn in a state-of-the-art fitness & wellness center and gain in-depth knowledge of exercise science to increase their skills and make them more marketable to prospective employers.

Campus/format: This program can be completed during the day or evening at the Gardner Campus.

Helpful hints: Focusing on a particular area of study in biological sciences and exercise skills maybe helpful when pursuing a career. Students should have a commitment to their own physical fitness.

Transfer options: This program fulfills all requirements for the Commonwealth Transfer Compact (see pages 45-46). Joint Admissions agreements exist with state colleges and universities including Bridgewater and Fitchburg State, and UMASS Amherst and Lowell. Articulation agreements exist with Charter Oak State College, Fitchburg State College, and the University of Phoenix. A partnership exists with Amherst College. Most courses will also transfer to the following four-year colleges with comparable programs in exercise science and/or coaching: Springfield College, Worcester State College, Northeastern University, among others.

The Liberal Arts curricula closely parallel the general education curricula of the first two years required by most four-year colleges and universities. Visit MWCC’s transfer services website: http://transfer.mwcc.edu

Special requirements: Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

Career options: After earning a bachelor’s degree, students can pursue fitness management careers at private and corporate fitness centers.

Earning potential: $37,753 to $66,856 per year.

For more program information: Contact, program chair, (978) 630-9261, or the associate dean of Health Sciences, (978) 630-9229.

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Program Competencies

Upon graduation from these programs students, shall have the ability to:

1. Demonstrate competence in written and oral communication in English.
2. Demonstrate competence in problem solving, scientific modes of inquiry, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking.
3. Demonstrate competence in understanding historic and social processes.
4. Demonstrate competence in the use of modern technology to access, evaluate, and apply information.
5. Demonstrate competence in assessment of aesthetic and ethical standards in a diverse local and global environment.
6. Demonstrate competence in career planning, health management, and lifelong learning.

Additional Program Competencies for LAX

In addition to the above program competencies, upon graduation from the Liberal Arts & Sciences—Liberal Studies—Fitness Leadership & Exercise Science Concentration program, students shall have the ability to:

1. Understand the professional responsibility surrounding liability, safety, and ethics of being a fitness leader.
2. Understand good, basic exercise testing and program design.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of good nutrition and exercise physiology.
4. Have incentive for further education through visits to other facilities.
5. Explore fitness leadership certifications.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of how to use fitness equipment.

Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation.

Students entering into this program must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information in either spoken, printed, signed, or computer voice format.
3. Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
4. Exhibit social skills appropriate to professional interactions.
5. Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact.