The Fitness, Wellness, and Sport (FWS) degree in Exercise Science or Sport Management provides students with the educational and practical experiences needed to obtain employment in sport, recreation, exercise, or fitness organizations. All students learn about the psychological, sociological and historical aspects of sport and exercise. Students interested in the Exercise Science option complete coursework focusing on the scientific aspects of human performance. Students interested in the Sport Management option complete coursework focusing on the business, marketing, promotions, programming and facilities aspects of sport and exercise. The A.A.S. degree in FWS can be completed in as little as two years.
Work and Employment
Students who pursue a degree in FWS will have the necessary knowledge and skills to obtain an entry-level position in sport, recreation, exercise, or fitness organizations. Exercise Science students may seek employment as personal fitness trainers, sports performance trainers, group exercise instructors, or fitness technicians. Sport Management students may seek employment in sport or recreation management, programming, facilities, marketing, sales or maintenance. The FWS department maintains a network of connections with several local fitness, wellness, and sport agencies looking for part- and full-time employees.
Transfer Opportunities
Graduates of the program have the option to transfer their degree to various universities to pursue a bachelor degree in Kinesiology, Exercise/Sport Science, Sport Management, or other related fields in order to enhance their earnings potential. The FWS department at RVC currently maintains transfer agreements for Exercise Science and Sport Management programs at Northern Illinois University and Rockford University. Students interested in transferring to these programs should consult the FWS department chair.
Practicum Experiences
Students who pursue a degree in FWS will have the opportunity to complete a variety of job shadowing experiences with any of the following professional agencies – Rockford Icehogs, Rockford Convention & Visitors Bureau, Rockford Park District, Rockford Boys & Girls Club, YMCA of Rock River Valley, and NorthPointe Wellness.
Certificates also Available
The FWS certificates in Personal Training and Coaching Education provide students with the educational and practical experiences needed to prepare for certification as qualified personal trainers or athletic coaches. In many cases, either of these certifications may be required by an employer. Most of the courses required for the certificates also apply toward the FWS degree options, giving students several options to meet their educational and career goals. Each 24-credit hour certificate can be completed in as little as three consecutive semesters.
The Personal Training Certificate prepares students to successfully complete the National Strength & Conditioning Association’s Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) exam or other national personal training certifications. The RVC Personal Training certificate program is an approved NSCA-CPT Education Recognition Program, which provides students with discounted certification exam fees. Students will complete an internship training RVC employees under the direct supervision of FWS staff. Personal Training Certificate students may seek employment as a personal trainer in private health clubs, public fitness centers, college/university fitness centers or personal fitness studios.
The Coaching Education Certificate helps students obtain the American Sport Education Program’s (ASEP) coaching certification. The ASEP coaching certification is required by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) for high school coaches who are not certified teachers. The RVC Coaching Education certificate program is an approved IHSA coaching education classroom certification program. Students will complete an internship with the athletic department of one of the following local organizations – Rockford School District, Harlem School District, Belvidere School District, or an approved program of the student’s choice. Coaching Education Certificate students may seek employment as an assistant or head coach at all levels between youth sports and high school varsity sports.
How to apply to the Program
Apply online at RockValleyCollege.edu/FWS or contact the FWS department at (815) 921-3804 or (815) 921-3816, for more information.
Requirements
General Education
Choose one of the following:
| MTH-220 | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| MTH-120 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MTH-132 | College Algebra and Trigonometry | 5 |
| MTH-135 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 5 |
| MTH-160 | Topics From Finite Mathematics | 3 |
| MTH-211 | Calculus for Business and Social Science | 4 |
FWS Core
| FWS-255 | Sociology of Sport | 3 |
| FWS-258 | Sport and Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Other Requirements* - choose one of the following
| General Education requirement (IAI/GECC course) | 3 |
| Or | |
| FWS-256 | History of Physical Education and Sport | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
*See FWS advisor to determine the best option.
Work-Based Learning
Select Courses from Either Track 1 or Track 2:
Track 1: Exercise Science
| BIO-103 | Introductory Life Science | 3 |
| BIO-104 | Introductory Life Science Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM-110 | General, Organic and Biochemistry I | 4 |
| BIO-185 | Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
| | |
| FWS-231 | Contemporary Health Issues | 3 |
| Or | |
| FWS-233 | Community Health | 3 |
| Or | |
| FWS-235 | Alcohol and Drug Education | 3 |
| | |
| FWS-243 | First Aid, General Safety, CPR and AED | 3 |
| Or | |
| FWS-254 | ASEP Sport First Aid and CPR | 3 |
| | |
| FWS-260 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 3 |
| FWS-261 | Nutrition for Fitness and Sport | 3 |
| FWS-263 | Nutrition, Exercise and Weight Control | 3 |
| FWS-266 | Personal Training I - Concepts and Applications | 3 |
| FWS-267 | Personal Training II - Concepts and Application | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 37 |
Select 3 credit hours from the following:
Track 2: Sport Management (37 credits)
| General Education Elective (IAI/GECC course) | 3 |
| BIO-103 | Introductory Life Science | 3 |
| BIO-104 | Introductory Life Science Laboratory | 1 |
| ECO-110 | Principles of Economics: Macro | 3 |
| ECO-111 | Principles of Economics: Micro | 3 |
| FWS-250 | Introduction to Sport Management | 3 |
| | |
| FWS-243 | First Aid, General Safety, CPR and AED | 3 |
| Or | |
| FWS-254 | ASEP Sport First Aid and CPR | 3 |
| | |
| BUS-101 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUS-201 | Business Law | 3 |
| ATG-110 | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| ATG-111 | Managerial Accounting | 4 |
Select 4 credit hours from the following: