2021-2022 Catalog

Physical Fitness (A.S.)

Associate in Science

Program Advisor:Frank Schickor

413-236-4564 • fschicko@berkshirecc.edu 

The program is under revision and on hiatus for 2020-2021 and not accepting applications.

If you are interested in BCC’s physical fitness program, please contact Program Advisor Frank Schickor fschicko@berkshirecc.edu or Professor Judy Gawron at jgawron@berkshirecc.edu,  413-236-4604.

Essential Functions

Enrollment in this Physical Fitness program requires that the student, with or without reasonable accommodations (see Notes), must be able to:

  • Demonstrate the ability to coordinate simultaneous motions;
  • Perform movements that require supination, pronation, flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, hyperextension rotation, circumduction;
  • Operate strength training equipment that requires pushing, pulling, rotating, or moving objects and weights;
  • Demonstrate ability to retain and evaluate information for use in supervision and evaluation of clients;
  • Display cognitive (thinking) abilities to measure, calculate, reason, and analyze information and data;
  • Demonstrate ability to manipulate dials on equipment;
  • Demonstrate the ability to stretch, bend, lunge, sit, step up, step down and chop;
  • Perform exercise skills in both fast and slow cadences;
  • Maintain a level of energy and endurance necessary to complete essential functions;
  • Demonstrate safe body mechanics when moving clients or equipment including lifting, carrying small equipment (under 50 lbs.) and moving large equipment (over 50 lbs.);
  • Function within the ethical and legal standards of fitness settings;
  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage two or more activities or sources of information;
  • Utilize problem-solving skills in making a decision;
  • Detect an unsafe environment and carry out appropriate emergency procedures; and
  • Effectively communicate to clients and other health professionals by:
    • Explaining procedures;
    • Receiving information from others;
    • Receiving information from written documents;
    • Exhibiting appropriate interpersonal skill(s) to motivate clients;
    • Analyzing and documenting assessment finding and intervention; and
    • Demonstrating the ability to critically read and interpret charts, instruction and manuals.

Expected Outcomes

Graduates of this program should be able to:

  • Demonstrate written and oral English competence;
  • Use modern technology to access, evaluate and apply information to use state-of-the-art fitness equipment safely and perform cardio monitoring;
  • Demonstrate competence in career planning, health management and lifelong learning;
  • Demonstrate skills beyond entry-level (health and fitness club manager, private personal trainer, specialized fitness instructor);
  • Identify good, basic exercise testing and program design; and
  • Practice good nutrition and explain basic principles to clients relative to exercise physiology.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.

Program Courses

AHS-142Exercise Science

3

AHS-148Responding to Medical Emergencies

2

AHS-150Introduction to Nutrition

3

AHS-155Stress & Your Health

3

AHS-220Principles of Fitness Components

3

AHS-235Fitness Program Planning

3

AHS-238Mind/Body Theory & Methods

3

PED-135Ultimate Functional Training Workout

2

PED-136Weight Training

1

PED-137Cardio Fit

1

PED-144Stretching & Flexibility

1

PED-152Group Exercise Instruction

2

PED-161Advanced Strength Training

1

PED-170Personal Trainer

3

PED-180Fitness for Life

2

PED-196Practicum I

1

PED-197Practicum II

1

PED-207Prevention & Care of Exercise Injuries

2

PED-241Advanced Practicum I

1

PED-242Advanced Practicum II

1

PED-250Psychology of Sport

3

Total Credit Hours:42

General Education Courses

BIO-201Anatomy & Physiology I

4

COM-105Introduction to Oral Communication

3

ENG-
English Composition/Writing

6

MAT-136Mathematics for the Health Sciences

3

PSY-107Introductory Psychology

3

-
General Education Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:22
General Education Elective: See footnote 1

Additional Requirements

Core Competencies Portfolio 4 items
FORUM 4 units
Health/Fitness 30 hours
Minimum grade required in each program course 2.000

Health/Fitness: See footnote 2

 

Minimum Cumulative Average

Overall 2.000
Program requirements 2.000

Footnotes

  1. General Education Elective chosen from History, or Humanities and Fine Arts.

  2. Fulfilled by successful completion of PED-135.

  3. BIO-202 is also needed for transfer to Springfield College.