Press Room

American Council on Exercise Aligns with University of California, San Diego to Develop New Fitness Professional Certificate Program

Posted: Feb 26, 2001 in

SAN DIEGO--The American Council on Exercise (ACE) has partnered with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Extension’s program to develop an improved Professional Certificate in Fitness Instruction and Exercise Science for aspiring fitness professionals.

Through this 20-unit professional certificate program, students will complete in-depth academic courses and practical, hands-on training including an individualized 60-hour internship at a top-rated fitness or health facility. Upon completion of the core program, students will move on to either the personal training or group fitness track and will take the ACE Personal Trainer or Group Fitness Instructor certification exam upon graduation. Successful graduates will have demonstrated their commitment to professionalism through advanced education and training and the attainment of a nationally recognized fitness and academic certification.

“We’ve been interested for a long time in bringing our services and programs into the university setting, and it is only natural that we would partner with a hometown institution,” explained Ken Germano, ACE executive director. “UCSD, one of the most respected universities in the country, has an impressive, dynamic extension program. By revising the Professional Certificate program, ACE and UCSD are committed to developing a pool of highly trained fitness professionals in our community.”

ACE plans to use the UCSD Professional Certificate in Fitness Instruction and Exercise Science as a model for working with universities and community colleges across the country.

The UCSD Extension program begins in Spring 2001. For more information about participating in the program, contact Suzanne Kennedy at UCSD at 858/964-1014.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting consumers against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. As the nation’s “workout watchdog,” ACE conducts university-based research and testing that targets fitness products and trends. ACE sets standards for fitness professionals and is the world’s largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization. For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or log onto the ACE Web site at www.acefitness.org.