Fitness and Nutrition Certificate

Fitness and Nutrition Certificate

If you're passionate about health and wellness and want a job that allows you to help others reach their fitness goals, our online Fitness and Nutrition Certificate can help you gain the skills and knowledge to work with clients on weight-loss and strength training strategies. Through flexible online courses, you'll learn about nutrition and effective exercise plans from home, on your schedule.

  • Online fitness courses will cover anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, stress management, strength and conditioning, and nutrition basics.  
  • This program is geared toward those looking to gain new knowledge or refresh current skills to advance in their fitness and nutrition career, or for those looking to learn more about fitness and nutrition for personal use.
  • Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.
Accredited
Online
Self Paced

Save up to $150 Ends 10/16/2024

Cost of Program

$649

$799 Save $150

or

$59/month, Start for as low as $29

1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

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What You Will Learn

  1. How to determine short and long-term fitness goals, design programs, track progress, and promote lifetime fitness.
  2. How fitness affects physical and mental well-being, and how to assess current fitness levels, plan goals, and recognize opportunities in the fitness field.
  3. How to identify the structures of the upper and lower body, and identify programs and exercises to enhance upper- and lower-body fitness.
  4. How to work with clients to create custom nutrition and fitness strategies, including helping them stay motivated to reach their goals.
Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Fitness and Nutrition Career Outcomes

Fitness Trainers and Instructors

AVG SALARY*

$45,380/yr

NUMBER OF JOBS*

329,500

JOB GROWTH*

14%


Our online Fitness and Nutrition Certificate Program can help prepare students to enhance their current skills, add new skills to their resume, or reach their own health and wellness lifestyle goals. Earning a certificate alone, however, may not qualify graduates who do not have previous education or work experience for a job working as a nutritionist, personal trainer, or fitness expert.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in certain fields are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered by your Penn Foster Program. You should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where you plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in your program. See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

Fitness and Nutrition Certificate Curriculum

  • 7 Courses
  • 13 Exams
  • 19.1 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)


Estimated completion time:

  • Fast track = 3 months
  • Average time = 7 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

In our Fitness and Nutrition Certificate Program, you'll build fundamental knowledge that can help you better understand your own health and wellness, or help clients to reach their fitness and nutrition goals. Your online fitness classes include:


  • Fitness Anatomy and Physiology
  • Developing Healthy Eating Habits
  • Principles of Muscular Strength and Endurance
  • Health Screening, Testing, and Evaluation

Show Full Curriculum

Fitness and Nutrition Success Stories

Penn Foster’s Fitness and Nutrition Certificate Program can help prepare you to develop new health and wellness skills. This program has helped recent graduates find new jobs or start their own businesses while learning at their own pace. Learn more about Penn Foster graduates' experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them.
View Student Success Stories
quote icon

Ralph S.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“Course material was clear and easy to follow at my own pace.”

Looking for training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.
Learn More

Fitness and Nutrition Certificate Tuition

Take the first steps toward a new career with our online Fitness and Nutrition Certificate Program. Simply choose from one of our low-cost customized payment plans below and get started today! . 

Option 1: Pay in full

Save up to $150 Ends 10/16/2024

Cost of Program1

$649

$799 Save $150

  • Best price. Best value.
  • Pay the full cost today
  • No monthly payments
Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Save up to $50 Ends 10/16/2024

Cost of Program1

$749

$799 Save $50

  • Pay $59 per month
  • Start for $29 down
  • All major credit and debit cards accepted
Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

cost of program1

$799

  • Pay $59 per month
  • Start for $29 down
  • Mail your payments
Enroll Now

California residents please click here for Required California Disclosures.

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Request Info

Our Proven Fitness and Nutrition Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

  • Start anytime
  • No exam due dates
  • Self-paced

Interactive

  • Digital study guides
  • Self-check quizzes
  • Simulations and videos

Connected

  • 24/7 access to online resources
  • Online student community
  • Dedicated Learner Center

Supportive

  • Expert faculty
  • Robust learning resources
  • Dedicated student services

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Fitness and Nutrition Certificate FAQs

How do I become a certified nutritionist?

The first step toward becoming a certified nutritionist is most usually earning an accredited bachelor's degree in a health-related field. Many schools offer degrees that focus on nutrition. From there, you may complete an internship or clinical externship depending on your school's requirements and gain hands-on experience working with clients. While not all states require nutritionists to be certified, many employers do prefer to hire applicants that have industry-recognized certifications or credentials on their resume. Depending on which certification you pursue, you may also be expected to complete a graduate degree in nutrition to meet education requirements.

What can I do with a fitness and nutrition certification?

In a fitness and nutrition certification program, you'll learn the essentials of building healthy habits, creating fitness training plans, and working with clients. Those with fitness nutrition certification can start their own businesses, work as a fitness or nutrition coach, spa consultant, or weight management consultant. It's important to note that earning a certificate alone may not qualify you for a job in the field and you may be required to pursue additional education and industry-certifications to meet the minimum requirements of some employers.

Can I be a nutritionist without a degree?

It depends! While some states have licensing requirements that do require nutritionists to have a bachelor's degree to practice, there are some that don't. While you may be able to practice without an official degree in some states, most employers usually prefer to hire applicants with valid certifications from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) or the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB).

Can I become a nutritionist online?

You can! However, before you pursue a career path as a nutritionist through online courses, it's important to check your state regulations to find out what requirements you must meet to be eligible to work in the field. Most nutritionists have at least a bachelor's degree, as well as industry-recognized certification.