Northwestern Polytechnic - Grande Prairie
Northwestern Polytechnic - Grande Prairie

10726 106 Avenue, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada

College Diploma - Personal Trainer

2-Year Undergraduate Diploma

Program Summary

The demand for educated and certified personal trainers has never been greater. The Personal Trainer program gives students the hands-on experience and specialized personal trainer knowledge they need to become a certified personal trainer able to sustain a lucrative personal trainer career.

Students will receive specialized training in one or more certifications, and be given the opportunity to gain valuable experience by completing a supervised practicum in this growing industry. The curriculum is rich with courses geared specifically toward preparing students to be very knowledgeable about the fitness industry and very competent in their personal skills. Students will not be required to repeat any training for which they have current certification.

The diploma program incorporates both theory and practical components. The theory courses, many of which are university transferable, provide the student with the background information necessary to understand the structure and function of the human body and its adaptations to exercise. The practicums provide an opportunity for students to develop the skills required to assess individual physical fitness levels, to formulate and deliver appropriate fitness programs, and to network with businesses in the local fitness community.

First year (30 credits)

  • PA1981 Instructions of the Basics of Cardiovascular Training (3)
  • PE1000 Structural Anatomy (3)
  • PE1015 Essentials of Human Physiology (3)
  • PE1030 Integrative Human Physiology (3)
  • PE2060 Biomechanics (3)
  • PE2200 Introduction to Personal Physical Fitness (3)
  • PE2420 Introduction to Nutrition for Exercise and Performance (3)
  • PF1900 Groups Exercise Fundamentals (3) 
  • PF1980 Leadership in Resistance Training (3)
  • PF2900 Fitness Assessment and Advanced Counseling (3)

Second year (30 credits)

  • BA1040 Small Business Entrepreneurship (3)
  • PE2000 Exercise Physiology (3)
  • PE2400 Sports Injuries (3)
  • PE3030 Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (3)
  • PF1910 Fitness Practicum (3)
  • PF2910 Advanced Fitness Practicum (3)
  • PF2920 Certified Personal Trainer Exercise Prescription (3)
  • PF2970 Fitness Management (3)
  • PF2980 Advanced Training Methodologies (3)
  • PF2990 Corrective Exercise Strategies (3)

Academic Background

Minimum Level of Education Completed

Grade 12 / High School

Minimum GPA

50%

Minimum Language Test Scores

Reading

6

Writing

6

Listening

6

Speaking

6

Reading

55

Writing

55

Listening

55

Speaking

55

Program Intakes

Open date

September 10, 2024

Submission deadline

July 1, 2025

Open date

May 30, 2025

Submission deadline

November 30, 2025

Cost and Duration

2-Year Undergraduate Diploma

Program Level

2 year college diploma including a practicum

Program Length

$20635 CAD

Cost of Living

$150 CAD

Application fee

$16300 CAD / First Year

Gross Tuition

Other Fees

Book and Material Fees: $1,500 per year
Health and Dental Fees: $424 per year
Student Services Fees: $340 per year
Student's Association Fees: $310 per year
Wellness Fees: $185 per year