Help people develop and maintain healthier lifestyles

Program code FHPR

Duration 2 Years

Credential Ontario College Diploma

Program Delivery Full-time

Program delivery method(s) In person What does this mean?

Program information

Program description

Do you have a passion for exercise and physical activity? Are you inherently interested in how exercise and dietary strategies can enhance health and performance? The program starts with the fundamentals of the fitness and health promotion field such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, client counselling, and nutrition. These courses are combined with a large number of practical based learning hours in dedicated exercise science labs. You gain industry experience through preparation of healthy foods in culinary labs, planning and executing a health promotion event, the opportunity to train clients on campus, and off-campus work-integrated learning. Graduates receive credit for their college courses and can proceed to formal articulations in various university degree programs.

Intake information

Start date	Campus
Fall 2025	Barrie

Tuition and fees

Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
Review additional program-specific fees for this program.
You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.

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What are the admission requirements for the Fitness and Health Promotion program?

Fitness and Health Promotion admission requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature student status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
any Grade 11¹ or 12 Mathematics (C, M, or U)
Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U) OR Grade 12 Exercise Science (U)

¹: Minimum of 60% in Grade 11 College or University level Mathematics (MBF3C or MCF3M)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Pathways

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: A record of criminal offences, for which a pardon has not been granted, may prevent students from completing their placements, thereby affecting their ability to graduate.

Additional information

It is required that students have Level C CPR and Standard First Aid prior to starting the practical experience courses. It is the student’s responsibility to renew their Level C CPR certification annually while in the program. Students are asked to submit a copy of their current Level C CPR and Standard First Aid certificate to the instructor of the practical experience course. Certifications received through on-line Level C CPR and Standard First Aid courses are not accepted.

Why study Fitness and Health Promotion at Georgian?

Dedicated exercise and nutrition Labs

With our on-campus nutrition-culinary labs, you’ll not only learn the theory behind nutrition, but also how to put theory into practice

Georgian’s Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program is the only program in the province to offer this immersive learning experience!

Robust industry contacts

Georgian’s industry partners take on Fitness and Health Promotion students for placements, and also hire program grads for full-time employment
Our fourth semester off-campus placement course allows students to choose an industry sector of their interest and complete a placement, with students often converting their internship into employment after graduation.

Learn from industry experts

In our program, students have the opportunity to learn from knowledge faculty with a wealth of experience different areas of the Fitness & Health Field, including:

Athletic/massage therapists
Registered Kinesiologists
Physiotherapists
Chiropractors
Strength & Conditioning Coaches
Personal Trainers
Group exercise instructors
Former Professional Athletes

Unique program events

Our first semester field trip takes students to Cedar Glen YMCA where students get to know each other while participating in team-building activities.
Our third semester field trip is an overnight event! Day one, students learn from industry experts presentations as well as participate in practical workshops. On Day two, students attend a networking event to meet local industry partners to learn more about different opportunities in the field and potentially secure an industry placement internship.
Our program hosts an annual ‘Fitness Olympics’ competition that has students from all semesters compete against each to determine the Fittest Students in the program.

Formal pathways to Kinesiology degree programs

Our diploma program provides you with the practical experience you need to succeed in industry, and the academic foundation to succeed and specialize in a degree program
Many of our graduates choose to continue their studies with kinesiology degree programs in Ontario and internationally

JJ Johnson, Fitness and Health Promotion graduate (class of 2015) smiling with black-framed glasses while wearing a black zip-up athletic jacket branded with CCM and the Powassan Voodies Junior "A" Hockey logos

Looking back at my time at Georgian, I fondly remember training opportunities in the fitness testing labs and the knowledgeable, friendly faculty members who were always willing to offer their advice and guidance.—JJ Johnson, R.Kin and Head Athletic Trainer for the Cranbrook Bucks Junior A Hockey Club (class of 2015)

Learning spaces – dedicated fitness and nutrition labs

These labs are used to have students apply their learned theoretical knowledge into practice. Practical labs consist of fitness assessments, exercise techniques, and health promotion strategies.

Two 1,450-square-foot labs resembling small fitness centres

Dedicated to the Fitness and Health Promotion program
Equipped with free weights, lifting racks, barbells, trap bars, kettlebells, dumbbells, plyo boxes, a Wattbike and treadmills

1,000-square-foot lab dedicated to bench sciences and assessments

Includes weights, a Wattbike, Monark bikes, treadmills and a research-quality PARVO metabolic cart
Explore basic measures for blood pressure, musculoskeletal function, aerobic fitness, and anaerobic power

Open lab times supervised by staff

Open weekdays for drop ins and supervised by our lab tech or faculty
Practise movements, record videos for assignments, ask for feedback, or exercise under supervision

Nutrition-culinary labs to explore concepts in nutritional sciences

Georgian’s Fitness & Health Promotion program is the only program in the province to offer a practical nutritional lab experience!
Learn to prepare and analyze various meals from a certified chef in our two nutrition classes in our pristine culinary labs!
Gain practical experience in food handling, safety and preparation through practical culinary lab sessions
Dive into the theory behind nutrition and how to put theory into practice, preparing 10+ meals

What career paths can I take in the health and fitness industry?

Your Fitness and Health Promotion diploma gives you many career opportunities

Career opportunities include personal trainer, group exercise instructor, health and fitness appraiser/counselor, program director and manager at commercial/private fitness and health clubs, resorts/hotels, corporate/employee fitness centres and organizations, or municipal/community fitness facilities or health units.

Potential employers and career paths:

Commercial/private fitness centres
Corporate/employee fitness centres
Municipal fitness centres
Sports and recreational clubs

Camps
Military fitness
Fitness centre personal training managers
Fitness centre general managers

A young man in a grey t-shirt lifting weights inside the Athletics and Fitness Centre at the Georgian College Orillia Campus

Industry certifications and academic articulations

Industry certifications

Ontario Fitness Council

By taking the Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program at Georgian, you can fast-track your certification with the Ontario Fitness Council (OFC).

Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology

Upon graduation, you’ll also be eligible to obtain the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How many hours per week would I be in class as a full-time student?

A full-time student carrying a full course load in the Fitness and Health Promotion program would typically have 18 hours per week of class.

Do I get to choose my class schedule/timetable?

Should the intake be large enough and multiple sections of each course are offered students will be able to select from multiple sections.

How large are the class/lab sizes?

Lab classes are kept much smaller and typically have 10-15 students per section.

How much hands-on learning will I get as a student?

Our program courses are very practical! Beginning in first semester, students will take part in practical learning through multiple courses to gain experience in exercise, coaching, training, and cooking.

What courses are included in the Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program?

Course overview

23 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses

Program-specific courses

Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Fitness and Health Promotion program outline.