Higher Education and Career Training

Accredited certificate and degree programs are available through fitness schools that provide students with higher education and career training. Students can train for their desired career in the field by enrolling in a career preparation school. Fitness professionals are trained to work with a variety of people for a number of reasons. Students can learn the skills and knowledge needed to start the fitness career of their dreams. Degrees are available at an associates, bachelors, masters, or doctorates level of education.

Students can gain the accredited education needed to pursue a variety of careers. Employment opportunities allow those with a higher education to pursue careers in: Athletic Training, Personal Training, Fitness Training, Exercise, Physical Therapy, and many other professions. By enrolling in an accredited education program students can prepare for the career of their dreams.

*Undergraduate Degrees

Those who are looking to pursue an undergraduate degree in fitness can do so by enrolling in an accredited vocational or trade school. Undergraduate degrees are available at an associates and bachelors degree level of study. Students who choose to earn an associates degree can do so by completing two years of study. Once an associates degree is obtained students can pursue a bachelor's degree in the field. Bachelors level degree take students four years to earn.

Coursework will vary by level of degree but will consist of a variety of fitness related subjects. Areas of study may include courses in nutrition, human anatomy, wellness, first aid, yoga, stress management, physiotherapeutic techniques and more. Students can enter the workforce with an accredited associates or bachelors degree in fitness. Career options can include:

• Certified Athletic Trainers
• Fitness Trainers
• Personal Trainers
• Exercise Specialists

...and many other professions. By gaining an accredited undergraduate degree students will have the knowledge and skills needed to seek employment or further education at the graduate level.

*Graduate Degrees

Students looking to start a career in the field of fitness can do so by earning an accredited graduate degree from a technical or trade school. Graduate degrees include a master's and doctorates level degree. Students can obtain an accredited masters degree in the field by completing an additional two years of study. Once a master's degree is earned students who wish to do so can enroll at the doctorates level. A doctorates degree typically requires and additional four years of study.

Students will have the chance to study a variety of topics depending on their desired level of degree. Coursework may consist of studying massage therapy, CPR, injury prevention, medical terminology, exercise techniques, personal health, musculoskeletal injuries and many other courses based on each individual student's desired career and level of education. By entering the workforce with an accredited masters or doctorates degree students can pursue careers like:

• Physical Therapist
• Researcher
• Exercise Coordinator
• College Professor

...and other related professions in the field. With an accredited graduate degree students will have the training needed to succeed in their desired career.

Yoga Teacher Distance Education and Contact Hours

Becoming a certified Yoga teacher has never been easy. Due to the quality of online courses, and the evolution of distance education technology, the common hurdles of distance, travel, time, and expense have been removed from the process. Below is the dialogue of a recent interview about Yoga distance education and contact hours.

Q: Do you think that the teacher's abilities and training have an effect on outcome?

A: Over the long term, the process of becoming a great Yoga teacher is a life-long journey. The teacher with the desire to keep learning will become the best he or she can be. This factor cannot be measured in the initial 200-hour training, whether it is by correspondence or at an on-site training.

Q: Do you believe there are some topics that cannot be taught using distance education technology?

A: No, each topic, although some are complicated, can be taught using distance education technology. Probably, the most complex subject to learn, in a Hatha Yoga training, is when and how to assist.

Yet, there are two very strong texts which cover the principles of assisting, and can be found in any book store. One of them has a DVD enclosed within the text. At the same time, new DVDs and books are being created on a daily basis.

If a student still had difficulty understanding the principles of assisting, adjusting, modifications, and alignment, he or she, should seek out a teacher as a mentor. Just because we have the internet is not a reason to abandon the traditional teacher / student relationship.

Q: How do students, taking correspondence courses, only, compare in testing results to residential students?

A: There seems to be very little difference. We have guest teachers, who graduated from our correspondence course, and their teaching performances are equal to our graduates who attended our on-site Yoga teacher training courses.

Q: Do you use internet, teleconference, or computer technology for any of your courses?

A: Yes, but most of our conferencing is private, one-to-one, question and answer sessions. When an intern is having difficulty grasping a concept, we communicate over the phone or by Email.

Q: Under what conditions can distance education be considered contact?

A: At this time, it is up to the world's Yoga registries to sort this out. When Yoga interns are being monitored by video technology, the teacher trainer can easily see strengths and weaknesses. The video feedback process is very important. Video Technology is definitely a form of contact. Just like anything else, mistakes we learn from teach us lessons we will never forget.