The college offers several options in one year certificate, two-year degree and extended degree programs. These include a business option tailored for students interested in owning their own businesses or working in management positions at health clubs; and a gerontology option, for students interested in working with older adults.
The Exercise Technology program’s student population is diverse, according to Dr.Vicki Kloosterhouse, program director. "Our students range in age from 18 to over 50," she says. "Some of them come directly out of high school. Others are people interested in a career change," she explains. Still others are nurses and other health professionals looking to augment or refocus their skills, perhaps with additional training in cardiac rehabilitation.
Today many students are interested in the area of "wellcoaching," Dr. Kloosterhouse says. "This new concept helps fitness professionals add coaching techniques to their science-based exercise technology skills to become even more effective in helping clients maintain or attain their overall health, fitness, weight and nutrition goals." Learning the skills to become a personal trainer has been another area of special interest to students over the past several years.
Whatever an individual’s area of interest in exercise, OCC’s program begins with a solid foundation in science as students learn about exercise physiology; kinesiology; testing and measurement; health promotion, exercise leadership and the psychological aspects of fitness and sports.
"Our students learn by doing, not just by sitting and listening," emphasizes Dr. Kloosterhouse. "Classes are small and instructors are focused on student learning and meeting student needs."
Students are also required to do two internships: one in cardiac rehabilitation and another in an area of their choice such as athletic training or physical therapy. When they have completed their coursework, students have the option of sitting for various certification exams given by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council for Exercise.
