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Ministry-approved title: Fitness And Health Promotion
The Fitness and Health Promotion program turns an interest in physical activity into a science-based career focused on improving health and well-being. Grounded in exercise science, the program explores how the human body responds to physical activity, including anatomy, physiology and training principles that can be applied in real-world settings.
Students develop the skills to design effective, inclusive fitness and wellness programs for individuals of all ages, abilities and body types, extending beyond traditional gym environments into community and workplace settings.
Graduates are prepared for careers as qualified exercise professionals, including fitness and group exercise instructors and health promotion or wellness leaders. The program also supports preparation for industry certifications and provides pathways to further study in degree completion programs in Ontario, across Canada and internationally.
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Build a career that supports health, performance, and well-being across a wide range of settings:
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The Fitness and Health Promotion program combines exercise science theory with applied, hands-on learning to prepare students for a growing and evolving field.
Interactive lectures use active learning approaches to bring key concepts to life, while modern lab environments provide opportunities to apply knowledge in practical settings. Students work independently and collaboratively, gaining experience alongside peers pursuing careers in health, fitness and wellness.
Throughout the program, students build in-demand knowledge and skills in:
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
Students' learning experience is complemented by a field placement working alongside successful fitness professionals to enrich their knowledge, practise their skills and strengthen their abilities.
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV), immunizations, lab tests and certifications. Students should keep receipts for income tax purposes. These costs include:
It is required that students have completed the ERV with Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this program. Students must (at their expense) provide:
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Qualified Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3 RAM: 4GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Additional Mandatory Tablet Requirements: To support learning, students will need access to a tablet device (minimum 9-inch screen) with built-in Wi-Fi capability to access course materials, lab activities and web-based applications. Cost‑Effective Tablet Options Amazon Fire HD 10 (10.1") Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (11") Lenovo Tab M10 / M11 (10–11") Premium / Top Tablet Options Apple iPad (9th or 10th Generation) (10.2"–10.9") Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (10.9") Microsoft Surface Go (10.5") Requirement: All devices must support Wi‑Fi connectivity and an up‑to‑date web browser to ensure full access to course platforms and learning tools.
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the faculty office.
Dr. Michael Williams-Bell is a Professor and Program Coordinator in Durham College’s Faculty of Health Sciences, bringing expertise in exercise science, occupational physiology and applied research to the Fitness and Health Promotion program. A student-centred educator, he emphasizes active learning, collaboration and real-world application to help students connect theory with practice. His research explores the physiological demands placed on public safety personnel, using tools such as virtual reality and wearable technology to understand how the body responds to physical and mental stress.
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