Fitness Development/Strength and Conditioning Major

If you want to pursue a career in a health or fitness setting, you’ll need a theoretical and practical knowledge base to meet your goals. A concentrated course program provides essential theoretical information. You’ll apply this knowledge through an internship experience in exercise, wellness, health promotion, corporate fitness, cardiac rehabilitation, commercial fitness or other related areas.

Please note that this academic program will undergo a name change during the 2023-24 academic year, from fitness development to strength and conditioning for human performance.

Career potential

Corporate wellness specialist
Community wellness program director
Strength and conditioning coach
Worksite fitness/wellness center director
Health coach/personal trainer
Cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation
Chiropractic medicine

Scores of students attend a powerlifting meet in the Student Life Center.

What will I learn?

You’ll be in a flexible, broad-based program that combines major courses with a number of electives.
Courses emphasize current research as well as its practical application.
You’ll take core courses in exercise science along with classes in other disciplines such as:
- Physical education
- Health
- Social sciences
- Applied sciences

Special features

Internship for your degree
Work with faculty and your colleagues on research studies
Gain hands-on experience in the Student Life Center, the university’s state-of-the-art recreation building
Work with Center for Obesity Research and Education (C.O.R.E.)
Work with a faculty or staff member as your client
Study abroad in England, Germany and Australia
Recognized program by the National Strength and Conditioning Association for educational development in personal training and strength and conditioning careers

Get involved

College is more than a classroom. Enhance your experience with extracurricular opportunities:

Healthy Now Teen Program
Practicum experiences
Research projects with faculty
Participation in service-learning opportunities in the community

Student clubs

Dartfish Club
Fit Club

Next Steps

Contact us

Main Office: Professional Studies Building, Room 1164
Phone: 607-753-4300

Fast facts

The SUNY Cortland Kinesiology Department is a member of the American Kinesiology Association (AKA)
The four majors in the Kinesiology Department represent one of the largest undergraduate enrollments for a department at SUNY Cortland.