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Lasell University
Lasell University

School of Health Sciences

B.S. in Fitness Management

Man lifting weights

Fitness Management

The B.S. in Fitness Management major immerses students in a multidisciplinary field of study, blending the field of fitness and wellness with a strong foundation in business management.

As business experts dedicated to fitness and wellness enhancement, Fitness Management degree program graduates will be responsible for the development and coordination of exercise programs for clients at health clubs, fitness facilities, private clubs, resort fitness centers and casinos while overseeing the business management of such settings.

Students are immediately introduced to discipline specific concepts and skills during the first year in the program. Throughout the second and third year of the program students will take classes and have educational experiences in management, marketing, fitness and wellness. During the final year of the program, students are actively engaged in undergraduate research through the research concepts and capstone courses.


Program Features

  • Students are eligible to take the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Exam and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer Exam upon completion of program.
  • Course and International Immersive Experience: Global Engagement in Sport and Fitness: Belfast, Northern Ireland.
  • Seminar learning opportunities, and courses that exemplify Lasell's unique Connected Learning environment, facilitated by faculty with noted industry experience.
  • Students will complete a minimum of one industry-relevant internship.

Do you want to be an Athletic Trainer?

Students are required to earn a master's degree from a CAATE accredited  program to become an athletic trainer. Lasell's Fitness Management degree is a pathway to our Master of Science in Athletic Training. 

What You'll Learn

From your first day, you’ll take courses in your major and advance towards graduation with a yearly plan. Not sure what classes to take? We’ll help you create the perfect plan. 

Learning Outcomes

  • Interact professionally and educate clients, patients, peers, colleagues and medical/athletic personnel.
  • Adhere to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and National Strength and Conditioning Association codes of ethics.
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive level of knowledge in the area of organizational behavior and cross-cultural management, human resource management and information technology.

For a complete list of courses and learning outcomes, view the Academic Catalog >>


Accelerated Master's Program

Save time and money — earn your graduate degree in just 1 year with the Accelerated Master's program. Learn more and how to apply >>

Undergraduate alumni return to Lasell for second (or third!) degrees 
Read their stories >>

Career Success in Fitness Management

Fitness Management majors are prepared for careers in fitness at resorts, health clubs, and hotels, and more.

Request more information about the Fitness Management Major:

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BIO205 - Anatomy & Physiology I

This is a comprehensive course focusing on the structure and function of the human body. The course introduces students to aspects of human biology ranging from the chemical basis of life and cell biology to the anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems. Topics covered include: cell biology, major body tissues, and the structure and function of the following systems: skin, skeletal, muscular, and nervous. The laboratory component includes dissection. Students should have successfully completed one year of at least secondary (high school) level Biology before electing this course. Corequisite: BIO 205L.

BIO206 - Anatomy & Physiology II

This course is a continuation of BIO 205. The following systems are covered during the semester: endocrine, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, urinary, and reproductive. The laboratory component includes dissection. Prerequisite: BIO205 with a C or better. Corequisite: BIO206L.

BUSS101 - Fund of Bus in a Global Environment

This course is designed to familiarize students with various aspects of the business world. Areas covered include: private enterprise; forms of ownership; legal aspects; management practices in a diverse and global business environment; marketing; human resources; global operations management; labor relations; and finance. In addition, students become aware of how business functions are integrated into an organization to achieve specific goals both locally and internationally.

BUSS205 - Business Law

This course provides a working knowledge of everyday law as it applies to both business and personal needs. The primary focus is on contract law and property law. Different sections offered are specific to majors and/or interests (Section A – General Business, Section B – Sport Management, Section C – Hospitality Management). Students can choose any section that they prefer, regardless of major.

BUSS220 - Principles of Marketing

In this course, the fundamentals of marketing are explored for practical application in today's business environment. The process of creating value for customers by utilizing the tools of marketing -- market segmentation, targeting and positioning, marketing research and communications, product development, channels of distribution, and pricing -- are explored with a project-based, interactive approach. Additionally, there is a service learning component included in this course that enables students to further apply the course concepts while working to advance a participating non-profit organization. Prerequisites: BUSS101, COM101, HEM101, HEM102, FASH101, or SMGT102 AND ENG102 or WRT102.

BUSS224 - Org Behavior in the Global Workplace

In this course, students study individuals and their interactions within group settings as they affect efficiencies in diverse business organizations. Group dynamics and intergroup dynamics are emphasized in relation to productivity and work satisfaction along with the examination of specific aspects of organizations that influence behavior on a global scale. Areas covered include structure, leadership, and change as they affect a multitude of cultures. Teaching modalities include case studies and role-playing. This is a writing intensive course.

BUSS226 - Financial Accounting

This course provides students with the fundamentals of accounting processes and procedures used in business. Students learn how to identify and record business transactions. In addition, students learn how to create financial statements and how to become intelligent users of financial information. Prerequisite: BUSS105.

BUSS231 - Entrepreneurship & Venture Creation

Entrepreneurship drives global innovation and economic growth. This course exposes business students to the study of entrepreneurship and the venture-creation process. Topics include analyzing new business opportunities, developing business propositions, new venture planning and financing, marketing activities, financial controls, and other topics relevant to the entrepreneurial process. Students interact with faculty, local entrepreneurs, and small business owners/managers. As a culmination activity of this course, students are responsible for the development and presentation of a business plan. Prerequisite: BUSS101, HEM101, HEM102, FASH101 or SMGT102.

BUSS232 - Global Operation Strategies

This course examines how operations can be used as sources of competitive advantage in international business. The class will focus on understanding the need to formulate an operational strategy (long-term plan) and making strategic operational decisions. The old view of operations management as the task of maintaining a comparatively static production or service facility has given way to one characterized by a need for renewed flexibility, relentless improvement, and the development of new capabilities at the operating unit level. As a result of this changing environment, the skills required of operations managers across the globe have changed as well. This course is based primarily on case studies supported by conceptual frameworks.

BUSS336 - Human Resource Management

In this course, students will examine the staffing function of management including planning, recruitment, selection, training, motivation, appraisal, compensation, labor laws, and organizational development. The course also addresses current issues affecting the human resource manager, including the changing work force and need to increase productivity, as well as changes in the area of unions and affirmative action. Both class discussions and case studies are used to prepare students for the personnel and related tasks involved in a management position. Prerequisite: BUSS224

COM103 - Human Communication (KP)

This course is a basic survey of human communication, especially interpersonal and group. Attention is given to perception, language and meaning, listening, theories of persuasion, verbal and nonverbal communication, small group discussion, interpersonal conflict, and interviewing. The course focuses on understanding how human communication is fundamentally related to issues of interpersonal relationships; the history of human communication and language development; perception and intrapersonal communication; leadership; group/team work; multicultural diversity in organizations; decision-making; power; public speaking; and ethical challenges. This course helps students to develop and practice skills that will guide effective action in their professional careers and interpersonal relationships. This course includes a Service Learning component.

ECON101 - Principles of Econ-Micro

This course is an introduction to the principles of the economic behavior of individuals, firms, and industries in the mixed economic system. Topics include consumer demand; elasticity; supply and costs of production; the allocation of economic resources; international trade; and the role of government in promoting economic welfare.

EXSC103 - Skills & Techniques for the Exercise Sci

The purpose of this course is to provide foundational skills in measurement techniques of health and physical activity that are necessary and relevant for a professional in the field of exercise science, fitness management and related disciplines. Students will learn how to screen exercise participants for health risks, to assess basic anthropometrics, body composition, cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, and flexibility in apparently healthy individuals, across the lifespan, using a variety of techniques and technologies. In addition, principles and techniques for recognition and management of non-life-threatening and life-threatening emergencies will be covered. Students will be exposed to evidence-based foundations within the discipline, as well as career options and the role of the exercise, health, and fitness professional in the health, wellness and sport disciplines.

EXSC106 - Functional Anatomy & Resistance Trainig

This course applies principles of anatomy to the study of human motion and resistance training. The course will explore human movement through applied anatomy and biomechanics, as well as through the analysis of exercises and sport movements. Students will be able to identify, describe, execute, and progress common resistance training exercises for the upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk that target specific musculature. Students will utilize their anatomical knowledge base to evaluate exercise technique and form.

EXSC108 - Group Exercise

This course will introduce students to group exercise instruction methods. Students will gain knowledge of and skill in planning exercise sessions for groups of exercisers using a variety of formats and instructional techniques. Communication, instruction, safety, motivation, organization, music selection, and choreography with be discussed and practiced. In addition, the application of common anatomy, physiology, and behavior modification principles will be used in designing and progressing group exercise sessions. A variety of fitness activities will be explored including sports conditioning, circuit training, boot camp, step aerobics, kickboxing, strength training, yoga and indoor cycling. This course will also prepare students to sit for national certification exams.

EXSC209 - Performance Nutrition

This course studies the effects, benefits, and sources of major nutrients. It includes an overview of nutritional issues involved in disease processes and nutritional needs for an active population. Special focus on patient assessment and development of dietary plans based on energy expenditure. Prerequisites: BIO 205, BIO 206.

EXSC211 - Principles of Personal Training

This course prepares students for national certification exams as personal trainers. Each class addresses pertinent topics of the health fitness professional. These topics include health screening and assessment and comprehensive program design for multiple populations. The course empowers students with the skills necessary to become qualified fitness professionals.

EXSC340 - Research Concepts

This course covers research concepts in the healthcare and fitness industry including the logic of experimental and correlational designs, issues of control, sampling, measurement of variables, ethical issues in research, use of online professional search procedures, and writing in APA style. Students engage in various aspects of the research process culminating in a research paper on a discipline specific topic. Prerequisite: MATH208.

EXSC405 - Org & Admin of Health & Sports Programs

This course presents the principles of managing physical education, intramural and athletic programs, commercial fitness and strength and conditioning/sports performance businesses, issues, scheduling, staff, financial planning and related duties of faculty mangers. Likewise, it is important to note that this is a writing intensive course. Prerequisites: Junior Standing

EXSC410 - Exercise Science Field Experience I

This is an off-campus experience in a hospital, clinic, corporate, university or commercial setting, as appropriate. Concepts, theories, and practices learned in the classroom are applied in a supervised setting. Students must successfully complete at least 150 hours of field experience in addition to written assignments. Prerequisites: EXSC302, EXSC305, current CPR/AED certification

HEM205 - Private Club Management

This course explores many areas vital to the success of club management, including business, finance, food, beverage, facilities, sales, operations, and multiple recreational activities while stressing the supreme importance of customer service quality. By taking this course, students will explore a field that covers all aspects of the hospitality industry. We are privileged to be in a great location, close to many of the area’s most notable private clubs, which provides students with employment experience and internship opportunities. Prerequisite: HEM 101

MATH208 - Statistics

This is an introductory course in descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include: data analysis, and graphical methods of describing data, measures of central tendency and variability, probability, the normal distribution, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression analysis. Prerequisites: MATH 106 with a grade of C or better or demonstrated competency through placement testing and ENG 102.

PSYC101 - Psychological Perspectives (KP)

In this course, students learn to think like psychologists as they study classic and contemporary topics in human behavior, feeling, and thought. Students learn to apply psychological perspectives of thought, including biological, cognitive, sociocultural, humanistic, psychodynamic, and behaviorist, to better understand the human experience. Students will learn to use these perspectives to explore how individual behavior is influenced by and influences one’s biology, family, community and society. Topics may include human development, personality, psychopathology, human relationships, language, memory, perceptual processes, and intelligence, among others.