The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) announced today the launch of the industry's first fully secure and monitored online Personal Trainer Certification course available through www.afaa.com.
Personal Trainer Certification Online is AFAA's premiere eAFAA course, combining AFAA's industry leading personal trainer certification standards with the convenience of independent self study, and the security of third-party monitoring and authenticating systems.
The launch comes days after AFAA was accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). This fulfills IHRSA's 2005 recommendation on accreditation. The Accrediting Commission of DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency; and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
According to a study released by the U.S. Department of Education in May 2009, “on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.” The findings are also supported by the rising number of students in online education -- more than 4.6 million college and university students enrolled in online courses, according to the Sloan Consortium's latest annual report published in 2009.
While this signals an area of growth for AFAA, Stevens says the Personal Trainer Certification Online course will not replace AFAA's staple three-day Personal Fitness Trainer Certification workshop. The online course, she says, is simply an optional way for those who cannot attend a workshop to attain certification through AFAA.
Composed of a series of 14 video lectures, the course meets the rigorous criteria established by the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE). AFAA is providing the industry with its first fully online secure, credible and convenient course for personal trainer certification.
The course includes an online, third-party monitored multiple-choice exam, as well as an online practical exam given by an AFAA instructor utilizing AFAA's proprietary, secure Multitraining Live web-conferencing system.
Participants can learn at their own pace with 14 dynamic streaming video lectures, a downloadable study guide, and sample multiple-choice questions. Participants can also watch a series of short video lecture review clips to refresh their memory on key points of the video lectures.
In addition, course participants have face-to-face online access to AFAA instructors through Multitraining Live, AFAA's interactive, live one-on-one (or group) video web-conferencing system. Included with the course is one (1) 50-minute group Multitraining Live session, with extra 50-minute one-on-one sessions available for an additional fee.
Upon completion of the course, including watching all 14 streaming video lectures, participants will take an independently monitored two-hour, 120 question multiple-choice exam, followed by an independently monitored practical exam with an AFAA instructor, all online! To successfully complete this course, participants must pass both the multiple-choice and practical examinations, and provide current CPR certification.
Upon successful completion of the course, currently certified AFAA Instructors can earn 18 CEUs.
The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America has been the world's largest fitness and Telefitness educator since 1983, issuing more than 250,000 AFAA certifications to fitness professionals in 73 countries. Each year, health clubs and studios host more than 3,000 AFAA educational workshops worldwide.
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April 6 2010
