Occupational Endorsement Certificates

Health, Physical Education & Recreation
Health, Physical Education & Recreation
Occupational Endorsement Certificates

Occupational Endorsement Certificates

 
 

What is an OEC?

Occupational Endorsement Certificates (OECs) are certificates requiring 29 or fewer credits to complete. These certificates provide the specialized knowledge and skills needed in specific employment sectors. OECs are noted on transcripts.
 
 
 

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission to an occupational endorsement certificate program a student must satisfy the UAA Admissions Requirements for Occupational Endorsement Certificates found in the  UAA Catalog, Chapter 7, Academic Standards and Regulations.

 
 
 

Academic Progress

A minimum grade of B or better in each required course.
 
 
 

Occupational Endorsement Certificate, Fitness Leadership (OEC-FL)

The Fitness Leadership Occupational Endorsement Certificate provides students the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a career in the ever-changing fitness industry. An array of career possibilities is available to individuals who successfully complete this program in group fitness instruction or personal training.

This comprehensive program provides students with 90 hours of leadership training in exercise theory and practice and 60 hours of training in their chosen fitness specialty or emphasis area: Group Fitness Leader or Personal Trainer. All classes combine current fitness research and training techniques with practical, hands-on teaching experience. This program follows the guidelines established by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

The Fitness Leadership Occupational Endorsement Certificate is designed to provide quality education and training to individuals interested in working in the fitness industry. Of the required 10 credits, 7 include lecture courses and 3 are laboratory sessions. The labs are enhanced by practicum experiences that reinforce skills, knowledge, and leadership qualities. Students receive training in basic applied kinesiology and exercise physiology, nutrition and healthy weight loss, injury prevention, fitness assessment, legal considerations, special populations, health screening, leadership and motivation.

 
 
 

Occupational Endorsement Certificate, Fitness Leadership Requirements

Complete the following required courses (7 credits):
DN A101    Principles of Nutrition - 3 cr
                 or
DN A203    Nutrition for Health Sciences - 3 cr
PEP A112  First Aid and CPR for Professionals - 1 cr
PEP A115   Fitness Leadership/Group Fitness and Personal Training - 3 cr

Complete the required courses within one of the following two emphasis areas (3 credits):

Emphasis Area: Group Fitness Leader

PEP A116   Techniques in Group Fitness Instruction - 2 cr
Choose PER activity course related to specialty - 1 cr

Emphasis Area: Personal Trainer

PEP A117    Techniques in Personal Training - 2 cr
PER A118    Beginning Weight Training - 1 cr

A total of 10 credits is required for this certificate.

 
 
 

Program Outcomes

Occupational Endorsement Certificate, Fitness Leadership (OEC-FL)

Students who complete this program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate multiple methods for assessing fitness.
  • Direct and re-direct skillful movement based on underlying anatomical and physiological mechanisms.
  • Apply the principles of fitness in accordance with nationally-recognized standards.
  • Communicate basic nutritional concepts.
  • Utilize appropriate motivational strategies.
  • Employ safety and injury prevention techniques as well as emergency response procedures.
Group Fitness Leader Emphasis

Students who complete the Group Fitness emphasis will also be able to:

  • Develop content and sequencing for group exercise.
  • Lead a variety of activities.
Personal Training Emphasis

Students who complete the Personal Training emphasis will also be able to:

  • Develop appropriate fitness programs for individuals of diverse ages and/or with varying conditions.
 
 
 

Occupational Endorsement Certificate, Outdoor Leadership (OEC-OL)

The Outdoor Leadership Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC) is designed to provide quality education and training to individuals interested in working in the outdoor recreation industry. The OEC-OL provides students the opportunity to acquire the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for an entry level position in the ever-changing recreation and tourism industry. An array of career possibilities is available to individuals who successfully complete this program. Students can enter into the field of outdoor/adventure education, guiding, activity/recreation therapy, or as a recreation specialist. There are positions in the government, non-profit, ecotourism, education, health care and for-profit sectors of industry.This comprehensive program provides students with 19 credits of training in technical outdoor skills, judgment, decision making, leadership and risk assessment and hazard evaluation. Nine credits comprise the core curriculum. The student can then choose an emphasis area in water-based or land-based outdoor leadership. Classes combine current recreation research and instructional techniques with practical, hands-on teaching experience with extended field application. The field-based courses allow for practical skill application that reinforces technical knowledge, skills, abilities and refinement of leadership skills.
 
 
 

Occupational Endorsement Certificate, Outdoor Leadership Requirements

Complete the following required courses (9 credits):
PEP A262    Foundations of Outdoor Recreation - 3 cr 
PEP A365    FirOutdoor LeadershipTheory and Practice - 3 cr
PEP A169    Four-Season Backpacking - 3 cr

Complete the required courses within one of the following two emphasis areas (10 credits):

Emphasis Area: Water-Based Leadership

PEP A467D   Water-Based Outdoor Leadership- 2 cr
PER A150     Water Safety and Rescue - 1 cr
PER A151     Beginning Canoeing - 1 cr
PER A152     Beginning River Rafting - 1 cr
PER A153     Beginning Sea Kayaking - 1 cr
PER A252     Intermediate River Rafting - 2 cr
PER A253     Intermediate Sea Kayaking - 2 cr

Emphasis Area: Land-Based Leadership

PEP A467C   Land-Based Outdoor Leadership - 2 cr
PER A146     Beginning Rock Climbing - 1 cr
PER A147     Beginning Ice Climbing - 1 cr
PER A164     Skiing Alaska's Backcountry - 2 cr
PER A165     Avalanche Hazard Recognition and Evaluation - 1 cr
PER A181     Crevasse Rescue Techniques - 1 cr

Choose one of the following (2 credits):
PER A246     Intermediate Rock Climbing - 2 cr
PER A287     Expedition Backpacking - 2 cr

A total of 19 credits is required for this certificate.

Other requirements:
Pass a swim test and possess current Wilderness First Responder Certification from a recognized institution at time of  completion.

 
 
 

Program Outcomes

Occupational Endorsement Certificate, Outdoor Leadership (OEC-OL)

Students who complete this program will be able to:

  • Apply risk assessment, hazard evaluation and mitigation techniques while in the outdoors.
  • Demonstrate technical and leadership skills through hands-on field experiences.
  • Apply leadership theories and decision making models in-action while in the outdoors.
  • Develop advanced level technical skills in desired emphasis area.
  • Develop trip/expedition plans including matching objectives with clients, route selection with alternatives, permitting, budgeting, menus, equipment selection, food purchase and preparation, logistics, risk mitigation, and communication.
  • Successfully evaluate risks associated with outdoor activities and identify methods to reduce
    and/or mediate risk.
  • Demonstrate quantitative reasoning skills in a recreation context.