SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College's Health and Fitness Science program is working toward an articulation with the following schools -- Appalachian State University, Lenoir-Rhyne University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Wesleyan College, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

"It is my aspiration that our students keep progressing in the field of Exercise Science and take the skills they can immediately use for employment into higher education for research and other career aspirations," said Carl Bryan, CCCC Health and Fitness Science Program Director.

Lisa Godfrey, CCCC Dean of Health Sciences and Human Services, says that the articulation agreements between Central Carolina Community College and these North Carolina universities would create a pathway for graduates of the Health and Fitness Science Program to seamlessly integrate course credits between the community college and the university.

"The Central Carolina Community College Health and Fitness Science Program allows students to start in a small supportive environment before utilizing the articulation agreements as a stepping stone to transition into a larger university setting," said Godfrey. "The articulation agreement is essential to saving time and reducing cost for the student while allowing them to become a credentialed personal trainer who is also working and gaining experience in the Health and Fitness Science field as they are completing an advanced degree."

CCCC students can earn their Associate in Applied Science in Health and Fitness Science, Diploma in Health and Fitness Science, or Certificate in Health and Fitness Science.

Central Carolina Community College's Health and Fitness Science program prepares multi-skilled fitness professionals to be qualified to perform various skills in the health and fitness industry. Graduates of the Health and Fitness Science program will be required to sit for the American Council on Exercise Personal Trainer Certification Exam before graduation. Graduates may also be eligible to sit for a variety of other examinations that pertain to the health and fitness industry.

Careers in the Health and Fitness Science field include jobs such as YMCA staff, fitness studios, parks and recreation departments, hospitals, sports performance facilities, coaches, and personal training.

"Anyone that wishes to have hands-on work in the physical education, health and wellness fields should consider CCCC as their first option in their educational journey," said Bryan.

The Health & Fitness Science program still has seats remaining for fall 2017. CCCC is extending its deadline for applications to the Health & Fitness Science program to July 24. Applicants will be admitted to the program on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis. All information and requirements must be completed and submitted to CCCC by July 24 at 5 p.m.

After completing the general application for admission to Central Carolina Community College and submitting official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, applicants should contact Daniel Berndt, Admissions Counselor for this program. His email address is dberndt@cccc.edu.

For more information on the CCCC Health and Fitness Science program, contact Program Director Carl Bryan at 919-718-7554 or by email at cbryan@cccc.edu.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College, visit the College website at www.cccc.edu.