Certifications


UT Dallas is proud to offer American Red Cross Certification Courses and Certifications for Personal Trainers and Group Fitness instructors.


Courses

American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid

Our CPR/AED/First Aid blended learning certification course will teach you how to recognize and respond to cardiac emergencies and care for people in crisis. What is blended learning? Complete two hours of online learning and then come in to practice the skills you learned.

Members cost: $75
Non-Members: $95

Class Dates
  • Feb. 6 | 2 – 4 p.m. | Activity Center Multipurpose Room Green (AC MPG)
  • March 7 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | AC MPG
  • April 12 | 7 – 9 p.m. | AC MPG

Group Fitness Instructor

University Recreation has partnered with the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFFA) to bring you an educational course on group fitness instruction! At the end of this six-week course, you will have the opportunity to take the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited exam. Upon passing, you will be a Certified Group Fitness Instructor, holding one of the most elite certifications in the industry!

Members cost: $359
Non-Members: $359

Class Dates
  • Fall 2024

Lifeguard Blended Learning

Our Lifeguarding courses are designed and taught by aquatic professionals who train you to keep others safe around the water. You will learn the latest safety and rescue techniques as well as administering CPR, First Aid and AED. You must be 15 years old to attend.
Pre-Course Assessment required.

Members cost: $200
Non-Members Cost: $220

Information about sign-ups for the Pre-Course Assessment will be sent out about two weeks prior to your class. Requirements for the Pre-Course Assessment are :

  1. 150 yard Swim- 2 minute Tread- 50 yard Swim Sequence. Using freestyle, breaststroke or both. Participants must demonstrate rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing, propellant kick. Rhythmic breathing can be performed either by breathing to the side or to the front (goggles may be used).Two minutes of treading water without using your arms. Participants will place their hands under their armpits, on their shoulders or behind their backs. Finish up with a 50 yard swim using Freestyle, breaststroke or both.
  2. The brick test: Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7 to 10 ft, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object, and exit the water without using a ladder or steps, within 1 minute and 40 seconds (goggles may not be used).
Class Dates
  • Jan. 27-28 | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • March 30-31 | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • May 25-26 | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Lifeguard Recertification

This course tests you on all skills taught in the Lifeguarding full course. You must have a current or prior certification that expires no more than 30 days before you take this course. We will be working together to recertify you. Come prepared to perform all lifeguard water rescues, First Aid and CPR/AED skills. If you are unable to perform any skill to the standard, you will not be issued a certificate or a refund. We recommend reviewing the LG manual prior to the course.

Member Cost: $95
Non-Member Cost: $115

Class Dates
  • Feb. 24 | 12 – 7 p.m.
  • April 27 | 12 – 7 p.m.

Lifeguard Instructor

Trains Lifeguarding instructor candidates to teach American Red Cross Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Blended Learning, Shallow Water Lifeguarding, Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding, Waterpark Skills, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Bloodborne Pathogens Training.

Prerequisites: Minimum age is 17, possess a current Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, complete the Online Session for the Lifeguarding Instructor course and complete the pre-course session.

Note: To teach Waterfront Skills, Lifeguarding instructors must possess a basic-level Waterfront Skills certificate.

Member cost: $350
Non-Member cost: $400

Class Dates
  • Feb. 16-18 | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Lifeguard Instructor and Instructor Trainer Recertifications

This in-person Instructor review course is the required course for all Lifeguarding Instructors to re-certify. During this course, Lifeguarding Instructors and Instructor Trainers will participate in an in-water practice and polish skills session in addition to a classroom-based review of Red Cross administrative policies and procedures. Lifeguarding Instructors may also choose to attend a brief “test out” session* at the end of the course to gain a basic-level Lifeguarding certification.

Prerequisites: Must have a current Lifeguard Instructor or Instructor Trainer certification.

Member cost: $95
Non-Member cost: $115
*Lifeguarding certification add-on: $45

Class Dates
  • Feb. 24 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • April 27 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Personal Training Certification

University Recreation has partnered with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) to offer a personal trainer (PT) educational course. Across eight weeks, you will be taken through the NASM PT Certification and will have the opportunity to schedule your test at the end of the course. Pass your test and you will have one of the most elite personal training certifications in the industry. A few of the covered subjects are:

  • Anatomy and biomechanics.
  • Motivational interviewing.
  • Basic periodization and programming.
  • Movement-based assessments and postural analysis.
  • Basic corrective exercise.
  • Proper warmups.
  • Small group training.
  • Various workshops (including cueing, programming, assessments and more).

As academic partners with NASM, University Recreation can offer the following at nearly a 50% discount of the original cost! You will receive the following with your enrollment fee:

  • NCCA accredited exam and one re-take.
  • NASM – CPT digital textbook and hard copy.
  • Lecture videos.
  • Exercise library.
  • Cueing library.
  • Practice exams.
  • Quizzes.
  • Study guide.
  • Anatomy memorization activity.
  • Learning activities.
  • Digital flashcard bundles.
  • An eight-week, in-person course, taught by an experienced professional. This is not normally offered if purchased directly through NASM.

NOTE: This is NOT an academic offering, and you cannot receive semester credit hours for this course.

Members cost: $549
Non-Members: $549

Class Dates
  • Fall 2024

Water Safety Instructor Certification

Learn and practice the techniques needed to teach the Red Cross Learn to Swim program to swimmers of all ages and abilities. Must be 16 years old to attend.

Members cost: $200
Non-Members cost: $220

Class Dates

  • April 4-7 | Thursday/Friday, 5 – 9 p.m. & Saturday/Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Wilderness and Remote First Aid

In this course, you will learn advanced skills to use in outdoor emergencies when help from professional responders may be far away. Must be at least 14 years old and hold a current adult CPR/AED certification.

Member cost: $115
Non-Member cost: $135

Class Dates:

  • N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What does blended learning mean?

Blended learning means that part of your course will be taught through an online module and the other part will be taught in person. The online portion must be completed prior to attending the in person class.

Do I need to register ahead of time?

All of our courses require you to register ahead of time. This is so the participant has time to complete the online learning portion prior to the in-person portion of class.

How many participants per class?

Classes are limited and dependent on instructor-to-participant ratio for the course.

What if I’m running late?

If a participant is more than 15 minutes late or they have not completed the online portion of the course, they will be asked to leave and will not receive a refund.

I have a commitment during part of the course. Can I make it up on another day?

Unfortunately, no, a participant must attend the entire session to be eligible for certification. There are no make up days.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

For more information on Red Cross courses, please call 972-883-2078.

For more information on fitness courses, please call 972-883-2090

Please note all dates, times, and locations are subject to change.