Use your MyCAA Scholarship to get your degree from Lionel!

Use your Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship for courses at Lionel University! 

Lionel is the ONLY University in the country devoted solely to fitness education. Our programs are specifically designed to be flexible so you can easily manage your coursework from anywhere. The 100% online curriculum focuses on real-world principles, and is specifically created to help you apply your knowledge to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

  • 100% online with flexible start dates

  • $0 application fee and $0 transfer credit evaluation

  • Federal student aid available

  • MyCAA accepted!

  • No SAT/ACT scores required

Download our Military Tuition Assistance guide to learn more about MyCAA benefits

Friendly2122

We’re proud to be in the top 8% of Military Friendly® schools.

The Military Friendly® Schools list is based on public data sources for nearly 9,000 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and survey responses. Only 8% of these schools (747) earned the designation in 2021-2022.

Military Benefits Concierge

Lionel Fast Facts

3200 Successful Graduates
31 Years in Business
796 Active Students
95% Student Satisfaction
13 Average Class Size
$0 Required for Textbooks

A University Education You Can Trust

1 on 1 support

Each student is assigned a program advisor who is available to answer questions, provide support, and guide your progress through the program. Instructors engage from day one, hold regular office hours via the online classroom, and provide individual in-depth feedback.

Earn fitness credentials as you progress

The degree program is structured so that you earn personal training and fitness credentials as you progress. Depending on your degree plan, you could earn your first personal training cert within the first 10 weeks.

Rigorous accreditation

Proud to be accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Fast and easy to get started

There is no cost to apply and no test scores are required for admission. Up to 2/3 of the degree requirements can be fulfilled through transfer credit, and evaluations are completed at no charge.

100% online. Flexible to your need

Our 100% online curriculum is built to flex with your busy schedule. With classes starting almost every month, the College of Exercise Science empowers you to complete your education on your timeline.

Action-oriented curriculum built by fitness professionals

Our curriculum is developed and honed by seasoned fitness professionals with decades of experience, and taught by a team of engaging faculty committed to helping you succeed in your career of choice.

Federal student aid, tuition assistance, GI Bill® benefits

Federal student aid is available for eligible students in the bachelor’s degree program, associate degree program, or the Master Trainer certificate program. Additionally, active duty military, military spouses, and veterans can use their TA, CA, MyCAA, and GI Bill® benefits for program tuition.

Engaging classroom content

Your online classroom connects you with world-class instructors and committed classmates that share your passion for wellness, all from the comfort of home. You’ll participate in online, collaborative learning with other students, view multimedia presentations of course content, and engage in ongoing forum discussions with instructors and students.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time will I need for coursework?

For a 10-week session, a student should be prepared to spend 3 hours a week on coursework for every course credit.

What kind of financial aid is available?

The bachelor's degree, associate degree, and Master Trainer Certificate programs are eligible for federal student aid (federal grants and student loans). To be eligible, students must

  • Have a high school diploma, GED or state recognized equivalent
  • Be a US Citizen (including US Territories) or eligible resident non-citizen
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Have registered with the Selective Service between ages 18 and 25 (if male)
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Be enrolled in an eligible program

The associate degree and bachelor's degree programs qualify for VA Benefits and Active Duty Military Tuition Assistance (TA).

The associate degree qualifies for MyCAA.

How do I apply?

Beginning your application is easy. Simply fill out the form above and we will walk you through the rest. If you have any questions during, you can ask directly in the application, or give us a call at 800-650-4772.

Do you accept transfer credit?

Yes! Transfer credit is accepted and encouraged. Up to 2/3 of degree requirements can be fulfilled through transfer. NCCA-approved certification courses and ISSA LLC certification courses count toward degree requirements with competency exam (2 max). Transfer credit evaluations are completed at no charge. Official transcripts from the originating institution are required.

How much does it cost?

Tuition rates for Lionel University are nearly 30% lower than in-state tuition of our local UC (University of California) system.

Textbooks are embedded in each online classroom as a provision of Library Services and are available to each student at no cost. That's $0 for textbooks.

Tuition is structured according to the number of credits you register for each quarter, allowing you to pay as you go, rather than invest in the entire year's tuition upfront.

Students have an entire preview week prior to the start of class to explore the course plus the entire first official week to decide if the class is for them. With digital textbooks embedded in each class at no charge, that's two full weeks of class for $0!

Current tuition is $220/credit. Quarterly costs for a full-time student are estimated at around $3300.

Each course concludes with a proctored examination. Students can elect convenient online proctoring through ProctorU for a fee of $22.50 per exam or locate an approved third-party proctor.