One of the biggest questions I get from people is about what nutrition school to attend and how to run a successful private practice. As someone who’s done all their research, been through a certificate and Masters program and run a successful private practice for 6 years now, I want to share what I know. I also see a lot of misinformation out there, especially on Instagram and I wanted to clear some of it up.
I’ve broken this down into certificate programs, which nearly anyone can apply to attend, and Master’s programs. As someone interested in holistic nutrition these are your best options, especially if this is second career or large career change for you. I was in my 30s when I went and got my certificate and changed a career after my decade in graphic and UX design.
However, if you are straight out of high school, you’ll want to look at the certificate programs and bachelor programs (which there are plenty of, but especially if you want to go the registered dietitian route).
First, let’s start with some definitions around a few different terms:
Integrative Health - This is a combination of different disciplines in health care, blending Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and conventional medicine to form a collaborative team in a partnership with the patient, centered around the patient’s health and whole person.
Functional Medicine - The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) defines this “a systems biology–based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. Each symptom or differential diagnosis may be one of many contributing to an individual's illness.”
Holistic Health -This is based on the view that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The interconnection between the parts creates something greater this includes physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. A holistic approach focusses on a person's wellness and not just their illness or condition.
(Note: I sourced this information from school sites, I believe to be most up to date. Please let me know if you see anything that you think is incorrect.)
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS:
Bauman College
Certification Type/Title: Nutritional Consultant (NC)
Qualifications: Accredited school, allowed to sit for National Association for Nutritional Practitioners (NANP) board exam for Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist® (BCHN®)
Program Length: 15-18 months
Cost: ~ $10,000
Location: Physical campus in Berkley, CA + virtual online campus
This is the original and oldest nutrition program started by Dr. Ed Bauman in 1989 in Berkley, California. It’s 12 months classroom learning in nutrition and holistic health, and a small business module followed by 3 months to do your final research project. 30 years later, they are still open and educating so many people, plus Ed Bauman is personally very involved! I love that!
In 2015, this is where I got my nutrition education, back when they still had a physical Boulder, Colorado campus. I loved it and would recommend that experience all day every day. The teachers were top-notch, including Erin Livers, Stacee Novotny, Michael Pierce and Brigitte Mars. For me the act of sitting in a classroom with others, having engaging conversations and being able to ask questions is the best way for me to learn. However, the physical location in Boulder is no longer there and their only physical locations are their home base in Berkley, California. Otherwise, you can always go through their online program no matter where you are.
A couple of other littler-known facts… Dr. Bauman helped to found the National Association for Nutritional Practitioners (NANP). Many of the teachers at Bauman are responsible for writing the exam questions on the NANP Board Exam in Holistic Nutrition (BCHN).
Some of the more well-known Bauman graduates: Diane Sanfilippo of Balanced Bites, Blair Horton of Holistic Rendezvous, and Erika Elizabeth. Diane Sanfilippo has a great article on why she choose Bauman here.
Nutrition Therapy Institute (NTI)
Certification Type/Title: Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner (CNTP) or Master Nutrition Practitioner (MNP)
Qualifications: Allowed to sit for National Association for Nutritional Practitioners (NANP) board exam for Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist® (BCHN®)
Program Length: 1-3 years depending on type of certificate and part or full time status
Cost: $8,065 for CNTP + an additional $4,210 for MNP
Location: Physical campus near Denver, CO + online virtual campus
Opened in 1999, NTI is physically located just outside Denver, Colorado. It’s also offers online programs as well. The CNTP program will take 1 year to complete and the MNP will take an additional year after the CNTP program, for a total of 2 years for the MNP, as a full-time student. As an MNP you can sit for the NANP board-certified holistic nutrition exam.
Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA)
Certification Type/Title: Nutrition Therapy Consultant (NTC) or Nutrition Therapy Practitioner (NTP)
Qualifications: Allowed to sit for National Association for Nutritional Practitioners (NANP) board exam for Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist® (BCHN®)
Program Length: 9 months
Cost: $3,900-$5,400
Location: Online + in-person workshops
NTA was incorporated in 1997 by Gray and Joy Graham to educate and train healthcare providers in holistic wellness. In 2001, NTA partnered with South Puget Sound Community College to start officially providing the NTP certification. In 2012, NANP included NTA in their list of approved training programs. And in 2013 they offered their first fully online program (NTC).
NTA does an amazing job at marketing their programs, especially in the social media world. They have lots of social media influencers touting their certification. They also offer a monetary reward for those that refer others to their program.
Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
Certification Type/Title: Certified Health Coach
Program Length: 6 months, up to a year
Cost: $5,995
Location: Online virtual campus
This was the first school to provide a health coaching certificate in 1992. They teach a three-part curriculum: nutrition, coaching and business. They have a lot of amazing well-known teachers and graduates. From what I have read and those I have talked with, their program is NOT a nutrition program. Though they do talk about nutrition and the role it plays in a holistic manner, it’s only a third of their 6-month program. I am 100% confident in saying a couple months is not enough to call yourself a nutritionist, really know enough and help others in a nutritional-focused way. If you are serious about nutrition as your sole practice, I don’t think this would be the school for you. However, I believe they have such amazing success stories because they do focus two-thirds of their time on coaching and business. If you want to be a more of a well-rounded health and wellness coach this could be a great program. I think this has a lot of value, but it depends on what you would like to focus on and how you want to practice.
MASTERS PROGRAMS:
University of Western States (UWS)
Type: Master of Science in Nutrition and Functional Medicine
Program Length: 2 years full-time
Cost: $22,950
Location: online
This is a Master’s level program that will take 2 years at full-time enrollment. This means when you are finished you will have a Master’s degree and qualify to sit and take exams that will get you a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) and/or Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACNB). Like all masters programs, this means you also need to have a 4-year bachelor’s degree previously, plus specific classes in things like biology, anatomy, and more. If you are interested in this option, I highly recommend you go read this blog post by Katie Lemons of Twist of Lemons who is a graduate.
Maryland University of Integrative Health
Type: Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health
Program Length: 2 years full-time, 3 years part-time
Cost: $40,700
Location: Physical campus outside Baltimore, MD + virtual online campus
This is a Master of science program. You must have a bachelors degree (doesn’t matter what in). If you have a certificate or schooling from IIN or IFM you are exempt from a couple courses. This means when you are finished you will have a Master’s degree and qualify to sit and take exams that will get you a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) and the NANP Board exam.
This is the program I am currently enrolled in (2021-2023). I am working full-time and going to school full-time. It’s possible, and also a lot of work! Around 20-30 hours of school work weekly.
If you are interested in this I suggest you read this blog post by one of their students, Courtney Swan of RealFoodology.
University of Bridgeport
Type: Master of Science in Human Nutrition
Program Length: 2 years full-time
Cost: $35,280
Location: in-person campus in Connecticut + online
Bastyr
Type: Master of Science in Nutrition
Program Length: 2 years
Cost: $25,000
Location: Physical campus in Seattle, WA & San Diego, CA (not online)
This is the only program I know of where you can qualify to sit for the RD exam, as well as CNS, CCN and DACBN titles. You will need a previous bachelors and specific pre-requisite coursework.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you are curious about the difference between working with a registered dietitian (RD) or a nutritionist, I wrote all about it here. The point being make sure it’s someone that you respect and respect you, who is knowledgeable and fits your personality and beliefs. There are bad and good people in both titles. All in all, it is just a title, so make sure they know their stuff!
One last disclaimer, depending on what state you are planning to practice in, you might be able to call yourself a nutritionist with literally zero education. Colorado is one of those states. So please be careful when you are choosing a nutritionist or other health and wellness practitioner. You can look up more about your state and those laws here.
Here’s a list of all school that the NANP recognizes.
Are there other schools of interest that I have not included here?