Overview
Credits Per Trimester
5
TOTAL CREDITS
15
Duration
3 trimesters
Trimester of Entry
Fall
FORMAT
Online
COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE: This program will next enroll students for the Fall 2023 trimester. This program will be delivered in its standard online format for students entering the program in the Fall 2023 trimester; the program can be completed by taking only online classes, and there are no requirements to come to campus.
The Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) in Nutrition and Integrative Health provides evidence-based nutrition training specifically for health professionals and those with advanced science training and integrates a biochemical and molecular understanding of nutrition into a broader context of whole food healing and whole person health and wellness care. MUIH offers the only PMC in Nutrition and Integrative Health in the U.S., and it is one of the few nutrition programs to offer whole foods cooking labs that apply nutrition theory. This program sets graduates apart from their peers with core competencies and broader expertise and patient and client reach in the rapidly growing field of holistic, integrative nutrition. This 15-credit program can be completed fully online in 3 trimesters (one year).
Audience
This program is designed for healthcare and wellness professionals who are not licensed nutritionists/dietitians but can legally provide nutrition care. This includes providers living in a state where: their healthcare license includes nutrition; their healthcare license is exempt from nutrition law; their profession is exempt from nutrition licensure requirements; nutrition care is not criminalized for those without a license; or there is no licensure law for nutrition.
A variety of healthcare and wellness professionals may find this program useful and relevant to their work including physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, advance practice registered nurses, acupuncturists, herbalists, health and wellness coaches, athletic trainers and fitness coaches, massage therapists, mental health professionals, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dentists, pharmacists, osteopaths, and chiropractors.
The certificate provides healthcare and wellness professionals with skills and knowledge in the field of nutrition to address patient and client health concerns and to educate patients and clients on the role of whole foods and nutrition supplementation in the maintenance of health and wellness. Before enrolling in the program, applicants should check state laws to understand the parameters for nutrition practice within their state.
Note: While anyone who meets the formal admission requirements is eligible to enroll in the Post-Master’s Certificate, those who do not currently work with patients/clients, and those who wish to become certified or licensed nutritionists, are encouraged instead to enroll in MUIH’s Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health program. The Post-Master’s Certificate alone does not provide foundational skills in patient/client-practitioner interactions or meet eligibility requirements for nutrition certification (see Licensure, Certification, & Credentialing section below for more details).
Program Description
This program explores both contemporary nutrition science and traditional dietary practices and provides a critical evaluation of current paradigms of nutrition, food, and health. Students integrate a biochemical and molecular understanding of nutrition into a broader context of whole food healing and whole person health and wellness care.
The program provides students the opportunity to study in a cohort of like-minded healthcare and wellness professionals in a scholarly community centered entirely on wellness. Together, students focus on practical patient/client applications such as creating nutrition care plans using whole foods and nutritional supplementation; helping patients/clients distinguish between food fads, trends, and sound nutrition information; and learning to apply and teach whole foods cooking.
Of the 15 credits required for this program, students take 11 core credits and 4 elective credits. Elective courses provide the opportunity to focus on applied areas of interest, including sports nutrition, mindful eating, whole food preparation, or diabetes education.
Admission Requirements
| Trimester of Entry: | Fall |
| Application Priority Deadline: | Application deadline by Trimester |
| General Requirements: |
|
| Program Specific Requirements: | Applicants must:
Complete Essay Questions in application:
|
Curriculum
This program consists of 11 credits of required courses and 4 credits of elective courses.
Required Courses
- ISCI626 Nutritional Biochemistry (3 cr)
- NUTR601 Redefining Nutrition (1 cr)
- NUTR613 Human Nutrition: Macronutrients and Micronutrients (3 cr)
- NUTR633 Integrative Client Care: Nutrition Assessment, Applied Biochemistry, and Treatment Planning (4 cr)
Elective Courses
The program consists of 4 credits of elective courses. Choose a total of 4 credits from the following elective course options. Elective offerings vary by trimester – check the Schedule of Courses for availability.
- NUTR622 Advanced Biochemistry, Pathophysiology, and Assessment (3 cr)
- NUTR634 Diabetes Education: An Integrative Approach (1 cr)
- NUTR641 Life Cycle Nutrition (3 cr)
- NUTR663 Sports Nutrition (1 cr)
- NUTR665 Dynamics of Food and Healing (1 cr)
- NUTR668 Culinary Herbs in the Kitchen and Beyond (1 cr)
- NUTR672 Mindful Eating and Nourishment (2 cr)
- NUTR681 Cooking with Whole Foods Lab I (0.5 cr)
- NUTR682 Cooking with Whole Foods Lab II (0.5 cr)
- NUTR683 Cooking with Whole Foods Lab III (0.5 cr)
- NUTR684 Cooking with Whole Foods Lab IV (0.5 cr)
- NUTR687 Cooking with Whole Foods Lab VII (0.5 cr)
- NUTR688 Cooking with Whole Foods Lab VIII (0.5 cr)
Course Descriptions
Course descriptions are available in the Academic Catalog.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program students will be able to:
- Integrate core nutrition competencies into current clinical practice and/or professional work.
- Incorporate knowledge of human nutrition and treatment strategies into clinical practice and tailor research projects to develop the evidence base for integrative nutrition.
- Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of nutrition that incorporates biochemical, physiological, environmental, and traditional perspectives.
- Assess the relationship between nutrients and biochemical/physiological processes and the various synergistic, antagonistic effects of nutrients.
Program Format & Schedule
Program Format
This program is offered in the online format. Click here to view MUIH’s definition of online, hybrid, and on-campus course and program formats. This program is delivered in peer cohort format.
Program Schedule
For trimester start and end dates, see the Academic Calendar.
The schedule of courses for this program is shown below.
Trimester 1
- ISCI626 Nutritional Biochemistry (3 cr)
- NUTR601 Redefining Nutrition (1 cr)
Trimester 2
- NUTR613 Human Nutrition: Macronutrients and Micronutrients (3 cr)
- Elective courses (2 cr recommended)
Trimester 3
- NUTR633 Integrative Client Care: Nutrition Assessment, Applied Biochemistry, and Treatment Planning (4 cr)
- Elective courses (2 cr recommended)
Tuition & Fees
Fall 2023 Intake
| Course Code | Cost per Credit | # of Credits | Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISCI | $953 | 3 | $2,859 |
| NUTR | $953 | 12 | $11,436 |
| Total | 15 | $14,295 |
*Prices subject to change. Tuition costs are for illustrative purposes only.
Timeline
| Average Credits per Trimester | Typical Completion Time |
|---|---|
| 5 | 3 Trimesters |
Additional Fees
| Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Non-Refundable Tuition Deposit | $150 |
| University Fee (per trimester) | $275 All students, including students taking a voluntary break in enrollment. Click here to learn more about the fee. |
| Late Registration Fee |
$75/course After registration deadline and before start of the schedule adjustment period for current students$150/course During the schedule adjustment period for current and new students who have confirmed before the late confirmed student registration period begins |
| Cooking Lab Fee | NUTR 681 – $40/course NUTR 682 – $40/course NUTR 683 – $45/course NUTR 684 – $45/course NUTR 686 – $30/course NUTR 687 – $40/course NUTR 688 – $40/course |
| Cooking Kit Fee | $225 M.S. in Nutrition and Integrative Health students (1st trimester) and other students taking cooking labs (NUTR 681 – 689) |
| Herb Kit Fee | Students enrolled in the following herbal medicine courses: HRB 605 $160 HRB 614 $185 HRB 622 $150 HRB 642 $220 HRB 653 $85 HRB 705 $180 Due to international customs requirements, we do not ship herb kits outside of the United States Facilities/Food fee: HRB 636 $175 |
| Credit Card Adjustment Fee | 2.75% of amount paid by credit card |
| Graduation Fee | $75 |
Licensure, Certification, & Credentialing
Licensure
Licensing requirements for nutritionists vary by state. To learn the most up-to-date laws and regulations, please refer to each state’s board of dietetic practice, or go to https://theana.org/advocate.
Certification
Graduates of the Post-Master’s Certificate in Nutrition and Integrative Health may meet the eligibility requirements of several national nutrition boards. Eligibility will be contingent upon degrees and coursework completed prior to entry into MUIH’s Post-Master’s Certificate program. Completion of the Post-Master’s Certificate alone does not meet eligibility requirements for certification. Please contact the appropriate board in your state with questions, and review licensing laws by state for the most up-to-date information.
- Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
The Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) administers the advanced certification for personalized nutrition practitioners: Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS). Depending upon a student’s prior degrees and coursework, the Post-Master’s Certificate in Nutrition and Integrative Health may complete the educational requirements needed for graduates to sit for the CNS exam. The board reviews each applicant individually to determine eligibility. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements with the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists.
In addition to passing the exam, the BCNS also requires that applicants complete 1000 hours of supervised practice experience. MUIH offers the Nutrition Practice Experience to complete the supervised clinical practice hours.
- Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN)
The Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB) reviews each applicant individually. They review all transcripts to determine eligibility. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements with the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board.
- Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition®
Requires at least one herbal elective course. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements with the Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board.
Career Opportunities
The role of food in preventing and treating a variety of illnesses is now well known and recognized, and more health care professionals will be needed to provide care for patients with various medical conditions and to advise people who want to improve their overall health. Health care professionals with advanced nutrition skills and knowledge will support the continued projected growth of healthcare occupations in the U.S.
Graduates of MUIH’s nutrition programs are employed in a variety of settings including private practice; integrative group practices; nutrition clinics; health care systems; hospitals; community, non-profit, and outreach organizations; state and local health departments; school systems; culinary organizations; athletic and recreational organizations; and colleges and universities. Many graduates chose to have a portfolio career in which they have multiple positions and employers within one or more profession, rather than one full-time job. A portfolio career provides such individuals with variety in their work life and the opportunity to develop a wide and varied professional network.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects healthcare occupations to grow 13% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth rate for nutritionists and dieticians is projected to be 7% during this same time period.
Upcoming Webinars
Take a look at what our Post-Masters Certificate in Nutrition & Integrative Health program offers and how MUIH is the choice for you!
Mon
26
Webinar | Doctor of Clinical Nutrition Program – Progressing Your Career
June 26 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm EDT
Wed
28
Virtual Open House for Maryland University of Integrative Health
June 28 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT
Program Administration
Department Chair
Eleonora Gafton, D.C.N.
Program Director, Cooking Labs
Elizabeth Owens, M.S.
Director, Experiential Programs
Jennifer Swetz, M.S.
Nutrition Clinic Coordinator
Alexandra Wick
Department Manager
Nissa Lazenby-Wilson, M.S.
Cooking Lab Assistant Manager
Casey Simms, M.A.
Academic Advisor
Laura Steck
Academic Advisor