About the Integrative Nutrition Program
The Integrative Nutrition specialized certificate is a career-focused training program designed for those who want to learn about food as medicine and to coach their patients and clients, families and friends, and members of their communities in understanding the value of food and nutrition as a means to promote health and wellness and prevent and combat disease. This program is designed for existing health professionals, those who aspire to careers in healthcare, and interested laypersons in San Diego, Southern California and beyond who seek to develop or deepen a focus in diet and nutrition with a holistic orientation.
It is composed of online and live sessions taught by UC San Diego health professionals, acclaimed researchers and authors, and expert plant-based chefs. It provides the skills and knowledge required for a basic foundation in the rapidly growing field of Integrative Nutrition.
Certificate Benefits
The program has been approved by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) for MD's and DO's to meet the Foundational Nutrition coursework requirement in Nutrition needed to sit for the BCNS credentialing exam and obtain their Clinical Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential. The program also meets continuing education requirements for all holders of a CNS credential. https://www.nutritionspecialists.org/
Who should take the certificate?
This program is designed for
- existing health professionals
- those who aspire to careers in healthcare
- those who seek to develop or deepen a focus in diet and nutrition with a holistic orientation
Demand and Job Prospects
Healthcare in the U.S. has been dramatically shifting in recent years toward greater focus on prevention and wellness, as evidenced by the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. In 2011, the National Prevention Strategy (NPS) of the ACA was released with a stated goal of increasing the number of healthy Americans at every stage of life. Nutrition and healthy eating were listed as one of its seven primary priority areas.
Healthcare professionals will be able to utilize the certificate to expand their existing scope of practice by incorporating the use of food as medicine. Program graduates will be able to provide services such as counseling and coaching in the following areas:
- Use of food as medicine
- Diet-centered home health assistance
- Healthy and natural food production for individuals
- Groups, schools, and businesses
- Personal and group cooking instruction
These types of services will help meet the needs of additional target audiences including new parents and younger people with a growing awareness of the importance of wellness, disease prevention, and self-care, as well as the rapidly increasing population of baby boomers with age-related health concerns.
Certificate Benefits
The program meets continuing education requirements for all holders of a CNS credential.
Foundations in Nutrition I and II offered through the UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies Integrative Nutrition certificate program provide 60 CE units to fulfill the Foundational Nutrition coursework eligibility requirements for the MD/DO pathway to the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS). BCNS requires MD/DOs to complete other specific coursework, obtain a passing exam score, and document 1,000 hours of clinical nutrition practice experience. BCNS reviews each candidate individually, including current course descriptions, transcripts, and experience to determine eligibility. To learn more about becoming a CNS, visit www.NutritionSpecialists.org.
Courses offered by the UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies Integrative Nutrition certificate program are eligible for 10 CE units per course unit for current Certified Nutrition Specialists.
Who should take the certificate?
This program is designed for:
- Existing health professionals
- Those who aspire to careers in healthcare
- Those who seek to develop or deepen a focus in diet and nutrition with a holistic orientation
- College-level coursework in relevant areas of at least one of these subjects is preferred: culinary arts, non-dietary healing arts, dietetics, nutrition, biology (biochemistry, cell/plant biology or microbiology), or chemistry (inorganic, organic, or analytical). However, individuals are welcome to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Cooking experience is not required, but will be helpful
Demand and Job Prospects
Healthcare in the U.S. has been dramatically shifting in recent years toward greater focus on prevention and wellness, as evidenced by the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. In 2011, the National Prevention Strategy (NPS) of the ACA was released with a stated goal of increasing the number of healthy Americans at every stage of life. Nutrition and healthy eating were listed as one of its seven primary priority areas.
Healthcare professionals will be able to utilize the certificate to expand their existing scope of practice by incorporating the use of food as medicine. Program graduates will be able to provide services such as counseling and coaching in the following areas:
- Use of food as medicine
- Diet-centered home health assistance
- Healthy and natural food production for individuals
- Groups, schools, and businesses
- Personal and group cooking instruction
These types of services will help meet the needs of additional target audiences including new parents and younger people with a growing awareness of the importance of wellness, disease prevention, and self-care, as well as the rapidly increasing population of baby boomers with age-related health concerns.
Integrative Nutrition
Part I Core Courses
All courses required
Part II Practical
All courses required
Industry Certification
Foundations in Nutrition I and II offered through the UCSD Extension Integrative Nutrition certificate program provide 60 CE units to fulfill the Foundational Nutrition coursework eligibility requirements for the MD/DO pathway to the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS). BCNS requires MD/DOs to complete other specific coursework, obtain a passing exam score, and document 1,000 hours of clinical nutrition practice experience. BCNS reviews each candidate individually, including current course descriptions, transcripts, and experience to determine eligibility. To learn more about becoming a CNS, visit www.NutritionSpecialists.org.
Courses offered by the UC San Diego Extension Integrative Nutrition certificate program are eligible for 10 CE units per course unit for current Certified Nutrition Specialists.
Advisory Board
Cheryl Anderson, PhD, MPH, MS
Larry Cooper, J.D.
Norman Frazier
Ann Jaffe, RD
Lawrence Kushi, Sc.D.
Lauray MacElhern, MBA
Sheila Patel, MD
Joe Raffa, EdD
Dana Reed, M.S., C.N.S., C.D.N.
Jean Richardson
Gordon Saxe, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.N.
Colleen Someck
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