Nutrition Articles by Amanada J. Clary

Welcome to the Nutrition Articles by Amanada J. Clary of Nutrition Certification

How to become a nutritionist online

It's fairly easy to become a certified nutritionist online – but perhaps in some cases, it's too easy. Whether you choose to pursue a nutritionist's education at a traditional brick-and-mortar school, or if you choose to attend an online school because it fits better with your schedule and lifestyle, gaining a degree in nutrition is the first step to becoming a certified nutritionist.

In other words, watch out for professional nutritionist associations that exist primarily online. The purpose of many of these organizations, it would seem, is to charge money for a certification that is often not worth the paper it's printed on. If you are truly interested in pursuing a career as a certified nutritionist, and you want to get started online, here are some suggestions.

Reputable Names in the World of Online Education

Of the states that regulate use of the title “nutritionist”, almost all of them require a four-year Bachelor's degree in dietetics or nutrition. Without an accredited four-year degree, you will probably not be able to meet your state's licensing requirements. What does it mean for a university or program to be “accredited”? Accreditation is also a slippery term; just as there are online professional nutritionist associations that offer a worthless certificate,
there are also worthless accreditation associations.

To be truly accredited, a college or university must have earned its accreditation from a national or regional organization recognized by the US Department of Education. Here are a few of the more reputable online schools that offer accredited Bachelor's degrees in nutrition and dietetics:

* Kaplan University: Offers a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition Science. Accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher education by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

* Penn Foster Schools: Offers a degree in Fitness and Nutrition. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools, and by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training
Council.

* Auburn University: Auburn is an example of a brick-and-mortar school that offers a distance education opportunity. The degree offered by Auburn is a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Service, with emphasis on Hotel and Restaurant management. Auburn is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. * Simmons College: Online Certificate in Sports Nutrition (not a four-year degree), designed to prepare students for the American College of Sports Medicine Health/Fitness Instructors Exam. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

* University of Bridgeport: University of Bridgeport offers a Master of Science in Nutrition online. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

* University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey: The School of Health Related Professions offers three degree programs through distance education: a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition, a Ph. D. in Health Sciences-Nutrition Track, and a Doctorate in Clinical
Nutrition. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Note that this is just a partial list of the online and distance education opportunities available from accredited institutions. You should also note that getting an education is just the first step towards achieving your goal of becoming a certified nutritionist. After you complete your degree, most states still have additional requirements, such as completing an internship and/or passing a state-regulated exam.

About the Author

Amanda Clary writes a non commercial blog focused on her experience on helping her family and friends to eat healthy. She is a "Nutritionist for Hobby" and wrote on nutritioncertification.net to help people learn how to get certified and learn all the aspects related to this job (Skills, requisites, everyday problems, upgrading, etc...).