Program Overview

Introduction to 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.

Program Details

• The program 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.
• 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.

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).

Who Should Take the Certificate?

• 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).
• 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

Program Structure

• The program is divided into two parts: Part I Core Courses and Part II Practical.
• Part I Core Courses:
  • Foundations of Nutrition I: Introduction to Nutrition Science
  • Foundations of Nutrition II: Diet and Disease
  • Food as Medicine: The Art and Science of Food, Nutrition and Self-Healing
  • Behavior Change and Lifestyle Coaching
  • The Business of Integrative Nutrition
  • Advanced Nutrition Topics
• Part II Practical:
  • Natural Healing and Cooking
  • Nutrition Practicum

Course Details

Part I Core Courses

Foundations of Nutrition I: Introduction to Nutrition Science

• Units: 3.00
• Tuition: $455-$495
• Description: The course covers nutrition science principles, including the importance of nutrition research, research study designs, and the scientific method.

Foundations of Nutrition II: Diet and Disease

• Units: 3.00
• Tuition: $455-$495
• Description: The course explores the relationship between diet and disease, covering topics such as nutrition screening, assessment, counseling, and nutritional genomics.

Food as Medicine: The Art and Science of Food, Nutrition and Self-Healing

• Units: 1.00
• Tuition: $295.00
• Description: The course introduces students to the philosophy of Self-Healing with Food, covering topics such as ancient wisdom and modern science of food as medicine.

Behavior Change and Lifestyle Coaching

• Units: 1.00
• Tuition: $245.00
• Description: The course provides students with the essential tools to effectively develop and maintain their professional relationship with their client, covering topics such as rapport building, communication skills, and behavioral change.

The Business of Integrative Nutrition

• Units: 1.00
• Tuition: $245.00
• Description: The course teaches students the skills to convert their Integrative Nutrition knowledge into a viable business, covering topics such as interpersonal communications and management.

Advanced Nutrition Topics

• Units: 2.00
• Tuition: $345.00
• Description: The course provides students with advanced theoretical perspectives and targeted applications of the use of food as medicine, covering topics such as nutritional strategies for clinical care and the prevention and management of common health problems.

Part II Practical

Natural Healing and Cooking

• Units: 2.50
• Tuition: $445.00
• Description: The course teaches students the latest philosophy of Self-Healing with Food, covering topics such as ancient wisdom and modern science of food as medicine.

Nutrition Practicum

• Units: 0.50
• Tuition: $195.00
• Description: The course requires students to demonstrate their skills by remotely hosting a mini-cooking class, practicing their cooking skills at home using the techniques learned in the in-person cooking course, and submitting a final video project.

Industry Certification

• Foundations in Nutrition I and II offered through the UC San Diego 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).
• Courses offered by the UC San Diego Extended Studies Integrative Nutrition certificate program are eligible for 10 CE units per course unit for current Certified Nutrition Specialists.

Advisory Board

• The program has an advisory board consisting of experts in the field of integrative nutrition, including professors, researchers, and industry professionals.

Related Programs

• Case Management: Prepares candidates for the Certified Case Manager (CCM) designation through the Commission for Case Manager Certification.
• Clinical Trials Design and Management Program: Trains clinical trial professionals at all levels and meets ACRP and SoCRA education requirements for certification.
• Health and Wellness Coaching: Offers flexible training, key skills, and fast-track NBHWC exam prep for a growing career in wellness.