Nutritional consultants advise people on a variety of diet-related health issues, such as how diet can impact diabetes, combat unhealthy food cravings, or improve your mood. As a nutritional consultant you can find work in a variety of settings, such as weight-loss clinics, health food stores, health food marketing, and nursing homes. If you're interested in learning about nutrition and enjoy helping people, why not enroll in an online program to earn a certificate as a nutritional consultant?
Online education programs are a great option for people who cannot quit their current job or who have family responsibilities that make it difficult to pursue a traditional path of education. One of the benefits of online learning is the self-paced format. Another is studying from the comfort of your own home. Students in online learning programs are able to read their instructors' lectures as many times as they feel necessary to learn the material, whereas students in a traditional classroom setting are only able to hear their instructors' lectures once. A good online learning program will provide you with support through online message boards with peers, academic advisors, and faculty, as well as through direct email and phone conversations.
As of 2009, a formal online nutritional consultant certificate program generally takes about one year to complete and will cost anywhere from $1,400 to $2,000. Core course offerings may include anatomy and physiology, environmental toxicity, medical terminology, weight loss, and physical fitness. Look for a program that is accredited by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. According to the Global College for Natural Medicine, many occupational titles have employment and education regulations that vary by state. Before enrolling in an online nutritional consulting program, check with the Department of Health in your state to see if there are any such regulations. Do your research to make sure the program is a good fit for you. Be sure to inquire about tuition, fees, how long the program has been in existence, how many students are enrolled, and how many have graduated.