Nutrition Certification Courses

Nutrition certification courses prepare you for a variety of career options. While every state has different regulations for licensing and certifying nutritionists, completing a certification course often makes you eligible to provide nutritional consulting services or to become a registered dietitian. Whether you wish to earn a traditional college degree or learn about non-traditional holistic nutrition, a certification course can help you achieve your career goals.

American Dietetic Association Courses

• The American Dietetic Association certifies nutritionists and licenses registered dietitians. With coordinated programs in dietetics at colleges and universities across the United States, you can work toward your certification as a nutritionist as you earn a bachelor's or master's degree. The American Dietetic Association will grant you your license as a dietitian or dietetic technician once you meet the required coursework requirements. Students in ADA courses learn about food science, chemistry and biology to examine the effects of different foods on the human body.

Online College Programs

• If you do not have the time or money to commit to a traditional college dietetics degree, consider enrolling in distance learning courses for aspiring nutritionists. Although these programs offer nutrition degrees or certificates, most do not grant dietitian licenses. The training you receive through online nutrition courses equips you for entry-level positions in the fields of nutrition, wellness and weight-management. Check your local laws to determine whether or not online degree and certificate programs qualify you to work legally as a nutritionist in your state.

Nutrition and Wellness Consulting

• For a more direct route to careers in nutrition, you might investigate nutritional consulting certification courses. Private wellness organizations, such as the American Fitness Professional Associates, certify individuals to consult clients on nutrition and weight management. While you won't be a state-certified dietitian upon completion of the course, you will be eligible to work as a consultant for private clients, weight loss centers, and in food supplement sales. You can complete these courses on-site at a local training center or through correspondence.

Holistic Certification Courses

• If you are interested in studying wellness from a non-traditional perspective, consider a certification course in holistic nutrition. Holistic programs focus on the spiritual and mental applications of nutrition education, as well as the physical. Unlike traditional dietetics programs, holistic certification will not teach you about man-made artificial treatments for patients. You can find holistic nutrition programs at colleges, universities, wellness education centers and online. Upon completing your certification, you may be eligible to provide private counseling for clients or work at holistic treatment centers.