Prepare for a Career in the Future of Nutrition: Personalized, Evidence-Informed, and Holistic
The future of nutrition is precise, personalized, evidence-informed practice, which is exactly what you’ll learn in the functional nutrition programs at Northwestern Health Sciences University.
Our fully online programs are an affordable, flexible way to launch or expand your nutrition career:
Master of Health Science in Functional & Integrative Nutrition
Doctor of Clinical Nutrition in Functional & Integrative Nutrition
Graduate Certificate in Functional Sports and Performance Nutrition
Why Choose a Program with a Functional Approach?
How we fuel our bodies has a profound impact on our health. Functional nutrition considers all aspects of health, diet, and lifestyle, ultimately leading to better patient or client outcomes. In NWHSU’s functional programs, you will learn to craft nutrition recommendations that are one-size-fits one. You will also gain vital business, health coaching, and research skills to ensure you are prepared for all aspects of practice.
Quick Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Our Online Functional Nutrition Programs
The Master of Health Sciences in Functional Nutrition includes 21 credit hours (7 courses) in core courses, and 15 credit hours (5 courses) in elective courses. It can be completed in just one year, or you can go at your own pace.
The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition is 45 credits and can be completed in just over one year (4 terms), or you can go at your own pace.
The combined master’s/doctorate is 81 credits and can be completed in as little as just over two years.
The Graduate Certificate in Functional Sports and Performance Nutrition is 15 credit hours (5 courses) and can be completed in as little as six months. These credits can apply directly to the Master of Health Science degree. Some may also apply to the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degree.
To be accepted into the Master of Health Science in Functional Nutrition you must have a bachelor’s or professional degree from an accredited institution with a 2.75 GPA. The following prerequisite courses are also required*
Biochemistry
Human Physiology or Anatomy/Physiology
Introductory Nutrition Course
*Don’t have the required prerequisites? No problem! NWHSU offers a pre-program admission pathway in which you can take the pre-reqs with us while getting started on your master’s.
To be accepted into the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition you must have a master’s degree or doctoral degree in nutrition or a related clinical healthcare field (including, but not limited to, Public Health, Health Science, Biochemistry, Nursing, PA, MD, DO, DC, DDS, ND, and PharmD). Degree must be from a degree-granting college or university accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, or if a school uses a Pass/Fail system, passing grades in all coursework.
The following prerequisite courses are also required*
Nutrition Science: 12 semester credit hours at the graduate level.
Biochemistry: 6 semester credit hours at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Physiology or Anatomy & Physiology: 3 semester credit hours at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Clinical or Life Sciences: 12 semester credit hours at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Behavioral Science: 3 semester credit hours at the undergraduate or graduate level.
*Don’t have the required prerequisites? No problem! NWHSU offers a pre-program admission pathway in which you can take the pre-reqs with us while getting started on your doctorate.
To be accepted into the Graduate Certificate in Functional Sports and Performance Nutrition the requirements are the same as the Master of Health Science.
You can log in to the Student Application Portal to start your online application. At any time, you may save your application, logout, and complete it later. There is a non-refundable $50.00 application fee required with submission of your application.
We recommend that you submit your application 1 to 6 months before your intended start term. We will accept applications up to two weeks before the start of the term, depending on class availability.
You can see all the application details on the application page.
We offer start dates in the fall, spring, or summer. Most courses are seven weeks long. Take two courses at a time (full-time) or take one course at a time (part-time) for a more flexible pace. Start dates vary by program.
The program is rigorous, but you will find ample support from your instructors. Most classes are asynchronous, meaning you can do the coursework on your own time. However, some health coaching courses within the master’s program do require synchronous meeting times.
Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Masters of Functional & Integrative Nutrition Program fulfills the current requirements of the Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential (CNS®), the most advanced certification for personalized nutrition practitioners, with the allowance of the program’s prerequisite courses. The BCNS requires a graduate degree in nutrition from a regionally accredited university, specific coursework, and 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience. The BCNS reviews the candidate individually, including current course descriptions, transcripts, and experience, to determine eligibility. To learn more about becoming a CNS, visit TheANA.org/Certify
Graduates from the Masters of Functional & Integrative Nutrition Program at Northwestern Health Sciences University are eligible to accrue up to 250 hours of indirect Supervised Practice Experience. This opportunity is facilitated through elective courses offered within the program, contributing significantly towards the 1,000 hours of supervised practice required for obtaining the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) Certification. This is reviewed by the CNS board on an individual basis.
Note: Each state’s requirements for professional licensure and/or certification vary and are subject to change. Please contact the Department of Health and appropriate board in your state to confirm eligibility requirements and to determine which certification(s) or licensure(s) may be recognized for practice in your state.
Northwestern Health Sciences University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition in Functional and Integrative Nutrition program provides a pathway to the independent Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN) via the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (ACBN) certification post-graduation from NWHSU. DACBN applicants must meet the following criteria: Healthcare professional with accredited professional Doctorate recognized by the USDE, 300 credit hours of specialized training in nutrition from an institution that meets ACBN criteria, publication or proof of acceptance for publication of a clinical nutrition article in an approved peer reviewed journal, minimum of one year of experience in the practice of nutrition, submit application and pay required fees, and pass the DACBN written examination.
The American Clinical Board of Nutrition (ACBN) is a testing agency that certifies qualified doctoral level health care providers seeking Board Certification in nutrition. The ACBN is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. This is reviewed by the ACBN on an individual basis.
Note: Each state’s requirements for professional licensure and/or certification vary and are subject to change. Please contact the Department of Health and appropriate board in your state to confirm eligibility requirements and to determine which certification(s) or licensure(s) may be recognized for practice in your state.
For more information, please visit the ACBN’s website.
Northwestern Health Sciences University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411 Phone: 800-621-7440 / 312-263-0456 Fax: 312-263-7462
Functional Medicine & Healthcare: private practice, health coaching or clinical practice within concierge and boutique clinics, medical centers, hospitals, chiropractic offices, long-term care facilities, and other clinical care settings
Wellness: health coaching within yoga, wellness, and spa retreats; fitness centers; and careers in natural products and dietary supplement industries
Public Health, Policy, and Organizational Leadership: careers in research and development, community health promotion and wellness education programs, and corporate employee wellness programs
Higher Education: teaching and research positions in academia, especially when you earn a doctorate
Food and Supplement Industry: nutrition roles at culinary institutes, restaurants and corporate food service establishments
Whether you’re just beginning to consider a career in nutrition, our admissions counselors can help answer questions about coursework, scholarships, admissions requirements, and the application process.
At NWHSU, people come first, always. Connecting with faculty, students, and admissions counselors is the best way learn if our nutrition program is right for you!
All of the functional nutrition programs at NWHSU are offered fully online. Our students come from around the country and around the world, forming a unique, supportive community.
Dr. Hope is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition with a background in Neuroscience & Psychology who has been working in the healthcare field for over 15 years. Dr. Hope previously worked as a fitness trainer for the U.S. Military and now practices integrative and functional healthcare in Boulder, CO. Dr. Hope is an associate professor and the program chair of the Master of Health Science in Functional Nutrition program.
Sasha Hope, MS, DCN
Health & Wellness Program Chair, Masters of Functional & Integrative Nutrition Program IRB Chair
Trained in biology and nutrition health sciences, the author earned a bachelor’s in biology from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, a master’s degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and a PhD from Emory University. Since 2016, they have taught nutrition courses across modalities. Their research spans bench to clinical science, focusing on genetic rare diseases, metabolism, and nutrition, with expanding interests in non-metabolic disorders and bibliometric analyses.
Teresa Douglas, MS, PhD
Adjunct Instructor
Timothy Garrett is a Licensed Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner (IFNCP) with a private practice. He holds a B.S. in Health and Human Performance, a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition. A collegiate educator, martial arts instructor, and certified personal trainer, his work emphasizes Functional Nutrition, integrating personalized nutrition, lifestyle, genetics, and human performance to support sustainable health, resilience, and recovery.
Timothy Garrett, RDN, LDN, IFNCP
Adjunct Instructor
Dr. Kovalchik is a Chiropractor and Certified Nutrition Specialist® with advanced training in functional medicine and integrative nutrition. Her work centers on connecting the dots between lifestyle, metabolism, and chronic health patterns to help clients make meaningful and sustainable changes. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. K teaches in graduate nutrition programs and mentors emerging clinicians through supervised practice. She enjoys building interdisciplinary bridges across chiropractic, nutrition, and functional medicine, and is passionate about helping new practitioners grow in confidence and clinical reasoning.
Jess Kovalchik, DC, MS, CNS, IFMCP
Adjunct Instructor | CNS Supervisor
Dr. Limbaugh is a Nutrition Practitioner passionate about Female Reproductive Health and Endocrinology, specifically using isolated compounds and supplements to approach the conditions holistically. Working as an Adjunct, bridging the gap between these research studies and student understanding in clinical practice is the focal point of her mentorships.
Savannah Limbaugh, DCN, MS, CPT
Adjunct Instructor
Dr. Lara Zakaria is an integrative pharmacist, nutritionist, and professor specializing in Functional Medicine and Personalized Nutrition. In addition to clinical practice and teaching, her work focuses on translating complex science—spanning nutrition, natural products, diagnostics, and health technology—into clear, clinically relevant frameworks that support education, implementation, and informed decision-making.
Lara Zakaria, PharmD MS CNS CDN IFMCP
Adjunct Instructor
Dive Deeper into Functional Nutrition at NWHSU
NWHSU alumni have built meaningful and diverse careers in functional nutrition. You can learn more about our community and the field on our blog.
Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Masters of Functional & Integrative Nutrition Program fulfills the current requirements of the CNS with the allowance of the program’s prerequisite courses. The BCNS requires a graduate degree in nutrition from a regionally accredited university, specific coursework, and 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience. The BCNS reviews the candidate individually, including current course descriptions, transcripts, and experience, to determine eligibility. To learn more about becoming a CNS, visit TheANA.org/Certify
Graduates from the Masters of Functional & Integrative Nutrition Program at Northwestern Health Sciences University are eligible to accrue up to 250 hours of indirect Supervised Practice Experience. This opportunity is facilitated through elective courses offered within the program, contributing significantly towards the 1,000 hours of supervised practice required for obtaining the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) Certification. This is reviewed by the CNS board on an individual basis.
Note: Each state’s requirements for professional licensure and/or certification vary and are subject to change. Please contact the Department of Health and appropriate board in your state to confirm eligibility requirements and to determine which certification(s) or licensure(s) may be recognized for practice in your state.
For more information, please visit the ANA’s website.
The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition in Functional and Integrative Nutrition program provides a pathway to the independent Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN) via the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (ACBN) certification post-graduation from NWHSU. DACBN applicants must meet the following criteria: Healthcare professional with accredited professional Doctorate recognized by the USDE, 300 credit hours of specialized training in nutrition from an institution that meets ACBN criteria, publication or proof of acceptance for publication of a clinical nutrition article in an approved peer reviewed journal, minimum of one year of experience in the practice of nutrition, submit application and pay required fees, and pass the DACBN written examination.
The American Clinical Board of Nutrition (ACBN) is a testing agency that certifies qualified doctoral-level health care providers seeking Board Certification in nutrition. The ACBN is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. This is reviewed by the ACBN on an individual basis.
Note: Each state’s requirements for professional licensure and/or certification vary and are subject to change. Please contact the Department of Health and the appropriate board in your state to confirm eligibility requirements and to determine which certification(s) or licensure(s) may be recognized for practice in your state.
For more information, please visit the ACBN’s website.
Apply Today
Ready to launch your Functional and Integrative Nutrition Career with NWHSU?
