Online Functional Nutrition Degree 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.  

Learn more about admissions requirements for functional nutrition or reach out to an admissions counselor reach out to an admissions counselor with your specific questions.  

NWHSU’s functional nutrition program is one of the most affordable online options. See current tuition costs on our tuition and fees page.

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. 

For more information, please visit the ANA’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. 

In the master’s program, you will choose between four specialties:

• nutrition specialist
• sports nutrition
• health coaching
• general studies.

Learn more on our curriculum page.  

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.

Connect with an Admissions Counselor