How can I becoming a Certified or Registered Nutritional/ Holistic Consultant or Practitioner?

by mrsexsmith

Question by Calif_Princess on "Holistic":

For health reasons I have recently completely changed the way I eat. The more research I've done, the more interested I've become and would like to start a career in holistic health and nutrition. But where do I start? How can I choose a good, distance learning collage, and what do I look for in their curriculum? Because of budget and my remote location I need alternative learning options. What diplomas, degrees or certifications will be granted after educational requirements are met and what career opportunities will be open to me? Having a well rounded education is important to me. How can I make contacts with others in the same career?

Best Answer:

Answer by jannsody
Well congratulations on your getting well yourself and wanting to share the wellth ;) with others! I would just generally recommend that instead of a program for Nutritional/Holistic Consultant or such to try to find an accredited program (by the American Dietetic Association) such as those found at the local county community college which may offer a 2 year associate degree program in Dietetic Technology. (Dietetic Technicians typically work under the supervision of a Registered Dietetician/R.D.) To go for schooling to become an R.D., one must complete a bachelor's degree and then do a fieldwork component that is several months long. It's crucial that one gets the right credentials so that the credibility is there, thus perhaps obtaining a higher customer base and proper information dissemination. Those 'online schools' such as from stratford career institute or penn foster (or University of Phoenix, Strayer University, Devry U, Kaplan U) are Not considered reputable to employers. I'm not sure about job availability as a dietetic technician (and there is a registration exam to take and pass which gives more credibility), but it seems as though you would like to work in private practice or as some sort of consultant. It's not a guarantee, but having the degree which includes actual fieldwork acting as a dietetic technician at area hospitals, nursing homes, wic (women, infants and children), and/or Head Start. Perhaps you can start out with taking a course at the local community college in basic nutrition (such as Introduction of Nutrition) where one doesn't necessarily need acceptance into the dietetics program as of yet, but just to see how you like the field and such.

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