Licensing guidelines for holistic nutritionists are the same as for other nutriotionists.
Holistic nutritionists are professionals trained in areas such as natural nutrition and diet, natural medicine and natural therapy. They prevent and treat illnesses using dietary programs based on natural foods -- prescribing herbs and others forms of -- and with therapies such as yoga and acupuncture. The holistic treatment approach believes in the connection between the body, mind and spirit. Once considered a supplemental topic in patient treatment, nutritional studies and practice are now parts of a specialized and professional industry.
Instructions
1. Earn a bachelor's degree in a related field. While a 2-year associate degree may be sufficient, a bachelor's degree in a science related field is highly recommended. A bachelor's degree offers you an easier road to an internship and makes the process of getting a license little less difficult. College students, aiming to become nutritionists, should take courses in foods, nutrition, diet, institution management, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology and physiology. A Bachelor of Dietetics is one degree you can pursue. As of 2008, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 279 bachelor's degree programs and 18 master's degree programs, on dietetics and nutrition, approved by the American Dietetic Association's Commission.
2. Complete an internship. Most accredited colleges and universities offer a practicum or an internship as an advanced level course. This gives prospective nutritionists an opportunity to work in hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centers and gain real time experience. If you're working on a or seeking a degree online, try to find an opportunity to volunteer as an intern for a certified and experienced practitioner. An Internship or other form of practical experience is necessary to get a license.
3. Apply for a license to become a Licensed Dietitian, Licensed Nutritionist or a Licensed Nutrition Counselor. According to the BLS, 46 states require you to have some form of license to legally practice as a nutritionist in the U.S. While license requirements vary from state to state, in most states you must demonstrate sufficient hours of coursework in a related field, a bachelor's or a associate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, and several hours of internship or practicum experience. You also need to pass a state administered exam to obtain a license. Contact the department of education in your state for more details.
4. Get a certification. You can further enhance your credentials by becoming a Certified Nutrition Specialist, a certification awarded by an accredited not-for-profit board of professional peers. To obtain the certification, you must have earned a master's or a doctoral degree and accrued sufficient experience as a professional practitioner.
Tags: bachelor degree, associate degree, related field, degree programs, natural medicine, nutrition diet