For Healthcare Professionals

Program Overview

As the nation’s only Post-Master’s Certificate in Nutrition and Integrative Health, our program provides evidence-based nutrition training specifically for health professionals and those with advanced science training, including: physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, acupuncturists, herbalists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dentists, pharmacists, osteopaths, and chiropractors.

Nutrition is one of the most influential determinants for long-term health and wellness. In fact, research shows that most of the chronic diseases you treat every day are preventable with proper diet. Educated consumers are aware of these facts and are choosing health professionals that can offer a strong knowledge base in the field of nutrition.

Program Highlights

• Offered in an format to accomodate working professionals
• Earn the certificate in less than one year by taking 15 credits over 16 months
• Study with a cohort of like-minded health care professionals in a scholarly community entirely centered on wellness
• Wide array of electives
• Create treatment plans using whole foods and nutritional supplementation
• Help patients distinguish between food fads, trends, and sound nutrition information
• Learn and teach whole foods cooking
• Become eligible national board certification in nutrition
• Program eligible for federal financial aid

The Post-Master’s Certificate in Nutrition and Integrative Health helps graduates attain certification through the American Board of Clinical Nutrition. The Post-Master’s Certificate in Nutrition and Integrative Health program is currently under review by the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition to be an approved program and is undergoing a re-review process with the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists. Students will consult with their faculty advisor regarding specific course/credit requirements for these various board certifications.
*pending MHEC recommendation

Course Descriptions

Core Courses (13 credits)

Isci 626 Nutritional Biochemistry
3 Semester Credits

This course presents an overview of nutritional biochemistry. Students will become acquainted with biochemical individuality and genetic uniqueness, and the basics of molecular biology. Bioenergetics, energy metabolism, advanced metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, and detoxification (Phases I, II, and III) will be reviewed. The influence of nutrients in these reactions is emphasized. Students also will become acquainted with current concepts, knowledge, and strategies for understanding nutritional genomics, as well as become aware of specific food components that alter gene structures or expression.
Prerequisite: ISci 521 (Foundational Chemistry for Health Sciences) or equivalent.

NUTR 614 Human Nutrition I: Macronutrients
2 Semester Credits

This course covers the macronutrients — carbohydrates (including fiber), lipids (including essential fatty acids), proteins; along with water and hydration. Macronutrients are considered from digestion, absorption, and transport to metabolism and storage. Energy metabolism and dietary reference intakes are reviewed. Students will examine macronutrients within the context of a whole foods diet, analyze case study data, and conduct comparative analyses of macronutrients in a variety of diets. Students become proficient in a variety of diet analysis methods, including food frequency, diet history questionnaires, and diet analysis software.
Prerequisite: Isci 521 Fundamentals of chemistry, Isci 646A Health and Wellness Physiology

NUTR 612 Human Nutrition II: Micronutrients
3 Semester Credits

This course covers structure, function, and food sources of the micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, and various phytochemicals). The complex function of each nutrient is reviewed, along with interactions, excesses, deficiencies, supplementation, and nutrient synergy. The effects of food processing, fortification and agricultural practices on micronutrient density of foods will be explored. Students use a variety of methods to compare the micronutrient content of diets and will review safety and toxicology of dietary supplements, drug-nutrient, and nutrient-nutrient interactions.
Prerequisite: Isci 626 Nutritional Biochemistry, Isci 646A Health and Wellness Physiology

NUTR 721 Biochemical Assessment
1 Semester Credit

This seminar provides an overview of laboratory testing for assessing nutritional status in health and disease states. Students will demonstrate competence in analyzing various standard blood tests. Students will also be exposed to cutting-edge biochemical assessments for nutrients, enzyme assays, abnormal metabolites, loading tests, and challenge tests.
Prerequisite: ISci 626 (Nutritional Biochemistry); Isci 646A (Health and Wellness Physiology I or equivalent

NUTR 732 Therapeutic Diets I and Seminar
2 Semester Credits

Within the biopsychosocial model of health and wellness, condition-specific nutrition therapy for a wide range of medical conditions are covered. Therapeutic approaches will incorporate whole food and nutritional supplementation within the broader context of health inputs. Students will discuss real-life application to current field of practice in seminar format.
Prerequisite: NUTR 612 (Human Nutrition II: Micronutrients); ISci 646B (Health and Wellness Physiology I) or equivalent; NUTR 622 (Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry and Assessment) or NUTR 721 Biochemical Assessment (corequisite for PMC students)

NUTR 733 Therapeutic Diets II and Seminar
2 Semester Credits

Within the biopsychosocial model of health and wellness, condition-specific nutrition therapy for a wide range of medical conditions are covered. Therapeutic approaches will incorporate whole food and nutritional supplementation within the broader context of health inputs. Students will discuss real-life application to current field of practice in seminar format.
Prerequisite: NUTR 612 (Human Nutrition II: Micronutrients); ISci 646B (Health and Wellness Physiology I) or equivalent; NUTR 622 (Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry, Pathophysiology, and Assessment) or NUTR 721 Biochemical Assessment (corequisite for PMC students)

Elective Courses Include (2 credits required)

NUTR 634: Diabetes Education: An Integrative Approach (2 credits) Prerequisite: NUTR 711
NUTR 642: Life Cycle Nutrition for the Health Professional (2 credits) Prerequisite: NUTR 711
NUTR 662: Energetics of Food (1 credit)
NUTR 663: Sports Nutrition (1 credit) Prerequisite: NUTR 711
NUTR 665: Dynamics of Food and Healing (1 credit)
NUTR 671: Food and Culture (1 credit)
NUTR 672: Nourishment (2 credits)
NUTR 676: Chinese and Western Nutritional Therapy (2 credits)
NUTR 681: Whole Foods Cooking Lab 1 (.5 credit)
NUTR 682: Whole Foods Cooking Lab II (.5 credit) Prerequisite NUTR 681
NUTR 683: Whole Foods Cooking Lab III (.5 credit) Prerequisite: NUTR 682
NUTR 684: Whole Foods Cooking Lab IV (.5 credit) Prerequisite: NUTR 682

Faculty

Academic Director

Rebecca Snow, MS, CNS, LD, RH (AHG)

Faculty

Bevin Clare, MS, CNS, LDN, RH(AHG), Associate Professor
Heidi Most, MAc, LAc, DiplAc (NCCAOM), Associate Professor
Bryan Walsh, ND, Instructor

Adjunct Faculty

Daemon Jones, ND
Deanna Minich, PhD, FACN, CNS

Adjunct Faculty (Cooking Labs)

Myra Kornfeld
Monica Corrado, MA, CNC
Eleonora Gafton
Jill Gussman

Distinguished Lecturers

Annemarie Colbin, PhD
Pam Compart, MD
Robert Hedaya, MD
Gerry Mullin, MD
Paul Pitchford, MS

Academic Calendar

Classes are generally held during weekend intensives. Weekend class times are from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and courses may be scheduled during this time frame. Occasionally a core class will meet during a week-long intensive. Weeklong intensives are scheduled Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Specific class times for each course will vary each trimester. Course schedules with specific class times will be made available during course registration for the upcoming trimester.

The time needed to complete the elective credits is not included in the academic calendar below. Each trimester a course schedule with elective options will be distributed for registration. Some elective courses may be offered on weeknights.

SPRING 2013 (3 credits)

ISci 626 Nutritional Biochemistry
January 4 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
January 5 1:25 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
February 1 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
March 12 8:30 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. — weekday
March 13 8:30 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. — weekday
March 14 8:30 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. — weekday
March 15 8:30 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. — weekday
March 22 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
March 23 8:30 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
March 24 8:30 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
Plus 2.5 hours at home coursework

SUMMER 2013 (5 credits)

NUTR 614 Human Nutrition 1: Macronutrients
May 17 – 19
July 19 – 21
August 16 – 18

NUTR 612 Human Nutrition II: Micronutrients
May 3 – 5
June 7 – 9
August 2 – 4

FALL 2013 (3 credits)

NUTR 632 Therapeutic Diets II
October 11 – 13, 2013
November 8 – 10, 2013
November 15 – 17, 2013

NUTR 721 Biochemical Assessment
October 18 – 20

SPRING 2014 (2 credits)

NUTR 631 Therapeutic Diets I
January 10 – 12
February 28 – March 2
April 4 – 6

Eligibility Requirements

Prospective students must meet the following admission requirements:

• Have earned a minimum of a master’s degree from an accredited educational institution and demonstrate completion of the following prerequisite requirements:
  
  
  • 3 semester credits Organic/Biological Chemistry
  • 4 semester credits Physiology and/or Pathophysiology

OR

• Have completed degree requirements and licensure requirements to practice in one of the following fields:
  
  
  • Medicine
  • Chiropractic Medicine
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Physician Assistant
  • Dentistry
  • Osteopathic Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Pharmacy

Tuition and Fees

Application Fee: $50
Tuition Deposit: $500

An individual accepted into one of Tai Sophia’s academic programs will be billed a non-transferable, non-refundable tuition deposit. This fee holds a seat in the class for which the applicant has been accepted and will be applied to tuition upon matriculation. This fee is due upon acceptance and may be paid by cash, check, MasterCard, or Visa.

Tuition: $630 per credit billed in two installments, total of $9450

Financial Aid

There are a variety of financial aid options available for this program, including a limited number of scholarships. For funding options, please contact the financial aid office at 410-888-9048 ext. 6628 or .