UPDATE
Introducing: Penn Foster’s Fitness and Nutrition Career Certificate Program
While Ashworth College is no longer accepting enrollments in our Nutrition, Diet and Health Science Career Diploma Program, we’re excited to introduce you to our partner school, Penn Foster.
Are health and wellness among your interests? Our online Fitness and Nutrition Career Certificate Program† can help prepare you to develop new health and wellness skills.
LEARN MORETake the Next Steps Towards a Career You Want
Penn Foster’s online Fitness and Nutrition Career Certificate Program can help you prepare to take the first steps toward the job you want. With flexible, online courses, you can learn skills and knowledge on your schedule, from home.
Why Penn Foster?
Penn Foster has been on a mission to help people like you launch, accelerate, and thrive in their careers for more than 125 years. We provide students with a quality education that fits your busy lifestyle and budget, offering over 100 self-paced, career-relevant programs across our College, Career School, and High School. The program you choose is structured to fit your learning needs so you can achieve your goals, and is designed to work with your schedule, anytime, anywhere you want to study. With a focus on relevant skills and career preparation for the job you’re after, Penn Foster can help you graduate with confidence and help provide a pathway towards your career goals.
BOOST YOUR PROSPECT-FAST
Take nutrition classes online, study at your own pace, and graduate on your schedule.
STRENGTHEN YOUR SKILL SET
Explore advanced concepts in lipids, proteins, metabolism, infant nutrition, and more.
GET THE SUPPORT
YOU NEED
We’re in this together. Academic support is always available by email, phone, or online.
What You'll Learn in Penn Foster’s Fitness and Nutrition Career Certificate Program
- How to determine short and long-term fitness goals, design programs, track progress, and promote lifetime fitness.
- How fitness affects physical and mental well-being, and how to assess current fitness levels, plan goals, and recognize opportunities in the fitness field.
- How to identify the structures of the upper and lower body, and identify programs and exercises to enhance upper- and lower-body fitness.
- How to work with clients to create custom nutrition and fitness strategies, including helping them stay motivated to reach their goals.
Penn Foster’s Online Fitness and Nutrition Certificate Curriculum
In our Fitness and Nutrition Certificate Program, you'll build fundamental knowledge that can help you better understand your own health and wellness, or help clients to reach their fitness and nutrition goals. Your online fitness classes include:
- Fitness Anatomy and Physiology
- Developing Healthy Eating Habits
- Principles of Muscular Strength and Endurance
- Health Screening, Testing, and Evaluation
Fitness and Nutrition Certificate FAQs
The first step toward becoming a certified nutritionist is most usually earning an accredited bachelor's degree in a health-related field. Many schools offer degrees that focus on nutrition. From there, you may complete an internship or clinical externship depending on your school's requirements and gain hands-on experience working with clients. While not all states require nutritionists to be certified, many employers do prefer to hire applicants that have industry-recognized certifications or credentials on their resume. Depending on which certification you pursue, you may also be expected to complete a graduate degree in nutrition to meet education requirements.
In a fitness and nutrition certification program, you'll learn the essentials of building healthy habits, creating fitness training plans, and working with clients. Those with fitness nutrition certification can start their own businesses, work as a fitness or nutrition coach, spa consultant, or weight management consultant. It's important to note that earning a certificate alone may not qualify you for a job in the field and you may be required to pursue additional education and industry-certifications to meet the minimum requirements of some employers.
It depends! While some states have licensing requirements that do require nutritionists to have a bachelor's degree to practice, there are some that don't. While you may be able to practice without an official degree in some states, most employers usually prefer to hire applicants with valid certifications from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) or the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB).
You can! However, before you pursue a career path as a nutritionist through online courses, it's important to check your state regulations to find out what requirements you must meet to be eligible to work in the field. Most nutritionists have at least a bachelor's degree, as well as industry-recognized certification.
State requirements
A career in this field may require you to meet certain licensing, training, and other requirements that can vary by vocation and state. You should check with your state, local government, and/or licensing board to find out which requirements may be applicable in your state. Click here for contact information on state licensing/regulatory boards and certain professional licensing information.