Two categories of nutrition coursework are required:
Category I: Foundational Nutrition (Min. of 4 graduate level semester credit hours or 60 CE equivalents) Must address CNS Foundational Nutrition Coursework Topics which include: nutritional biochemistry, developmental nutrition, energy balance and caloric values of foods, body composition and regulation of metabolism, metabolism and function of nutrients, macro-and micronutrient sources and quality, bioactive components in foods and nutrient requirements.
Category 2: Advanced Nutrition (Min. 8 graduate level semester credit hours or 120 CE equivalents) Examples of courses include but are not limited to: Nutritional Therapeutics, Nutrition Assessment, Functional Medicine Nutrition, Pharmacology and Drug-Nutrient Interactions, Functional Medicine for Autoimmune Diseases and Nutrition and Digestive Health.
Examples of Certificate Programs that Meet CNS Requirements for Both Category 1 and 2
• The University of Bridgeport Nutrition Institute’s (UBNI) Physicians in Nutrition Program
• Maryland University of Integrative Health, Post Master’s Certificate in Nutrition & Integrative
• Tufts University, Graduate Certificate Program, Nutrition Science for Health Professionals
Examples of Courses that Meet CNS Requirements for Category 1 – Foundational Nutrition
• Maryland University of Integrative Health: Combination of the following courses: Human
Nutrition I Macronutrients, Human Nutrition II Micronutrients, Life Cycle Nutrition
• University of Bridgeport: Combination of the following courses: Basic Nutrition, Vitamins and
Minerals, Developmental Nutrition
• University of California San Diego Extension: Certificate in Integrative Nutrition, Foundations of
Examples of Courses that Meet CNS Requirements for Category 2: Advanced Nutrition
Any graduate level nutrition course offered in the following programs on a non-matriculated basis:
• Maryland University of Integrative Health, MS Nutrition and Integrative Health
• New York Chiropractic College, MS Applied Clinical Nutrition
• University of Bridgeport, MS Human Nutrition
• University of Western States, MS Human Nutrition & Functional Medicine
Fellowships and Certificate Programs Offering CME
The following programs include components that meet the advanced nutrition coursework requirements
MD/DOs CNS candidates. Thus, graduates of these programs will have satisfied the 75 Advanced Nutrition continuing education credit requirement. All courses must qualify for CME.
• Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine Fellowship Program
• The George Washington University, The Integrative Medicine Fellowship Program
• Institute for Functional Medicine Certificate Program (IFMCP)
• Metabolic Medical Institute, Fellowship in Integrative Medicine (A4M)
• University of Arizona’s Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, Fellowship in Integrative
Note: This list is not inclusive. Other programs and courses may also meet the requirements for both Foundational Nutrition and Advanced Nutrition. Courses must be from regionally accredited institutions or qualify for CME credit. Candidates should submit course materials to the BCNS office for Credentials Council review.