Becoming a professional - Page 3

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by lily7

Here is the school my ND attended:
http://www.trinityschool.org/
They have individual distance learning. Their fees are really affordable.

This is one that is discussed fairly often. It is an example of an unaccredited school meaning you will not be able to pass the boards or be licensed. You can practice as an ND only in states that don't license. If your state does license then you can practice only as a consultant. This is definitely a better option than Clayton College.

[changingseasons]

I'm looking over some of these schools that were on that link... just comparing prices, credits, etc. Interesting range between the different schools. Here's what I've come up with (numbers are totally rounded, and don't include books, fees, etc.):

Westbrook:

• Master of Science in Nutrition - 71 credits ~ $15K
• Doctor of Science in Nutrition - 91 credits ~ $17K

University of Natural Medicine:

• MS of Natural Health Sciences - 45 credits ~ $5K

Hawthorn University:

• MS in Holistic Nutrition - 60 credits ~ $10K
• Doctorate in "" - 63 credits (only 3 more than the MS ) ~ $13K

Huntington College (accredited):

• MS in Nutrition - 74 credits ~ $10K

University of Bridgeport:

• MS in Human Nutrition - 31 credits ~ $20K

[Panserbjorne]

UB is accredited as well.

AFAIK UNM is very far into the process of accreditation. You should check with them.

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by neveryoumindthere

panserbjorne, Would you mind sharing a little bit more about your practice?

At this point it's non-existent. Well, that's not entirely true, but close to it. I do more informational consults now as they are pretty much one shot deals. I also take clients when I can for flower essence consults. With a few exceptions I do work over the phone. I have several clients that I have kept on as we have gotten to the point where it's just maintenance.

For clients that I had before going back to school I do email consults as well. I already know their issues, we have worked together and if all they need is some quick info they email me their problem in detail and I answer. This is usually along the lines of, "I have food poisoning. What are some things that could help?" Or, "My child is being prescribed antibiotics for such and such condition....what are my options and what questions should I be asking?" Things like that.

I am not taking on clients for any long term issues right now because I would not be able to give them the attention they need. Once school is over I will be practicing part time as a Doctor of Homeopathic Medicine.

But, yes. You can absolutely do this. It is relatively easy once you are confident in what you have to offer to do it over the phone, from home.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by Panserbjørne

UB is accredited as well.

AFAIK UNM is very far into the process of accreditation. You should check with them.

hmmm... they didn't show up using that earlier link. But that is for federal accreditation, right? And most of the other school would at least be accredited through the state?

Do you have any opinions about getting a Master of Science vs. a Doctorate?

[Panserbjorne]

MS vs. a doctoral degree...it depends on what you want to do with it! I like the intensity of doctoral programs, but then again I love being a student too!

UB is definitely accredited. Graduates from their doctoral program are eligible for licensure. I have two friends that teach there (one in the DC program and one in the ND program) and I precept with a doc that graduated from UB. I have no info about online programs, but it's a good school. It's one of the 5 big ones for natural medicine.

from their site:
The College of Naturopathic Medicine is accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

http://www.bridgeport.edu/pages/3229.asp

I know UNM told me was that they were several years into the licensure process, but I don't know much beyond that.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by Panserbjørne

MS vs. a doctoral degree...it depends on what you want to do with it! I like the intensity of doctoral programs, but then again I love being a student too!

Yeah, I think I would like the intensity of a doctoral program too... but I'd probably be working as a nutritionist/consultant/whatever, not teaching (or whatever else you do with a doctorate), so I don't know...

[neveryoumindthere]

CSNN is the program I was looking into originally a couple years back. I know a girl who was in this program, but have since not kept in contact, and she's moved to NY, no idea what's she's done with it (she was completing her holistic nutritionist program)

I know, for me, I'd *really* like to know/consult a lot about allergies, but also thyroid/adrenals and anything having to do with mood disorders and healing naturally, basically the thigns I've gone thru and am currently dealing with..I'm not sure if this program does in depth as much as I'd like. but the price is right and it sounds VERY interesting. I'm loving this thread

[Theloose]

Here's another list that has a section of online nutrition programs. It looks like these are more likely to be accredited, but less likely to be holistic.
http://www.nasnutrition.com/degree_programs.htm

Bridgeport looks really interesting, and I hadn't seen them before, thanks!

What would be the main difference between an ND and a MS in nutrition? And dietetics definitely seems like the WRONG way to go. Is clinical nutrition what I'm looking for, or is that another general term that is more likely to push the food pyramid than traditional foods?

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by neveryoumindthere

CSNN is the program I was looking into originally a couple years back. I know a girl who was in this program, but have since not kept in contact, and she's moved to NY, no idea what's she's done with it (she was completing her holistic nutritionist program)

I know, for me, I'd *really* like to know/consult a lot about allergies, but also thyroid/adrenals and anything having to do with mood disorders and healing naturally, basically the thigns I've gone thru and am currently dealing with..I'm not sure if this program does in depth as much as I'd like. but the price is right and it sounds VERY interesting. I'm loving this thread

Here's a canadian list: http://www.ionc.org/index.cfm?page=schools but Clayton's the only US school on the list. It looks really interesting, but makes me wonder...

[Panserbjorne]

doing an ND through an accredited school means you have done the 4 year medical school thing. You are a doctor. You need to take the exams to get in, do the pre-med etc.etc.etc. Not the case if you do an unaccredited ND program like the one mentioned above (Trinity.) You get nutrition, but if it's nutrition you are after it's not the best choice. They spend alot of the time on different modalities, herbs, pathology, anatomy, physiology etc.

Clinical nutrition is INTENSE and is an amazing base for understanding how the body utilizes nutrients, how it detoxes, creates tissue etc. A good clinical nutrition program is worth it's weight in gold. That is where you get alot of the biochemistry. Fabulous stuff.

[Theloose]

One more list!
http://books.google.com/books?id=yuaSJvZr3ikC&pg=PA825
this one includes a list of regionally accredited schools...

[pokeymama]

Holy Universe, Batman. First I get inspired after reading PB's flower essences thread to buy a kit in order to start making blends for family and friends, then start to wonder if this could turn into a PT thing to make a little money. Then at DS's chiro appt (this with the AK chiro who suggested Mustard essence in the first place) told me that she sensed something within me and tested me and found that I need Wild Oat, which has to do with finding your path/calling.

I almost completed a certificate program in technical communication, and now am almost done with an Alternative Teacher Certification (interrupted by the surprise of DS). I have never settled into anything resembling a career, and I've been thinking maybe mothering will be it! The health field has always held an attraction for me, and teaching holds zero interest for me now...I'm struggling to finish the certification, but I'll do it simply to finish it. It might come in handy, maybe to tutor.

Hmmm....methinks someone/something is trying to get my attention...

[momofmine]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

I'm looking over some of these schools that were on that link... just comparing prices, credits, etc. Interesting range between the different schools. Here's what I've come up with (numbers are totally rounded, and don't include books, fees, etc.):

Westbrook:

• Master of Science in Nutrition - 71 credits ~ $15K
• Doctor of Science in Nutrition - 91 credits ~ $17K

University of Natural Medicine:

• MS of Natural Health Sciences - 45 credits ~ $5K

Hawthorn University:

• MS in Holistic Nutrition - 60 credits ~ $10K
• Doctorate in "" - 63 credits (only 3 more than the MS ) ~ $13K

Huntington College (accredited):

• MS in Nutrition - 74 credits ~ $10K

University of Bridgeport:

• MS in Human Nutrition - 31 credits ~ $20K

CS, Are these online or are some in person? I saw UB also had a one-weekend-a-month program. This stuff is so interesting to me too. I used to think about becoming a nutritionist. We have an RD program at our local university that is an MS, but I think it would be so hard to sit and listen to the talk about the food pyramid. But maybe that is how change happens...

[momofmine]

I really think that being here for my kids right now is what I want the most, but there is part of me that longs to go back to school too. But what are your thoughts about the online vs the in-person programs? My first reaction is to say that an online degree would have less merit and credibility, esp among mainstream folks, but is that not really true? Would it be more about the accreditation and reputation of the school? That MS program from UB for example, said it has been going since 1977, so that seems like something that has been around for a long time might have more acceptance. What do you guys think?

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by momofmine

CS, Are these online or are some in person? I saw UB also had a one-weekend-a-month program. This stuff is so interesting to me too. I used to think about becoming a nutritionist. We have an RD program at our local university that is an MS, but I think it would be so hard to sit and listen to the talk about the food pyramid. But maybe that is how change happens...

All of those had an online option, but at least some had in-class too (I don't remember which ones, since I'm only looking at online for myself.)

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by kortner

I think on another thread somewhere WuWei/Pat mentioned unschooling yourself, which sounds lovely, though of course would not provide accreditation. I am definitely going to try to explore some of those free tools at Hawthorn University - you can download their full archive of classes it looks like! Liz Lipski, the author of Digestive Wellness teaches there too, and many of her lectures are available. If anyone's interested in picking a lecture to listen to and discuss, I'd be up for it!

I just started a new thread if anyone wants to discuss one of the lectures with me!

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by momofmine

I really think that being here for my kids right now is what I want the most, but there is part of me that longs to go back to school too.

Some of the best practitioners I know went to school in their 30's and 40's. They have a huge amount of real life experience to draw from. So, the application of new knowledge is so practical and connected to real life.


Pat

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by momofmine

But what are your thoughts about the online vs the in-person programs? My first reaction is to say that an online degree would have less merit and credibility, esp among mainstream folks, but is that not really true? Would it be more about the accreditation and reputation of the school?

I think most health care referrals are done by word of mouth. I didn't know, don't know, our classical homeopath's "credentials". Results speak for themselves. And she is a gifted empath. I believe that ALL health care support is an Art, as much as it is about "knowledge".

Besides, how many "credentialed" doctors don't know anything but that which they "learned" from a "text book".


Pat

[Theloose]

My motivation for doing this is to learn for myself, and to have a broad knowledge base so that I'm less likely to be 'missing something.' I want the science because I know it's out there, and because the people that I'm surrounded by (family and friends) would never listen to me if I don't get a 'real' degree. I've been unschooling myself, but I'm having trouble finding the information I'm looking for and I worry about gaps in my foundation. I worry more about accreditation than online vs in person when looking at how likely something is to be accepted.

My two top choices right now are:
Bridgeport - more alternative minded but fewer options/customization of program
Kansas State - more mainstream, but you can completely design your own program