If you’re like me, nutrition has become a big part of your life. It literally changed my health!
Becoming so passionate about something can easily make you think of doing more with your interest. Have you wondered about doing a nutrition program or getting nutrition education so that you can start a career in wellness?
I’ve rounded up some of the best fully online programs that you could use to launch a career in wellness. Doing your own research is important, but this should get you started and give you a realistic idea of what each program entails and how it could help you achieve your career goals.
There are many different nutrition, health coaching, and other wellness credentials. They all mean different things, but the most important factor to know is how your state of residence defines them. Some credentials are accepted in all states, while others are not considered health practitioners in certain states.
Not all programs will give you credentials or letters you can use after your name. You don’t have to have these to be able to work in wellness or nutrition, but you need to decide what’s important for you.
When you’re thinking about credentials, ask yourself what job you want to end up with, and then pick a program that will get you there. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can also consider going to graduate school and becoming a dietitian, but those pathways tend to be lengthier and overall more expensive.
Still, it’s about what matters to you. You’re never too old to go back to school or to learn new things. I’ve proven that to myself over and over! For example, I’m more of an athlete now than I ever would have dreamed of. Intentionally challenge yourself to learn new things and see what happens!
While every job will be different, there is some information on the internet about what you might expect to earn as a health coach. In the US, according to the popular job search site Indeed, the average salary for a health coach is $36,000 per year or around $15 per hour. These averages will vary widely by state or location, and whether the job is at a smaller business or a larger company.
You can also have the potential to earn more money if you start your own business, although it may take time to work up to a part or full-time income.
The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for health coaches and people with these credentials will continue to be in high demand for many years to come.
All of these programs are designed for adults who are working full-time, but some of them are more time-intensive than others. As online courses, they have some level of flexibility built-in but some have more “live” requirements than others.
If you’re looking to get your feet wet but not dive into a full program, see my post 11 Useful (and Fun) Skills You Can Learn Online for the resources that helped me.
Healthy eating means different things depending on who you ask. A holistic nutritionist will answer differently from a clinical nutritionist, and so on. Some programs, like studying dietetics and becoming a registered dietitian, involve a lot more government-mandated protocols being taught. Find a program that agrees with your philosophy on nutrition and wellness so that you can really dig into the nutrition degree or program that you pursue.
While there are many different online nutrition courses and certifications, these are some of the best. Here is a breakdown of each program, the certifications they offer, the cost, and what you might expect to do once you’ve completed the coursework.