Degree Requirements: Prerequisite courses in basic nutrition science, general biochemistry and anatomy and physiology are required. If desired, these courses can be completed at Saybrook as part of your degree program in the functional nutrition master's program.
Completion Time: 28-32 months. The master's program does not require a thesis.
Earned Credits: 39
Jump-start your career in nutrition with an M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree from Saybrook University. Using a holistic and evidence-based approach to nutrition, Saybrook graduates learn to craft personalized nutrition care that helps both nourish patients and remove barriers to optimal health. Registered dietitians are eligible for six credits of Advanced Standing, as are graduates of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Students can also minor in:
- Integrative Wellness Coaching
- Mind-Body Medicine
The M.S. program in Integrative and Functional Nutrition is a fully online* 39 credit master in functional medicine degree program that provides a holistic, evidence-based, and humanistic approach to nutrition practice. Saybrook’s functional nutrition master program gives students the skills to partner with their patients and to see the whole patient. Using a systems biology-based approach, graduates utilize this integrative and functional medicine degree to create personalized nutrition therapies with the best available science—therapies that help nourish patients and remove the barriers to health.
Courses such as Foundations of Integrative and Functional Nutrition, Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry, Systems Biology, and Therapeutic Diets help prepare students for their careers in the field of integrative and functional nutrition.
Graduates of the M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program are prepared to work in:
- Private outpatient practice
- Hospitals and health care organizations
- Public health and policymaking positions
- Nonprofit organizations
- Corporate wellness programs
- Natural product, dietary supplement, and food industries
- Health communications
- Athletic organizations and fitness facilities
- Wellness centers and spas
- Research and development
The M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree program is designed to fulfill the current academic requirements for the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) from the American Nutrition Association. The M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree program is also designed to meet the core academic requirements for the Certified Clinical Nutritionist credential (CCN) from the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board and is preapproved to allow graduates to waive the 56-hour post graduate studies in Clinical Nutrition (PCSCN). The M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree program does not lead to eligibility for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential (RDN), though may be useful for current Registered Dietitians to stay competitive. Starting January 2024, all individuals wishing to become RD’s will need a minimum of a master’s degree to sit for the credentialing exam.
Prospective students of the integrative and functional nutrition degree program should contact the appropriate board for eligibility requirements, as well as their state department of health to determine which of these certifications may be recognized for practice in their state, as well as any other licensing, registration or certification requirements, as they are subject to change.
More program information may be found in our Academic Catalog.
*All required coursework is done virtually; however Residential Conference (RC) participation is required when a student elects an open elective course with a residential training component. Additionally, while RC participation is not otherwise required, students may opt to attend at any time.
“The M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program has been an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience. From its top-notch professors to its cutting-edge research, I am now fully equipped with the tools to positively impact peoples’ health and quality of life. I love this field and look forward to the future as we continue to unravel the intricate nuances of the human body and honor the incredible impact of whole foods and proper nutrition. I know that Saybrook will continue to be an invaluable source of support and encouragement on this journey for years to come. ” – Caroline Holewa, M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition student.
“In the M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, students learn the mechanisms of chronic disease and from that, ways to create effective nutrition and lifestyle interventions. Whether you are new to the field, or a seasoned practitioner, Saybrook’s program meets you where you are at-giving you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to help others on their journey to optimal health.”-Melissa Gordon, M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition candidate
PROGRAM SUMMARY / FAQ
Is the M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition 100% online?
- Yes! The master’s in integrative and functional nutrition is offered by Saybrook University in a completely virtual format. This allows students worldwide to access our exceptional program with skilled professors, resources, and networking opportunities.
How long does the M.S. in Functional Nutrition program take to complete?
- The expected length of the M.S. in Functional Nutrition program is 28-32 months, longer if prerequisites are needed. Prerequisites for the program can also be taken at Saybrook University. After successful completion of the first semester, students may accelerate their program if desired.
Is a thesis required to complete the M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition at Saybrook University?
- No! Students end their degree with a capstone course and paper. No thesis is required to complete the holistic-nutrition degree program.
Is the functional nutrition master program flexible for students who are working?
- Yes! Saybrook offers the M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree program online, with flexible completion time. Choose from part-time to full-time course loads that fit your schedule. This functional nutrition master’s program is perfect for students who are working. Also, courses are offered online in an asynchronous format, giving you even more flexibility.
Are there any in-person events offered for students who wish to participate?
- Yes! Though not required for completion of the Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree, students may choose to attend any of Saybrook’s Residential Conferences (RCs) where they can meet students, faculty, and staff from other degree programs.
Does the M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program prepare me for any certifications?
- Yes, the Integrative and Functional Nutrition program is designed to fulfill the academic requirements for the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) from the American Nutrition Association and the core academic requirements for the Certified Clinical Nutritionist credential (CCN) from the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board. It also allows graduates to waive the 56-hour post-graduate studies in Clinical Nutrition (PCSCN).
Can I specialize in any area during my M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program?
- Yes, the functional nutrition master program offers options to minor in Integrative Wellness Coaching or Mind-Body Medicine, allowing you to acquire complementary skills that enhance your professional practice. Adding a minor will extend the total credits and duration of your program by approximately one to two semesters.
What prerequisites are required for the Master in Integrative Nutrition degree program?
- The Master’s in Integrative Nutrition degree program requires prerequisite courses in basic nutrition science, general biochemistry, and anatomy and physiology. If you haven’t completed these courses, they can be taken at Saybrook as part of your degree program.
The M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition requires 39 credits for those meeting the prerequisite course requirements of basic nutrition science, biochemistry, and anatomy and physiology. Prerequisites can be taken at Saybrook if desired. Prerequisites can count toward open electives, but depending on how many prerequisites are needed, and whether students need the academic writing course, the total credit load may be increased by up to nine additional credits.
This Master’s in Functional Nutrition degree program is offered 100% online and no face-to-face Residential Conferences (RCs) are required for this degree. This allows us to attract students from around the globe. However, students may choose to attend any of Saybrook’s RCs to meet students, faculty, and staff from other degree programs.
The Integrative and Functional Nutrition programs are conducted in an online learning environment, mostly asynchronous, supplemented by videoconferences with instructors and classmates. A typical full credit load is six credits per 15-week semester, which requires about 16 hours per week. The summer semester is eight weeks, which requires about twice the weekly study time. Because of its asynchronous nature, the online functional nutrition degree can be completed while students are working.
Students end their Master’s in Functional Nutrition with a capstone course and paper. No thesis is required. The expected length of the functional nutrition master’s program is 28-32 months, and longer if prerequisites are needed. After successful completion of the first semester, students may accelerate their program if desired.
Students earning an M.S. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition can acquire complementary skills to enhance their professional practice by adding a minor in Integrative Wellness Coaching or Mind-Body Medicine to their online functional nutrition degree. The addition of a minor will add to the total credits of the student’s program and take approximately one to two additional semesters to complete.
Saybrook University may accept up to three graduate transfer credits from other regionally accredited colleges and universities prior to entrance. Credits must be suitable for transfer to the intended degree program and must be approved by the department chair. Credits are applied to the number of elective or required course credits needed for degree completion.
Six credits of advanced standing are granted for registered dietitians or graduates of the Health Coach Training Program of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (INN).
“We are committed to a humanistic and evidence-based approach to nutrition practice. This is reflected in our curriculum, which is based in the tenets of integrative and functional medicine and uses the best available science. Saybrook graduates change the face of nutrition care by their ability to connect the person, their environment, and their illness to the mechanisms of disease, and by doing so, craft personalized therapies that result in whole-person wellness.”
– Lori Taylor, MA, MS, RD, chair, Integrative and Functional Nutrition
IFN 5670 – Foundations of IFN
Students taking this course will expand upon their knowledge of basic functional nutritional science and gain a foundational understanding of the integrative and functional approach to nutrition. The course reviews the fundamental principles and perspectives of conventional, traditional, integrative, and functional medical nutrition models to identify best practices for nutritional care. Students learn about the concepts and tools used within these practices and how they align with the integrative practitioner’s goal for personalized, whole-person, relationship-centered, and environmentally sensitive care. Prerequisite(s): IFN 5520 (or proof of previous nutrition coursework) 3 credit(s)
RES 1500 – Research Literacy for Practitioners
Through an introduction to the library, students will learn about the production and construction of scientific knowledge and how to effectively search and critically analyze published research in their field. Research ethics and ethical standards are discussed. Students will learn how to summarize and synthesize research to support scholarly arguments and practice-based decisions. The broader application of academic and scholarly research findings is also discussed. This course is designed to prepare master’s students to be successful consumers of research related to their field.
Students enrolled in a Saybrook M.S. to Ph.D. pathway program should consult with their department chair about the possibility of enrolling in RES 2100 as an equivalent 3 credit(s).
IFN 5681 – Systems Biology I
Systems Biology explains the physiology, pathophysiology, and applicable biochemistry that underlie the seven core imbalances within functional medicine. Understanding the physiological systems, and how they become unbalanced, is key to identifying and supporting interventions that address chronic disease. In Systems Biology I, students explore cardiovascular function; immunity and inflammation; digestion, absorption, and elimination. They examine how core imbalances within these systems contribute to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmunity, food allergy and intolerance, and gastrointestinal disorders. Prerequisite(s): IFN 5520, IFN 5688, IFN 5703 , IFN 5704 3 credit(s)
“We are committed to a humanistic and evidence-based approach to nutrition practice. This is reflected in our curriculum, which is based in the tenets of integrative and functional medicine and uses the best available science. Saybrook graduates change the face of nutrition care by their ability to connect the person, their environment and their illness to the mechanisms of disease, and by doing so, craft personalized therapies that result in whole-person wellness.”
– Lori Taylor, MA, MS, RD, chair, Integrative and Functional Nutrition
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