Hi  – ok so this really depends on what you want to be learning/working, how long you want to study for, what you can afford, and where your current nutrition/functional medicine education is at.

Some basic nutrition education is recommended before jumping into functional medicine education.

If you’re just starting out, I recommend you look at basic nutrition programs first. A few B Better members are studying at IIN – it’s the most well known nutrition health coaching program. I personally preferred studying at Nutritional Therapy Association (NTP) and can say it was a turning point for me. No prior nutrition education is needed, which is why it’s a great starting place for many with an interest in getting into this field. I loved the depth of information they taught us. I also did the “functional” track which allowed me to also learn hands-on clinical skills. I had to travel 3 times that year to the US and Canada for hands-on clinical workshops and exams. But if you’re not planning on working with clients 1-1 in person, then this won’t be necessary. A fully online/remote option is available.

From there, you can add functional medicine certifications or programs that help with labwork interpretation. Many NTP graduates continue with Restorative Wellness Solutions (RWS). But some choose Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN).

If you’re looking for a certified title (certified nutritionist) that allows you to register with the health authority and work in clinical settings, then I would encourage you to go the University route. The University of Western States has an online masters program in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. I did consider this program, but opted for the School of Applied Functional Medicine instead because I did not care for the degree/title.

I’m not familiar with the one you suggested above, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good. There are so many options today which is great to see. Maybe  can also suggest a few different FM schools.

But what I highly recommend you do is put together an excel sheet to compare the many different schools and what they offer. Include columns for curriculums, accreditation, pricing, program duration, online/offline, etc. and once you narrow it down based on your needs, contact those schools and ask for student referrals. Speak to other students who have gone through those programs.

I’m also going to ping  who recently started stuying functional medicine as well. She is in a similar situation to you in terms of just starting out, so I’m sure she’ll also have some interesting insights to share with you.

I’m excited for you!! Let’s keep the conversation going.

Hi Angela,
Very exited for you to approach this path!
I myself was fascinated by functional medicine when I started working with Bernadette years ago and it might sound funny to some, but it literally makes me happy to learn every day!
Send me a private message and we can have a chat
You go girl

Hey ,

I remembered when I wanted to sign up for an education in functional medicine, I was really excited! Back then there wasn’t so much to choose from me. Functional medicine was (and still isn’t) something well-known in my country.

I agree with Bernadette that having a basic understanding of nutrition will help a lot. Since my first education where all Dutch education, I can’t help you there, but with the options Bernadette mentioned I have heard some positive critics. (If you like to know more: the IIN offer a sample class here. The NTA offers something similar here)

Because functional medicine isn’t well known in my country, I didn’t care about the type of certification as well. I just wanted to offer my clients the best possible advice for their health-related questions. I ended up studying at The School of Applied Functional Medicine as well, but I remembered looking at IFM (The Institute for Functional Medicine) as well. 

If you can use certificates to increase job opportunities in your country, I would definitely let this take into account in your decision.

I would recommend trying out one of their free classes and seeing if you like how they teach you.
• Here is a free class about constipation offered by the school of applied functional medicine
• Here you can find free classes of IFM.

Just like Bernadette said, also talk to their students, preferably in different years as well. They will give you an idea about the pros and the cons and the workload…

… and let us know what you would like to choose!

I’m so excited for you. It seems like you’ve found your new calling!! Welcome to the #foreverstudent club!! You’ll never stop learning in this field.

 I think these are already a lot of choices. There are more schools, but I don’t have experience with them.

The Functional Medicine University (FMU – click here) is one for example, although I heard the way they teach is pretty dry. At the Integrative Health Practicioner (IHP – click here) functional medicine is offered as well, but they have other holistic approaches as well, just like CNM.

In the end, the most important thing about the school you choose is the question ‘Do you like the teaching experience?’. If you don’t like the teaching style, it gets less likely to commit to the school.

Hello this is very helpful information. I am very interested to study functional medicine as well. I am very passionate about it so much after your courses. I have contacted many schools. I will do the excel sheets idea as will. I was searching for fast track programs of health coach certificate. I need it only to join the functional medicine school. They will start September I don’t know if there is less than 6 month. All the one I saw they don’t. 

Here is some of the school I have looked at. 
• FMCA – functional medicine coaching academy 
• ADAPT health coach school 
• Dr. Sears wellness institute 
• Health coach institute 
• INN 
• Duke university 
• IFN Academy 
• CNM college naturopathic medicine 

Thank you so much 

 thanks for sharing your list of prospective schools – I’m sure it will be helpful to other members looking to pursue functional medicine.

if you don’t mind, can you please share your response in the forum so others can benefit from your response as well?

@Sheetal Ramchandani tagging you in this post thread