Integrative and Functional Nutrition, M.S.

Saybrook’s Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Nutrition was designed to educate the next generation of nutrition professionals. Graduates of this program will be prepared to apply advanced evidence-based nutritional approaches to effectively address conditions ranging from obesity and high blood pressure to depression and chronic pain.

Integrative and functional nutritionists recognize how physical health is influenced by biological, environmental, behavioral, and emotional factors. They apply knowledge from biological and nutritional sciences to the results from comprehensive nutritional assessments to inform nutritional diagnoses and develop personalized nutrition care plans to help clients achieve optimal health and vitality.

Declining global health dictates a greater need for well-trained, competent nutrition practitioners across healthcare settings. This need is not being met by current educational models. Thus, CIMHS has created a Master of Science degree in Integrative and Functional Nutrition to prepare future nutrition leaders in the health field. With courses that study nutritional biochemistry and physiology, functional nutrition assessment methodologies, and integrative nutritional therapies, this program equips its students with cutting-edge knowledge, skills, and competencies to be professional nutrition practitioners addressing world-wide health concerns of individuals and communities.

For information on where Saybrook University meets, does not meet, or has not determined if the program meets licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit: https://www.saybrook.edu/admissions/professional-licensure-and-certification-disclosures/

Program Learning Outcomes

Apply evidence-based integrative and functional nutrition approaches to comprehensively assess and promote the health and wellness of diverse individuals and communities.
Critically evaluate and utilize evidence-based resources to inform professional practice.
Explain the science of integrative and functional nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention and management to lay audiences and health professionals.
Apply knowledge of biochemical, physiological, and psychosocial sciences to assess nutritional status and design integrative interventions. 
Identify and articulate the ethical, humanistic, and legal guidelines for professional nutrition practitioners.

Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Applicants for the Master of Science degree in Integrative and Functional Nutrition must:

Submit official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university, with a 3.0 or higher GPA;
Provide official transcripts showing completion of undergraduate or graduate-level science courses in the past ten years, with a minimum of a B in each, including 3 credit units from each: a) biochemistry or organic chemistry, b) anatomy and/or physiology, and c) human nutrition. Students lacking any of these courses may be admitted and will add these courses to their Saybrook program plan;
Provide a sample demonstrating academic writing skills. Writing samples and other Admissions documents must be solely and independently authored by the applicant, not professionally edited, and written within the past ten years. Writing samples will be analyzed to assess the applicant’s need for a graduate level academic course. Note that if plagiarism is found, it may disqualify the applicant for admission. Plagiarism is defined in the Saybrook catalog section, “Policy on Academic Honesty (Plagiarism) and Authorship.” Applicants with challenges in academic writing may be accepted but will be required to take the academic writing class
Submit a personal statement addressing their educational objectives; and
Submit a resume or curriculum vita.

Degree Requirements

Saybrook’s Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Nutrition requires 39 credits for those students meeting prerequisite science course requirements, and 39-48 credits for those adding any prerequisite science requirements or the academic writing course. No face-to-face residential components (RC) are required for this degree. However, students may choose to attend any of Saybrook’s RCs where they will meet other Saybrook students, faculty and staff. Aside from the optional RC, all required coursework is conducted in an online learning environment, mostly asynchronous, supplemented by live video conferences with instructors and classmates. Students write a Capstone paper in their final semester and must pass a final exam in order to graduate from the program. No thesis is required. The expected length of the 39-credit program is approximately 28 months for students enrolled full-time.

Students earning a Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Nutrition can acquire complementary skills to enhance their professional practice by adding a Minor in Integrative Wellness Coaching or a Minor in Mind-Body Medicine to their degree program. The addition of a Minor will add to the total credits of the student’s program and take approximately one to two semesters to complete.

Saybrook may accept up to six graduate transfer credits into the Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Nutrition from other regionally accredited colleges and universities prior to entrance. Transfer credits must be suitable for transfer to the intended degree and approved by the Department Chair. Credits are applied to the number of elective or required course credits needed for degree completion.

For further details regarding transfer credit policies, consult the Institutional Transfer Credit Guidelines section of the University Catalog.

Degree Curriculum

The 39-credit Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Nutrition (IFN) includes 15 credits of core courses, 6 credits of research courses, 15 credits of IFN electives, and 3 open credits.

Core Courses required of all MS IFN students (15 credits)

IFN 5684 - Capstone Seminar in Integrative and Functional Nutrition 2 credit(s)
IFN 5688 - Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry—Macronutrients 3 credit(s)
IFN 5689 - Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry—Micronutrients 3 credit(s)
IFN 5681 - Systems Biology I 3 credit(s)
IFN 5514 - Virtual Community in Nutrition 1 credit(s)
IFN 5670 - Foundations of Integrative and Functional Nutrition 3 credit(s)

Research Courses required of all MS IFN students (6 credits)

RES 1500 - Research Literacy for Practitioners 3 credit(s)
RES 1700 - Research Methods for Practitioners 3 credit(s)

IFN Electives: Choose 5 from the list below (15 credits):

IFN 5515 - Systems Biology of Lifestyle Medicine 3 credit(s)
IFN 5522 - Nutritional Genomics 3 credit(s)
IFN 5611 - Therapeutic Diets and Menu Planning 3 credit(s)
IFN 5661 - Nutritional Foundations of Mental Health 3 credit(s)
IFN 5663 - Sports and Exercise Nutrition 3 credit(s)
IFN 5673 - Integrative Approaches to the Digestive System 3 credit(s)
IFN 5676 - Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicine 3 credit(s)
IFN 5682 - Systems Biology II 3 credit(s)
IFN 5686 - Functional Nutrition Laboratory Testing 3 credit(s)
IFN 5694 - Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam 3 credit(s)
IFN 5705 - Psychobiology of Eating 3 credit(s)
IFN 5900 - Integrative Approaches to Chronic Disease 3 credit(s)
IFN 5660 - Methods in Nutrition Research 3 credit(s)
Open elective: 3 credit(s)

Students select any one 3-credit courses across the University for which they are eligible. Students requiring any of the basic sciences or academic writing may use open elective credits to meet these requirements.

*All required coursework is done virtually. However, some elective options have 1-2-day residential components for which students would be required to attend if they select these courses. Also note that while the residential component is not required, students may opt to attend at any time.

MS IFN Total Degree Requirements - 39 credits

Basic Science Pre-requisites and Academic Writing (if required)

IFN 5520 - Nutritional Science 3 credit(s)
IFN 5703 - General Biochemistry 3 credit(s)
IFN 5704 - Anatomy and Physiology 3 credit(s)
MBM 5507 - Graduate Level Academic Writing 3 credit(s)

Total Degree Requirements with Basic Science(s) and Writing: 39-51 credits

Degree Requirements for 2021-2022 Academic Year approved by CIMHS Degree Program Committee.

Optional: Minor in Mind-Body Medicine - 12 credits

MBM 5710 - Mind-Body Therapies and Practices 3 credit(s)
Choose 3 from the list below - 9 credits
APH 5201 - Principles and Theories of Stress Management 3 credit(s)
CS 6606 - Introduction to Expressive Arts 3 credit(s)
CSIH 3160 - Personal Mythology and Dreamwork 3 credit(s)
APH 5622 - Basic Training and Education in Biofeedback 3 credit(s) Residential Conference Required
MBM 5616 - Movement Modalities for Wellness 3 credit(s) Residential Conference Required
MBM 5635 - Spirituality and Health 3 credit(s)
MBM 5510 - Imagery for Health 3 credit(s) Residential Conference Required
MBM 5645 - The Human Energy Field and Energy Medicine 3 credit(s)
MBM 5655 - Mindfulness, Meditation, and Health 3 credit(s) Residential Conference Required
Other options may be required with MBM department chair permission

MS IFN Total Degree Requirements with Minor in MBM - 48-60 credits

Optional: Minor in Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) - 9 credits

COA 5628 - Evidence-Based Coaching 3 credit(s) Residential Conference Required
COA 5632 - Intermediate Coaching 3 credit(s)
COA 5593 - Advanced Coaching 3 credit(s)
Saybrook’s IWC Certificate program is specifically geared toward individuals who do not currently hold an ICF or NBHWC credential.

MS IFN Total Degree Requirements with Minor in IWC - 45-57 credits

Degree Requirements for 2021-2022 Academic Year approved by CIMHS Degree Program Committee.

Notes:

The degree completion time for a full-time student following the default course sequence will average 21 months to two years. Some students may complete degree requirements sooner and some may take longer to complete this degree. Those students incorporating prerequisite sciences, academic writing, or a Minor into their course plan may require longer to complete the degree.
Students who demonstrate equivalent professional learning to waive a required course(s) will be able to take elective course(s) in place of the waived course(s). Available electives will be discussed with your academic advisor in your first term of enrollment.
Students who hold the credential of Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration are eligible for Advanced Standing and will receive a 6-credit reduction from the Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program or a 9-credit reduction from the PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program. This is the maximum allowance for credit reduction for these programs. Credit reduction may be made by removal of required or elective courses and will be determined on an individual basis by the department chair or academic advisor.
The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) provides holistic training in the field of nutrition. IIN’s Health Coach Training Program includes coursework in nutrition, health and wellness, coaching techniques, business skills, and personal development. The articulation agreement with Saybrook University allows graduates of the IIN training programs to authorize six credits of graduate credit toward CIMHS masters and doctoral programs.

Learning and Career Outcomes

The Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Nutrition at Saybrook University prepares students for advanced integrative and functional nutrition practice and exposes them to various complementary healthcare practices. Additionally, this degree prepares individuals for advanced doctoral level studies in nutrition or other health-related professions.

Saybrook University’s Masters of Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree program is designed to fulfill the current academic requirements for the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) exam. The Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) requires a graduate degree in the field of nutrition from a regionally accredited university, specific coursework, and 1000 hours of supervised experience. The BCNS reviews each candidate individually, including current course descriptions, transcripts and experience to determine eligibility. To learn more about becoming a CNS, see www.theana.org

In addition, the program fulfills the current core academic requirements in nutrition of the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB) for the Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) credential. The CNCB reviews course descriptions, applicant’s transcripts, and academic programs to determine eligibility for the CCN examination. To learn more about becoming a CCN, see www.cncb.org

The Master of Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree program does not lead to eligibility for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN®) credential.

Depending upon each state’s specific credentialing and practice requirements, graduates may consider careers in:

Independent consulting and private practice
Medical centers, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other clinical care settings
Higher education
Health promotion and wellness education programs
Yoga and wellness retreats, sports care facilities
Culinary institutes, agricultural programs, schools, prisons, restaurants and corporate food service establishments
Public health care, community organizations, legislature and policy settings
Natural products and dietary supplement industries
Research and development
Nutrition, science, food, medical writing/journalism (non-technical, technical)

Prospective students who are interested in taking courses within the Integrative and Functional Nutrition program at Saybrook, yet do not wish to undertake a master’s degree are encouraged to review the Certificate options described later in this catalog.

Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)