A degree in something fitness/nutrition/wellness related. Any suggestions?

[ahansen]

I've been a wellness coach for several years and I love it but I found a new company I want to work for that pays a *lot* more than what I'm making now. However they require a related degree. So I'd like to get a degree in something covers both fitness and nutrition.

I've done a lot of research but I have yet to come across anything really affordable and fast. Both of which, I need.

Any suggestions from the well researched and very helpful folks here? (Thanks!!)

[cookderosa]

I've been a wellness coach for several years and I love it but I found a new company I want to work for that pays a *lot* more than what I'm making now. However they require a related degree. So I'd like to get a degree in something covers both fitness and nutrition.

I've done a lot of research but I have yet to come across anything really affordable and fast. Both of which, I need.

Any suggestions from the well researched and very helpful folks here? (Thanks!!)

Nutrition the science field or nutrition the wellness field? What does the job description ask for specifically?

[ahansen]

Nutrition the science field or nutrition the wellness field? What does the job description ask for specifically?

It just says that I have to have a degree in a "health-related field". But from the types of people I know they hire, it's more on the science side of things.

I think I'd be fine either way though because I have both a Personal Training and a Nutrition certification too. I think that and my experience is what's more important to them.

So I just need any nutrition/exercise/wellness type degree. Ideally I'd like to find one that covers all the bases in the title but since I'm also poor right now, I'll be happy with the fastest, cheapest degree that will fit the bill.

[12save]

The girl next door is starting her second year of a degree in kinesiology, but it is at one of the csu's - I am in California. But it is a traditional degree. I assume you want to test out? What credits do you already have or will your certifications allow some portfolio credit. I know that Charter Oak has a BS in liberal arts in which you might be able to combine a liberal art like biology with an applied art/science like nutrition science? I am also a newbie, so I am sure some of the longtime members will have better ideas.

[Leedeedee]

The Excelsior BS in Natural Sciences (Biology Concentration) looks fairly exam friendly. There are a few courses you'd definitely have to take either through Excelsior or elsewhere though, (for example the General Biology with Lab). I'm not sure how Excelsior are with accepting courses from Straighterline, Penn Foster etc though. If they do, then I think this is a good bet.

Excelsior College | Bachelors Degrees | Natural Sciences Degree – Biology | Online Classes

Does anyone else have any knowledge of this degree?

Edited: just seen that there's a non concentration version of this degree too, so a BS in Natural Sciences. This would be even more exam friendly

Excelsior College | Bachelors Degrees | Natural Sciences Degree | Online Classes, Degrees

[cookderosa]

It just says that I have to have a degree in a "health-related field". But from the types of people I know they hire, it's more on the science side of things.

I think I'd be fine either way though because I have both a Personal Training and a Nutrition certification too. I think that and my experience is what's more important to them.

So I just need any nutrition/exercise/wellness type degree. Ideally I'd like to find one that covers all the bases in the title but since I'm also poor right now, I'll be happy with the fastest, cheapest degree that will fit the bill.

Health related field means anything, if that's true, it wouldn't have to be nutrition, which would be easier imo. Nutrition job postings that require a BS, say Dietetics, or ask for a credential or uses the phrases Nutritionist, Nutrition Specialist, Registered Dietitian, Registered Diet Tech, or something along those lines are all in a different category- they will require clinical hours, accreditation specific to dietetics, and a state license process for the student. That's a path to avoid as long as you're 100% sure you never want to work in any of those fields. IF you think even for a millisecond that you might want to be a nutritionist or something along those lines, you can use this link: http://www.eatrightacend.org/ACEND/ to find ACEND accredited programs in your state. It's against the law in about 46 states to say you are a nutritionist or similar without a license.

Now, for everyone else. Undergrad in nutrition health/wellness- this is my favorite regionally accredited program Nutrition Degree Programs | Bastyr University

From an RA college but non-credit certificate, TESC has this: Thomas Edison State College: Find a Noncredit Program

If you don't have to have regional accreditation, you can find zillions of them via google search.


Now, obviously the specific job you're looking at will be filled before you complete a degree, but I'd encourage you to look through lots of online job search pages to find jobs that match what you'd like to do and then read the credentials that way. You'd be surprised that some jobs require RD, and again, you'll want to either rule that out or rule that in first. http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Wellness+&l=

Whatever you do, I'd caution you against completing a non-ACEND nutrition program through a for-profit like this: Nutrition Science Degrees Online: Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition Science | Kaplan University
because those degrees are expensive and do NOT qualify you to work in nutrition or obtain a license.

Hope that gets you rolling.

PS My degree is non-ACEND

[sanantone]

You might want to call up Charter Oak State College to see if your personal trainer certification will qualify you for their health studies concentration.

ETA: TESC also offers a for-credit undergraduate certificate in Fitness and Wellness Services.

Thomas Edison State College: Fitness & Wellness Services

[sanantone]

The Excelsior BS in Natural Sciences (Biology Concentration) looks fairly exam friendly. There are a few courses you'd definitely have to take either through Excelsior or elsewhere though, (for example the General Biology with Lab). I'm not sure how Excelsior are with accepting courses from Straighterline, Penn Foster etc though. If they do, then I think this is a good bet.

Excelsior College | Bachelors Degrees | Natural Sciences Degree – Biology | Online Classes

Does anyone else have any knowledge of this degree?

Edited: just seen that there's a non concentration version of this degree too, so a BS in Natural Sciences. This would be even more exam friendly

Excelsior College | Bachelors Degrees | Natural Sciences Degree | Online Classes, Degrees

TESC's BA in Natural Science and Mathematics is more flexible and test-friendly. You can test out of the whole degree except for the capstone. Excelsior's program requires an upper level lab course and a Research and Writing in Liberal Arts course to which I do not think has a test equivalent unless they will accept Research Methods. It would also be difficult to get the 18 upper level credits required within the major.

[cookderosa]

TESC's BA in Natural Science and Mathematics is more flexible and test-friendly.

The trouble will be finding RA DL nutrition/health courses to fill the requirements. Bio based intro to nutrition will be science (that's an easy one- but beyond that....? So, everything non-bio will be electives. This would be a huge stretch to call it a fitness-nutrition-wellness-related degree. Even if you COULD find 20-something credits of health/nutrition distance learning from a RA source, you've now taken test-friendly out of the equation. I see this as a bad plan, it won't be cheap, fast, test-friendly, or match the OP's request.

[sanantone]

The trouble will be finding RA DL nutrition/health courses to fill the requirements. Bio based intro to nutrition will be science (that's an easy one- but beyond that....? So, everything non-bio will be electives. This would be a huge stretch to call it a fitness-nutrition-wellness-related degree. Even if you COULD find 20-something credits of health/nutrition distance learning from a RA source, you've now taken test-friendly out of the equation. I see this as a bad plan, it won't be cheap, fast, test-friendly, or match the OP's request.

I wasn't the one who brought up the natural science degree. I was just pointing out that Excelsior's program is not really test-friendly. The OP, however, did say health-related. That's broader than fitness-wellness-nutrition.