Nutritional Therapy Diploma Course - eLearning

***Level 6 Diploma in Nutritional Therapy - eLearning*** regulated by CNHC (Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council)

The Nutritional Therapy Diploma is ION’s internationally renowned qualification that has been running for over thirty years. The NTDC was one of the first courses to obtain accreditation* by the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC) reflecting the quality and rigour of the learning completed by our students.

Our philosophical approach is founded in Functional Medicine that grew out of naturopathy, the work of orthomolecular scientists such as Linus Pauling, and current research in psychoneuroimmunology. Functional Medicine is a science-based, holistic, client-centred approach to assessment, prevention and the management of complex health problems and chronic disease. It aims to identify biochemical and physiological imbalances that may be causing health problems in the individual, and address these principally through nutrition, lifestyle management and behavioural change.

We are very proud of our diploma courses and look forward to welcoming you here at ION for the start of your journey towards better health and nourishment for you, your family and clients.

• Institute for Optimum Nutrition Prospectus - download

Our 3 year comprehensive part-time modular course delivers an evidence informed curriculum that is up to date. Alongside rigorous clinical training to form the necessary basis of a career as a trusted, safe, effective nutritional therapy practitioner with the highest professional standards.

In Year 1 the focus is food and nutrition sciences. The foundation of effective practice is a comprehensive knowledge of the principles and philosophy of practice, components of food and their roles in human biochemistry and health, leading to dietary analysis and menu-planning.

In Year 2 the focus moves to exploring underlying biomechanical imbalances, diseases and conditions and the impact of nutrition. You begin to learn about functional tests, therapeutic foods, nutraceuticals, drug nutrient interactions and how to work with clients therapeutically through roleplay.

Year 3 considers more advanced health issues, specialist and complex aspects of practice, understanding your boundaries as a practitioner, researching, planning and reflecting on how you propose to develop a successful career or business in nutritional therapy. There is a more in-depth study of the therapeutic relationship, using functional testing and personalising management plans. The emphasis is on clinical practice underpinned by research, translated into live clinical practice in the Optimum Nutrition Clinic in Richmond.

How will I learn?

You will be taught by experienced lectures and clinical practitioners with expertise in specialist subjects and who contribute to the profession, ensuring your qualification in industry-relevant and meets the needs of employers.

We give you skills to develop your critical thinking and ability to practise independently. As you progress through the course you will learn how to write for a wide variety of audiences, research and source information, analyse and questions ideas, think creatively safely and ethically and construct logical arguments based on diverse sources of evidence to support your conclusions. Your clinical practice skills will be developed initially through role play and case scenarios. In year 3 you will have sufficient knowledge and skills to enter the Optimum Nutrition Clinic and work directly with clients, supervised individually by our Clinical Practice Tutors.

eLearning option

Our distance or e-Learning mode allows for the majority of the course (with the exception of clinical practice) to be completed remotely. However, a two-day block of attendance is required in Year Two and two three-day blocks of attendance are required in Year Three to develop your clinical practice skills.

A variety of engaging online teaching methods are used and all lectures are recorded to give you the opportunity to listen to them at your convenience to embed and enhance your learning and understanding.

As with the attendance option, tutors will engage with you via course forums and core formative activities. You will also be invited to attend pre-scheduled online tutorials, which provide you with an opportunity to connect with tutors and peers. All assessments are timetabled.

ION currently offers two entry dates for our e-learning option:

• September
• February

The course is offered in attendance and eLearning options.

How will I be assessed?

Our approach to assessment is one of preparing you for entry to the nutritional therapy profession and to post-graduate education. Assessments are designed to demonstrate that you have met the National Occupational Standards and Core curriculum so that you are eligible to join the professional body the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) register.

Your module leaders will prepare you to succeed. You will be provided with clear, detailed written and video presented assessment criteria.

Examples of assessment methods;

• Essays and Essay plans
• Short answer researched questions
• Research critiques
• Viva
• Business plan
• Aide memoirs
• Reflective narratives
• Drawing on personal and professional development planning
• Case studies
• Clinical competencies

What support will I be given?

• You will have a year tutor whom you can contact by telephone and email
• You will have module leader support contactable via forums and webinars
• Through our virtual learning environment, you will have 24-hour access to course information, downloadable notes and video, study skills, assignment guidance and much more
• Benefit from peer group support through online student forums
• We will provide training to develop your research skills and your academic literacy and integrity
• You also have access to assistance from the Academic Support Tutor throughout your course

Many of our students come to nutritional therapy having experienced for themselves or through a loved one the healing power of nutrition often when other approaches have failed. Others are looking for a career change, or a better work-life or are returning to work balance. They all want to share their passion by helping others, either family and friends or the public to discovery these benefits too. There is a strong drive to understand how nutritional therapy works and how to apply this therapeutically.

Most nutrition practitioners have a portfolio career (a number of part-time jobs) which requires them to highly motivated networkers, creative and able to seek out opportunities. The focus of their portfolio is usually their own nutritional therapy clinic which they combine with other roles e.g. group practice, working with corporates and communities (schools, charities etc.), providing technical support for supplement and testing companies, teaching etc

Applicants must normally demonstrate a broad general education including:

1. Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) in Maths and English.
2. 160 UCAS tariff points, which would normally include at least two ‘A’ levels or equivalent qualifications (Level 3), with ‘A’ level in the sciences (Biology, Chemistry & Anatomy and Physiology)

Students who do not meet the requirements are offered a place on the ION Science Access Course which consists of three modules: Chemistry, Biology & Anatomy and Physiology.

• Nutritional therapist in private practice, natural health clinics, integrated medical practices and health & fitness clubs
• Group work – weight management groups, healthy eating workshops
• Corporate nutrition- health checks, seminars, health programmes
• Health foods /retail
• Media work — blogging, TV
• Technical advisor or sales rep — food & supplement industries
• Teaching
• Research opportunities