This covers the above and the nutrition for Personal Trainers programs that range from 1/2 day CEC (fitness) Seminars/Courses through to, 3-month programs. These are often (but not always) centred around weight management through behaviours. Depending on the program 0 -1 subjects of the certificate will be eligible for credit.

Programs inclusive of this, such as but not limited to Recomp and GPNI, have merit via their ISSN inclusion, but are fixed systems that only allow education within said platforms. I.e. muscle increases with ‘x’ weight on your 1rm deadlift, and nutrient timing is essential for all hypertrophy. Rather than educating the mechanics of how these things work, and other physiological processes via in-depth foundational education thus creating a reliance on these fixed systems. The ISSN component can be assessed to receive 0-1 subjects of credit for the certificate program.

Are fixed programs like those mentioned above, but do not include the background education from the ISSN Journal, nor any measurable assessment like the ISSN exams. These are not recognised, and hormonal manipulation of nutrition, or somatotype nutrition is not a part of an Accredited Sports Nutritionists’ scope, or any other entry-level allied health or fitness professional for that matter. These programs receive no credit.

Is not an accredited university (unlike the name implies), but is a private education provider and provides a very solid framework for global nutrition education. It covers many topics effectively at a fundamental level. It covers some sports, general population, and even some chronic disease. Unfortunately, because it is so broad and does touch on chronic disease intervention, in most regions the minimum requirement for any registered professional to work with chronic disease is a 4-year bachelor degree. The Sports Nutrition education is not in-depth enough to meet the minimum compliance required for registration as an Accredited Sports Nutritionist. Graduates receive 3 subjects credit into the certificate from MNU.

Depending on the university you study at and how you major, these programs provide in-depth education and clinical practise in specialist population management of nutrition. This mainly focuses on Chronic Disease prevention and sometimes treatment (depending on the degree and level). Some Sports Nutrition electives are available but vary in the learning outcomes of the program. Graduates of these programs are commonly eligible to register as Nutritionists (but not always), however, sports and body composition are not included in their covered activities. As such, further specific study is required. Graduates of these programs receive 30-70% credit for the certificate based on academic transcript assessment against the 12 subjects required for registration.

These are graduates of the Masters in Dietetics University Programs within Australia. They are registered with the DAA (Dietitians Association of Australia) and are covered for all populations and clinical treatment of specific chronic disease. Like the undergraduate health science nutritionists, sports subjects as electives are the only option to sports specific study during the program so education here may be limited. Total study time of 5 years full-time.

These are dietitians who have completed their master’s program and have since spent 2 years educating themselves in the field of Sports Nutrition, a total study time of 7-8 years full-time. This is the highest level of accreditation.

Is the entry-level qualification that provides provisional accreditation (which lasts for up to 3 years) for those members without a relevant health science or sports science tertiary degree (either a Gdip or Bachelors as a minimum). It thoroughly covers the foundations of Applied Sports Nutrition Practise, with no clinical aspects of chronic disease treatment & management, while providing thorough training on the screening referral triage process to allied health specialists where health risk is present. For those students with no prior study, in order to achieve full accreditation they are required to enrol into either a graduate diploma program or relevant university program. The body has been fortunate enough to provide this provisional timeline to allow its members to establish experience practising and thus enabling them to ascertain whether or not this is a long term career for them without accruing tens of thousands of dollars in student loans, or committing to years of study before finding out this isn’t the career path for them.

NB* All graduates of the Certificate are guaranteed entry into the IOPN Graduate Diploma Program.

Is the complete level of the minimum standard for full accreditation as an Accredited Sports Nutritionist. These programs are extensively thorough in their specific coverage of Sports Performance, body composition, and energy availability metabolism. These programs and institutes are of the highest calibre in Sports Nutrition internationally but do not provide any clinical expertise in treating or managing chronic disease. Individuals who complete either of these programs receive close to full credit with 1-2 subjects required to be completed for registration requirements.