The gold standard in foundational sports nutrition education.
Do you want a fulfilling and high paying income stream? By becoming an accredited sports nutritionist you can make a great living by making a difference.
Based on member data, on average our students make $135,000 a year full-time and $56,000 a year part time.
Increase Your Income And Coach Clients From Anywhere In The World By Becoming An Accredited & Fully Insured Sports Nutritionist
Who The Certification Is For
Fitness Professionals
Personal trainers and coaches who want to increase their income, get better results for their clients and be able to coach clients from anywhere.
Recent Graduates
People who’ve graduated in a sports science, nutrition or exercise degree that want to complete their edution and become legally insured.
University Students
People currently studying who want to graduate with paying clients, and find out if they like the industry before committing to 4+ years of study.
Newcomers
People who want a fulfilling and high-paying career that love the idea of helping people achieve their health goes through nutrition.
About The Certificate
Our Certificate is the only non university undergraduate program that provides the minimum standard for subjects that relate to effective competence as a Sports Nutritionist.
If you are looking at practising in this profession, then you should only be considering university programs or the Sports Nutrition Association Certificate (or one of the recognised affiliates).
The course is entirely online, runs for 17-22 weeks, and is self paced with set due dates. The program is regularly assessed for national and international education and qualification framework auditors/compliance officers as well as regular review from post graduate subject matter experts.
12 pillar subjects
45 scored exams
80 lectures + 20 additional learning videos
2 text books (required for non university students)
7 practical real world case study assignments
1 practical video submission assignment
The Sports Nutrition Association is not accredited with any national qualification frameworks. Prior to our inception, no standardised framework existed. We have an advisory board of the top researchers and practitioners in the field, who in conjunction with our global underwriting firms, and third party compliance auditors/regulators review and update the content annually based on the latest research and insurance feedback.
National frameworks and framework accreditation typically conflict, especially in the Applied Sports & Nutrition Sciences. As countries and regions primarily recognise qualifications and programs from their own national frameworks. A country will rarely recognise qualifications from another country’s national framework.
By establishing a global minimum education standard, the Association has solved this problem and allows for recognition of members in every region they are operating in.
12 Core Subjects
Nutrition 1 provides the student with some basic nutrition information around Macro and Micronutrients, food tracking methods and the feasibility of food planning options. This module also includes how to assess, coach and develop nutritional literacy with clients. We also provide information around how to read nutrition labels and the basics of hydration.
Nutrition 2 outlines the nutritional programming models used and principles and models for weight management and body composition changes. Learn how to make a meal plan, utilise diet breaks and re feeds with an evidence based approach. Considerations are made around intentional eating, carbohydrate utilisation, diet flexibility and mental health considerations of diet culture.
Nutrition Physiology explores the areas of digestive physiology and metabolism of nutrients, as well as nutrition and gut health. This module will also look at female specific nutrition periodisation, health biomarkers and Nutrition to help with immunity
Exercise Physiology covers thermodynamics and components of TDEE, the basics of bioenergetics including fuel sources and energy systems, methods of body composition assessment and when they appropriate to implement and applying these bioenergetic principles to exercise in different contexts of fed vs fasted states
Applied Exercise Physiology provides a practical component to assess the BioEnergetics principles and repetitions in reserve method of RPE. In this module, the student will also learn about how the endocrine system (our hormones) functions & how it interacts within our nutritional and exercise environment, and how to account for the impact of exercise on daily energy expenditure.
The Biochemistry unit covers the concepts of biochemistry, from: the structure of a cell, the function of cellular metabolism and how is dynamically interacts with exercise and nutrition metabolism.
This unit covers Nutritional Health Risk Assessment & Screening, the importance of using, understanding of the scope of practice as a sports nutritionist, and how to refer to allied health specialists. It also delves into why clients with PCOS or Endometriosis are out of scope and require further clinical training, and explore considerations around claims of poor gut health vs actual contraindicated diagnosed gut health pathologies
In this unit, we look at both performance and general health supplements and other ergogenic aids, and explore well ranking position statements around these from well ranking journals. This module will also look at Energy Availability and the symptoms associated with RED-S
The research unit covers the hierarchy of evidence, how to apply critical thinking to evidence, an understanding of the limitations of nutrition science and the implications this may have when communicated on social media. This module will cover how to interpret and apply scientific research into practice as a Sports Nutritionist
Applied Body Composition covers sustainable coaching application, an understanding of obesity and why weight loss may stall for some clients. This unit focuses on ensuring that the student can effectively apply an evidence informed manner with nutritional program for; weight management, weight loss, weight gain, and long term body recomposition case study scenarios.
The Applied Performance Nutrition Unit covers principles and models for performance nutrition methods, considerations which may be made for strength and physique clients, considerations for weight making and post season nutrition strategies, considerations & models for team sport athletes, and considerations for strength, endurance and CrossFit athletes. This unit covers the application of these concepts, ensuring a sound foundational competence in applying the theory.
This unit covers the Sports Nutrition Service provision model. Where to start, depending on career goals, and what phase of service provision experience they are in. Learn about financial and taxation literacy, fundamental Sports Nutrition business and service provision operations. We also cover transitioning from face to face with the sports nutrition model, provide real world lessons around social media and how to use motivational interviewing to ensure every Sports Nutritionist is able to deliver sound services, and effectively coach clients to successful outcomes.
Featuring Lectures By
- Dr Gary Mendoza
Phd, BSc, (Hons), RNutr - Dr Joe Klemczweski
PhD - Dr Shawn Arent
PhD, CSCS’D, FISSN, FACSM, FNAK - Laurin Conlin
B.S, MSc - Dr Zoya Huschtscha
APD, AdvSD - Dr Eric Trexler
PhD
- Dr Cliff Harvey
PhD, DipFit, DipNat
- Danny Lennon
MSc
- Dr Eric Helms
PhD, CSCS
- Dr Gabrielle Fundaro
PhD, CISSN, CHC
- Dr Cameron McDonald
Phd, RD
- Jono Steedman
B.Sc. ExSci, MSc, RD
- Matthew White
BSc & Lead Assessor - Alex Thomas
Founder & President, PGd. Perform. Nutrition - Tyarra Nelso
B.Sc. ExSci, MSc, RD - Dr Reid Reale
Phd, APD/RD - Chris Teasdale
B.Sc. ExSci
Interesting in becoming a Certified Sports Nutritionist? Enquire about enrolling today.
The Roadmap To A Certificate In Applied Sports Nutrition
What Being Registered & Insured Looks Like
Casual Member
Range: $1k to $25k Mean: $10,000 Median: $5,500 (Under 5 Hours)
Part Time Member
Range: $25k to $125k Mean: $44,000 Median: $25,000 (7 to 12 Hours)
Full Time Member
Range: $50k to $600k Mean: $155,000 Median: $158,000 (Over 20 Hours)
Choose From Flexible Payment Options
Starting At $4350 (Prices In AUD)
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7 x Monthly Payments
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$5103 total (AU)
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~$5600 (NZ)
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~$3500 (US)
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18 x Monthly Payments
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$6192 total (AU)
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~$6700 (NZ)
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~$4200 (US)
Enquire About Enrolling In The Certificate
Certificate FAQs
The course is self-paced in that there are no set lecture times or workshops to attend. All lectures are on-demand in our learning platform to go through at a convenient time for you to study.
We recommend 4 – 12+ hours of study per week depending on prior experience.
The course is delivered entirely online with optional zoom workshops delivered by the assessment team when getting close to assessment submission dates.
Personally Assigned Assessor Support – You will have your own personally assigned assessor
Support from Industry Experts – All assessors are degree qualified, Openly Accredited professional members who have completed the program
Real World Support – to start practicing with clients. All of our assessors are Permanent Part-Time employees who are currently practicing successfully with clients. They do to give back and believe in the Association’s vision & mission. They aren’t people who need a job and couldn’t cut it in private practice
No, but if you have not attended a sports science university program then additional texts and units are required so that you understand the basic applied sciences.
If you are a non-native English speaking person we recommend an IELTS score of 5.5 as a minimum to ensure that you will be able to comprehend and effectively learn the scientific language used to deliver the certificate.
Upon completion you will be eligible to register as an Accredited Sports Nutritionist (see registration and insurance page for further information). As a registered Accredited Sports Nutritionist you are now eligible to take out sports nutritionist specific insurance coverage which our members receive a substantial discount.
These services includes calorie targets and adjustments, macronutrient targets, meal plans, supplementation, weight management and sports performance protocols, and online check-ins and services.