Self-test: Is the "Nutritionist (Certified)" course the right one for me?
Take our free, no-obligation self-test to find out whether working as a nutritionist (certified) meets your expectations and whether you are on the right path with the appropriate specialist training leading to a "school certificate".
Your advantages: In the self-test, you will receive further information that is tailored to the respective answer options "Yes", "Partly", "No". The result at the end of the self-test will also provide you with an overview of suitable providers with courses in the field of "Nutritional counseling (certified)". You will also benefit from helpful tips on finding the right school.
What do nutritionists / nutrition therapists and nutrition coaches (certified) do? What does their day-to-day work look like?
Nutrition coaches help healthy people to become aware of their eating habits and needs and provide information about food, preparation and storage. They advise young and older people, athletes on questions of physical performance, sensible measures for weight reduction, nutrient requirements and food supplements or physical exercise.
Nutritionists and nutritional therapists also advise people with chronic illnesses, organic disorders or eating disorders in collaboration with doctors, hospitals or nursing homes. In personal consultations, they clarify the personal situation of those affected, show them the links between nutrition and the illness or disorder and support the implementation of agreed measures in everyday life with menu plans, recipes and practical tips.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a nutritionist / nutrition therapist / nutrition coach?
Great!
If you don't like all the activities, think about which individual tasks don't appeal to you and see if there are other job profiles in which you like the distribution of tasks better. Here are some further training opportunities in similar areas for comparison:
- Consultant (Cert.)
- Coaching (Cert.)
- Life Counselor (Cert.)
- Learning consultant / learning coach (certified)
- Counselor in the psychosocial field (HFP)
- Nutritional Counseling Bachelor (FH)
Or take a look at various job advertisements. Perhaps you will find ones that only require the activities that interest you the most. If so, you are on the right track with this further training.
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other training opportunities. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Are you still looking for your vocation? OurGuide "Finding your own calling"can support you in this.
Target group and skills: Who is the nutritionist training course suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The nutritionist training course with a "school certificate" is aimed at the following target group:
- People who work in a therapeutic or counseling profession
- Professionals from the healthcare, naturopathic or curative education professions
- Employees in housekeeping, gastronomy, health food stores and drugstores, in the sports or wellness sector
- Parents, teachers, educators and people with a personal interest in healthy eating
The following skills and personal characteristics are desirable in order to work successfully as a nutritionist (certified):
- Enjoy dealing with people
- Empathy and ability to listen
- Sensitivity and precision
- Good manners
- Service orientation
- Desire to pass on knowledge
- Interest and initiative to undergo regular further training in order to incorporate the latest findings from science and research into the consulting process.
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great! To the next step in the self-test.
- Are you already self-employed and have a broad and in-depth knowledge of nutrition? Would you like to treat people therapeutically who have complaints and/or suffer from an illness? Then you probably belong to the target group for the following qualifications:
- Industry certificate OdA AM in TEN (Traditional European Naturopathy) / TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) or AVM (Ayurvedic Medicine)
- Naturopath with federal diploma (HFP)
- With vocational baccalaureate:Nutritionist FH
- Would you like to specialize in a particular area? For example: nutrition and sport, nutrition and ageing or dietetics? Then take a look around for appropriate specialization courses.
- If you don't have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you won't be happy in this role. Look out for training opportunities that offer a technical specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Requirements for admission to the nutritionist training course:
In principle, there are no restrictions or prerequisites for admission to a nutritionist training course, i.e. no specific previous education or professional experience is required. Some providers require basic vocational training or a high school diploma, a minimum age of 18 years and a good knowledge of German (at least level B2).
Good to know about possible recognition:
Although at a legal level (KVV Art. 50a, no. 1, let. a) is clearly regulated as to who is considered a recognized nutritionist, there are still many providers with a similar job title (e.g. nutrition coach / nutrition trainer etc.). In order to distinguish yourself from such "lay consultants", it is important to provide appropriate proof of your own seriousness and professional competence.
This is usually done by registering with the ASCA and/or the EMR and/or by becoming a member of an association.
- Only legally recognized specialists are admitted to the Swiss Association of Nutritionists. Details can be foundhere.
- To be included in the ASCA register (Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine), 150 hours of basic training in conventional medicine and an additional 300 hours of in-depth training in conventional medicine are required for the methods "TEN nutritional counseling", "TCM nutritional counseling" and "AVM nutritional counseling".
- Supplementary guidelines also apply for inclusion in the EMR register (empirical medicine register); for example, 340 hours of basic training (conventional medical knowledge) must be demonstrated (as of March 2024).
Input: Why is registration in the ASCA and/or EMR registry important?
Both the ASCA and the EMR are quality labels for activities in complementary medicine. They both maintain a so-called list of methods, which specifies how many hours of basic medical training and specialist training (method) must be completed in order to be registered with the ASCA and/or the EMR.
Many health insurance companies are based on the ASCA and EMR. This means that therapists who are registered with the ASCA and/or the EMR can often work with health insurance companies. But beware! This is not always the case.
More and more health insurance companies are demanding an industry certificate or a federal diploma from professional organizations (OdA AM, OdA KT, OdA MM, ODA ARTECURA, Swiss Association of Osteopaths FSO-SVO) in order to be able to work in a way that is recognized by health insurance companies. This will continue to increase in the future.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for approval? For possible recognition: With the association? With the ASCA / EMR?
Great! Now for the next question...
- If you are not sure whether your German language skills are sufficient for the nutritionist training course, then take aPlacement test.. If your language skills are not sufficient, you will findheresuitable training courses. You can contact the appropriate schools directly via the inquiry form free of charge and without obligation and receive detailed information on the respective course and can ask your questions.
- If you lack the required basic medical hours to be placed on the ASCA and/or EMR registry, then make them up.Hereyou will find corresponding offers and suitable providers.
- If you do not yet have the OdA AM industry certificate, find out morehere.
- If you are not sure whether your German language skills are sufficient for the nutritionist training course, then take aPlacement test. If your language skills are not sufficient, you will findheresuitable training courses. You can contact the appropriate schools directly via the inquiry form free of charge and without obligation and receive detailed information on the respective course and can ask your questions.
- If you lack the required basic medical hours to be placed on the ASCA and/or EMR registry, then make them up.Hereyou will find corresponding offers and suitable providers.
- If you do not yet have the OdA AM industry certificate, find out morehere.
Subject matter and content of the training
Schools that offer specialist training to become a nutritionist with a "school certificate" compile their own course content. The subject matter can therefore vary from school to school.
The following topics are often covered:
- Fundamentals of dietetics
- Basics of nutritional pathology
- Basics of food science (nutrients, food components, etc.)
- Overview of the digestive system, metabolism, biochemistry
- Psychology and psychosomatics
- Nutrition in different life cycles
- Diets, fasting, veganism, etc.
- Medical history and diagnostics
- Advice in practice
Note: Courses that also include the "Medical Basics" (as a prerequisite for admission to the ASCA and/or EMR register) usually deal with these in a separate module.
Tip: In the yes-answer you will receive suitable help on the question: How do I find the right school and course?
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
Are you explicitly interested in the "Medical Basics"?Hereyou will find suitable offers.
Note:As already mentioned, schools with nutritionist training leading to a "school certificate" determine the learning content independently.
It is therefore advisable to compare the offers with each other. You can find the following assistance on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch:
- Evaluation tool with numerousEvaluations from former course participantsto various courses.
- Guide "How to choose the right education provider": Here you will find, among other things, a checklist with points that you can use to compare schools with each other.Hereyou can download the guide.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the nutritionist training course, take a look at other training and further education courses in related areas. You may find a course that suits you better.
For example:
- Work with the elderly / gerontology (cert.)
- Ayurveda (Cert.)
- Consultant (Cert.)
- Health coach (cert.)
- Complementary therapist (certified)
- Medical Practice Coordinator
- Naturopath / Naturopath (certified)
- Herbal medicine / phytotherapy (cert.)
- Social pedagogue (HF)
- Sports therapist (certified)
- Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM (Certified)
You are mainly interested in the topics relating to the "Medical basics"? Here you will find suitable offers.
Obviously the typical subject areas of nutritionist training are not your thing. Take a look at other training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs for nutritionist training are determined independently by the schools. They therefore vary from school to school.
You should expect the following costs for a part-time specialist training course (i.e. course excluding medical basics) of around 7-12 months:
- Course feesBetween CHF 1463.- and CHF 5750.-, as a rule this also includes theExamination feeincluded.
- Some providers requireExtra costsfor
- Teaching aids
- Training documents etc.
Please contact the provider of your choice directly for information on possible extra costs.
Question 5:
Are you able to pay for the course?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
- Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Course structure, duration of study, training options, teaching format and learning effort
- Structure:The nutritionist training course is generally designed to be completed alongside work and has a modular structure. This means that each module is taken and completed individually. This makes it possible to progress at your own pace and according to your own abilities.
- Duration:The duration of the specialist certification courses in nutritional counseling varies greatly and depends on the provider, the course offered and the level: As a rule, the courses last around seven to twelve months.
- Variants:The lessons take place on different days depending on the school. There are courses in which the lessons take place on one working day per week (full day), for example, in others on two half days or evenings per week or in the intensive variant on two full days per week. Depending on the course, lessons may also take place on Saturdays. Due to the large number of possible variants, it is therefore advisable to find out about the course dates directly from the provider of your choice.
- Teaching formats:Nutritionist training generally takes place in face-to-face classes. However, many schools also offer online formats, such as blended learning, hybrid and online teaching. Please enquire directly with the provider of your choice about the teaching formats and seek advice.
Do you no longer have an overview of the different forms of teaching?This pagehelps you to see the big picture. - Expenditure:You should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and self-study time - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: It often helps to organize yourself into study groups. It also makes sense to stick with it right from the start and schedule fixed study times. Good learning effects can be achieved by creating summaries and mind maps. Flashcard systems help with memorization. There are many tools and ideas to make learning easier. You can obtain the guide "The personal learning strategy" free of charge if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
If you do not have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the training over more than the specified course duration.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
The modular structure of most nutritionist training courses means that each module is completed individually.
Those who have successfully completed all modules can sit the final examination for the "school's own certificate".
As a rule, the final examination consists of a theoretical and a practical part.
With some providers, however, a course attendance of at least 80% is sufficient to obtain the school's own certificate.
Diploma and title
Successful graduates receive a school certificate / diploma from the respective school: "Nutritionist [name of school]" or "Graduate nutritionist [name of school]".
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the nutritionist training course?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident about passing the final exam but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
No, the nutritionist training program does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Nutritionist training is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: the nutritionist training does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't suit you or doesn't fit well in terms of organization?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Further training as a nutritionist is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you can find out more about further training and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools: