Self-Assessment: Is the “Certified Nutritionist” course right for me?

What do registered dietitians, nutrition therapists, and certified nutrition coaches do? What is their day-to-day work like?

Nutrition coaches help healthy people better understand their eating habits and incorporate a balanced diet into their daily lives. They provide information about foods, how to prepare and store them, and advise people of all ages on topics such as healthy eating, sports nutrition, weight management, nutritional needs, and exercise.

State-certified nutritionists with a degree in nutrition and dietetics also provide counseling to people with chronic illnesses, metabolic disorders, or eating disorders. They work, for example, in hospitals, doctors’ offices, or long-term care facilities, and coordinate nutritional therapy with medical professionals as needed. During one-on-one consultations, they analyze each person’s individual situation, explain the connections between nutrition and health, and support clients with meal plans, recipes, and practical recommendations for incorporating these into their daily lives.

Target Audience and Skills: Who is the nutritionist training program designed for? What qualities and skills are required?

The nutritionist training program, which leads to a “school-issued certificate,” is designed for the following target group:

• People who work in therapeutic or counseling professions
• Healthcare professionals, as well as those in naturopathic or special education professions
• Employees in housekeeping, the food service industry, health food stores, and drugstores, as well as in the sports and wellness sectors
• Parents, teachers, early childhood educators, and individuals personally interested in healthy eating

To be successful as a certified nutritionist, the following skills and personal qualities are desirable:

• Enjoy dealing with people
• Empathy and the ability to listen
• Sensitivity and Precision
• Good manners
• Service Orientation
• Desire to share knowledge
• A desire and willingness to engage in regular professional development in order to incorporate the latest scientific and research findings into consulting work.

Requirements for admission to the dietitian training program:

There are generally no restrictions or prerequisites for admission to a nutritionist training program; in other words, no specific prior education or work experience is required. Some providers require vocational education and training or a high school diploma, a minimum age of 18, and a good command of German (at least level B2).

Good to know about potential recognition:

Although at the legislative level (KVV Art. 50a, para. 1, subpara. a) Although there are clear regulations regarding who qualifies as a recognized dietitian, there are still many providers with similar job titles (such as nutrition coach, nutrition trainer, etc.). To distinguish oneself from such “lay advisors,” it is important to provide appropriate evidence of one’s professionalism and expertise.

This is typically done by registering with ASCA and/or EMR and/or through membership in an association.

• Only professionals recognized by law are eligible for membership in the Swiss Association of Dietitians. For details, please seehere.
• For inclusion in the ASCA registry (Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine), the following are required for the “TEN Nutritional Counseling,” “TCM Nutritional Counseling,” and “AVM Nutritional Counseling,” 150 hours of basic conventional medical training are required, as well as an additional 300 hours of advanced conventional medical study.
• Additional guidelines also apply to admission to the EMR Registry (Registry of Empirical Medicine); specifically, applicants must be able to demonstrate 340 hours of basic training (in conventional medicine) (as of March 2024).

Input: Why is it important to register with the ASCA and/or EMR registry?

Both ASCA and EMR are quality certifications for practices in complementary medicine. Both maintain a so-called “list of methods,” which specifies the number of hours of basic medical training and specialized training (method) that must be completed in order to register with ASCA and/or the EMR.

Many health insurance companies base their decisions on ASCA and EMR. This means that therapists who are registered with ASCA and/or EMR can often work under health insurance coverage. But be careful! This is not always the case.

As a result, more and more health insurance companies are requiring an industry certification or a federal diploma from professional organizations (OdA AM, OdA KT, OdA MM, ODA ARTECURA, Swiss Federation of Osteopaths FSO-SVO) in order to be recognized by health insurance companies. This trend is expected to continue to grow in the future.

Subject matter and content of continuing education, further training

Schools that offer specialized training to become a nutritionist, leading to a “school-issued certificate,” design their own curriculum. The course content may therefore vary from school to school.

The following topics are often covered:

• Fundamentals of Nutrition
• Fundamentals of Nutritional Pathology
• Fundamentals of Food Science (Nutrients, Food Components, etc.)
• Overview of the Digestive System, Metabolism, and Biochemistry
• Psychology and psychosomatics
• Nutrition Across Different Life Stages
• Types of diets, fasting, veganism, etc.
• Medical history and diagnostics
• Practical Counseling

Note: Courses whose curriculum also includes “Fundamentals of Medicine” (a prerequisite for inclusion in the ASCA and/or EMR registries) generally cover this material in a separate module.

Tip: If you select "Yes," you'll receive helpful guidance on the question: How do I find the right school and course?

Costs and financing of continuing education, further training

The cost of training to become a dietitian is set independently by each school. Therefore, it varies from school to school.

You should expect the following costs for a part-time specialized training program (i.e., a course that does not include medical fundamentals) lasting approximately 7–12 months:

• Course fees: Between CHF 1,463 and CHF 5,750; this usually also includes theExamination feeincluded.
• Some providers requireExtra costsfor
  • Teaching aids
  • Training materials, etc.

Please check directly with the provider of your choice regarding any possible additional costs.

Program Structure, Program Duration, Program Options, Instructional Format, and Time Commitment

• Structure:The nutritionist training program is generally designed to be completed while working and is structured in modules. 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 schedule.
• Duration:The duration of specialized certification courses in nutritional counseling varies widely and depends, among other things, on the provider, the program, and the level of the course: As a rule, the courses last approximately seven to twelve months.
• Variants:Classes are held on different days depending on the school. Some courses, for example, consist of one full day per week, while others consist of two half-days or evenings per week, or—in the intensive format—two full days per week. Depending on the program, lessons may also take place on Saturdays. Given the wide variety of options available, it is therefore recommended that you contact the provider of your choice directly to inquire about course dates.
• Class Formats:The dietitian training program generally takes place in person. However, many schools also offer online formats, such as blended learning, hybrid learning, and online classes. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to learn about the available class formats and get advice.
  Are you having trouble keeping track of the different types of classes?This pagehelps you see the big picture.
• Effort:You should set aside enough time for lesson preparation and follow-up, as well as for self-study—how much depends on your prior knowledge, work style, and learning pace. To be on the safe side, we recommend setting aside at least 4–6 hours per week.

Degree, diploma and title

The modular structure of most nutritionist training programs means that each module is completed individually.

Anyone who has successfully completed all modules may take the final exam to earn the school's own certificate.

As a rule, the final exam consists of a theoretical and a practical portion.

However, at some institutions, an attendance rate of at least 80% is sufficient to earn the school's own certificate.

Diploma and title

Successful graduates receive a certificate or diploma issued by the respective school: “Nutritionist [Name of School]” or “Certified Nutritionist [Name of School]”