Program FAQ

Natural Nutrition Diploma Program

Frequently Asked Questions

CSNN is proudly celebrating 30 years of operation and over 12,000 graduates.

You’ve come to the right place! You can find answers about the Natural Nutrition Program in our list of frequently asked questions (FAQs). If you still have additional questions, please visit your preferred branch site and contact them.

Click here to learn more about Flexible Learning Formats. Contact your preferred branch if you have any questions.

1. What are the benefits of live online, hybrid, and in-person classroom instruction? Of online education studies?

There’s something for everyone. CSNN offers the Natural Nutrition program in these formats: Live Online, In-Person Classroom, Hybrid, and Self-Study Online. Each format has its own unique benefits. Students who enjoy learning in an environment with scheduled dates, tests, and assignment deadlines are advised to register with a classroom branch. Students who prefer learning at their own pace and creating their own personalized schedule are advised to register in online education studies.

Scheduled live study includes Live Online, In-Person, and Hybrid. Classes are 100% live and not pre-recorded videos.

The benefits of the scheduled live study format are as follows:
a. Instructor brings his/her experience and knowledge into the classroom
b. Students can ask questions of the instructor and receive an answer back on the spot
c. Students share their knowledge and experience in the industry and are a support network for each other
d. Set schedule for those who like structure
e. Case study practicals

The benefits of self-study online education study format include:
a. Detailed notes for online education students
b. Staff advisors to answer student questions
c. Chat group for online education students and graduates
d. Students create their own schedule

Regardless of format of study, students write the same board exam, earn the same diploma and designation, and gain the same holistic nutrition skills, and any differences in hours shown are due to different ministry reporting requirements.

2. What is different about our Natural Nutrition Program compared to other schools?

  • CSNN is the first school in the industry to offer in-class curriculum
  • All courses are essential to the study of holistic nutrition (no fillers)
  • Students are trained to be a practitioner, from assessing of clients, to making recommendations, to coaching them
  • CSNN offers all formats of study: In-Class, Live Online, and Self-Study Online. Students are able to transfer from one format to another if a format no longer works for them
  • CSNN branches offer payment plans
  • Some branches have provincial student funding

3. How long does it take to complete the Natural Nutrition program ?

In the classroom, the program can be completed in one year (full time), or two years (part time). Some classroom branches also offer accelerated options. Online education students are given two years to complete the program, but may finish sooner.

Regardless of the time length the student chooses, they write the same board exam, earn the same diploma and designation, and gain the same holistic nutrition skills.

4. What are practicals* and are they covered in the tuition cost?

a. In addition to regular classroom instruction in natural nutrition, each student completes a minimum of 50 hours of mandatory practicals, out of approximately 100 hours offered to students. The focus of the practicals is case study work including follow-up case studies. Practicals are run by qualified holistic nutrition professionals who have experience in the industry. Practicals provide the guidelines, instructions, and examples to successfully complete the 250 clinical hours.

b. Students also have the option of completing 14 hours of external practicals as part of the 50 required practical hours. Students gain industry experience in external practicals, which are offered independently of CSNN and take place at external venues.

c. Practicals are covered in the cost of classroom tuition.

*Please note: Some branches may use different terminology to refer to practicals, for example, practicums, workshops, co-requisites

5. What is the clinical component of the Natural Nutrition Program?

This is the required clinical component of the Natural Nutrition Program. These real-life case studies are basically practice client assessments, so that students gain experience before they graduate and have their own holistic nutrition practice.

During this application learning process (250 clinical hours), live case studies are very time consuming because students need to learn how to effectively work with the intake forms, identify all the relevant information that is part of the client’s main health concern, and then compile their food, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations. Each student is required to complete 10 live case studies including follow-up assessments, in order to be eligible to graduate.

6. What payment plans are available?

CSNN offers flexible payment plans, including a monthly payment plan and quarterly payment plan. For more information, please contact the branch of your choice.

7. When do classes start?

a. The classroom start dates vary depending on location, but are generally in Winter, Spring, and Fall of each year. Please contact your desired branch for more information.

The online education program may be started at any time.

8. Approximately, how many graduates from the Natural Nutrition program are there?

Approximately 12,000 graduates have earned CSNN’s exclusive designations. You can read some of their stories in our Alumni Profiles page.

9. Does CSNN provide job-search assistance?

Since our Graduates’ designations are the most recognized in the holistic nutrition industry, companies seek out CSNN Graduates to fill their employment opportunities. Job ads are posted in the classroom, on the graduate section of the website, and on Distance Education’s online chat group. CSNN’s Alumni Association, Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners (CANNP), and Canadian Association of Holistic Nutrition Professionals (CAHN-Pro) also provide job opportunities to their members.

10. Does CSNN provide tuition tax receipts?

Yes, CSNN provides tuition tax receipts to students.

11. Can I practice in the United States with the designation earned from CSNN?

Each state has its own laws in regard to practicing as a holistic nutrition professional, so students are advised to check which laws exist in their state. The National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) in the U.S. recognizes CSNN Graduates, once they have also completed the Advanced Holistic Nutrition workshops, AN106 and AN109. For more information about NANP, go to nanp.org.

12. Is CSNN’s Natural Nutrition Program registered/recognized?

a. In British Columbia, it is designated with the Private Training Institutions Branch of B.C. (PTIB)

b. In New Brunswick, it is legislated under the New Brunswick Private Occupational Training Act as a private career college

c. CSNN’s Natural Nutrition program is licensed under the Private Vocational Training Act (Alberta)

d. In Ontario, it is approved as a vocational program under the Ontario Career College Act, 2005

CSNN’s Natural Nutrition program is the most recognized and sought-after holistic nutrition program, with the most recognized professional designations in the industry. Our Natural Nutrition program is also recognized by the Canadian Association of Holistic Nutrition Professionals (CAHN-Pro), the Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners (CANNP), and by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) in the United States.