American College of Healthcare Sciences — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
American College of Healthcare Sciences
CNS Pathway
CNS (Certified Nutrition Specialist) Graduate Programs
36 programs · filtered from 687 in our database
The Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) is an MS-level clinical nutrition credential issued by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS). It is most commonly held by naturopathic physicians, integrative MDs, and clinical nutritionists working in functional medicine practices. Unlike the RD, the CNS pathway accepts any graduate degree in nutrition or related fields — not just ACEND-accredited ones.
Why this credential matters
The CNS is a credible clinical credential recognized in many states for nutrition counseling and insurance billing, particularly in functional and integrative medicine settings. It's the best option for practitioners who want clinical credibility without committing to the full RD dietetic internship track, and for clinicians adding nutrition expertise to an existing license.
Scope of practice & legal context
The CNS credential is recognized for clinical nutrition counseling in many states, particularly those with broad scope-of-practice laws for nutrition professionals. However, the CNS does NOT automatically qualify you for insurance billing the way the RD does — billing depends on your state's specific licensure laws and whether your insurance contract covers CNS practitioners.
States with restrictions: New York, Maine, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, North Dakota — these states have strict title-protection laws that may limit how CNS holders can represent themselves.
Before enrolling in a CNS pathway program, verify your target state's nutrition practice act. The BCNS website maintains a state-by-state guide. If insurance billing is critical to your business model, the RD is safer.
Entry-level
$50,000–$65,000
Median
$72,000
Experienced / private practice
$90,000–$130,000+
Estimated from BCNS practitioner surveys + integrative medicine clinic salary data. CNS practitioners in functional medicine private practice report the highest earnings. Employed CNS practitioners in clinical settings earn comparable to RDs. Data is less standardized than RD salary data because CNS is a smaller credential pool.
Editor's picks
Our top 3 in this category, chosen on accreditation credibility first, reputation second.
American University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
American University
Bastyr University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Bastyr University
All CNS Pathway programs (36)
Sorted with government-recognized accreditors first, then alphabetically.
American College of Healthcare Sciences — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
American College of Healthcare Sciences
American University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
American University
Bastyr University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Bastyr University
Columbia University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Columbia University
George Washington University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
George Washington University
Iowa State University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Iowa State University
Logan University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Logan University
Maryland University of Integrative Health — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Maryland University of Integrative Health
N ortheast College of Health Sciences — Schools Offering Courses on Non-Matriculated Basis
N ortheast College of Health Sciences
National University of Natural Medicine — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
National University of Natural Medicine
National University of Natural Medicine, MS in Nutrition — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
National University of Natural Medicine, MS in Nutrition
New York Institute of Technology — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
New York Institute of Technology
New York University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
New York University
Northeast College of Health Sciences — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Northeast College of Health Sciences
Northwestern Health Sciences University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Northwestern Health Sciences University
Nova Southeastern University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Nova Southeastern University
Parker University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Parker University
Rutgers University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Rutgers University
Saybrook University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Saybrook University
Sonoran University of Health Sciences — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Sonoran University of Health Sciences
UC Berkeley Extensio n — Schools Offering Courses on Non-Matriculated Basis
UC Berkeley Extensio n
UC San Diego Exten sion Studies — Schools Offering Courses on Non-Matriculated Basis
UC San Diego Exten sion Studies
University of Arizona — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
University of Arizona
University of Bridgeport — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
University of Bridgeport
University of Connecticut — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
University of Connecticut
University of Maryland — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
University of Maryland
University of Miami — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
University of Miami
University of New England — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
University of New England
University of Texas at Austin — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
University of Texas at Austin
University of Western States — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
University of Western States
Western Connecticut State University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Western Connecticut State University
Winthrop University — Nutrition Master’s Degrees
Winthrop University
Frequently asked questions
Is the CNS equivalent to the RD?
Not in most regulatory contexts. The RD is more broadly recognized by insurers and state licensure boards. The CNS is, however, accepted for insurance billing in some states (especially for integrative and functional medicine practices) and is widely respected in clinical nutrition.
What programs qualify for the CNS?
BCNS recognizes graduate-level coursework that meets specific content requirements. A regionally-accredited master's degree in nutrition is the most direct path. Some BCNS candidates also complete non-matriculated graduate coursework to meet specific competencies.
Do I need a clinical license?
No — the CNS stands on its own as a clinical nutrition credential. But many CNS holders are also licensed as NDs, MDs, NPs, or PAs.