Going to School to become a Nutritionist???

[Guest guest]

I understand that this is not a health question, so I hope it is permitted on

this group. I just need some advice and I'm having a hard time finding it. Your

thoughts would be appreciated...

I've thought long and hard on this and also gave it a lot of prayer. I've

decided to go to college to become a Master Herbalist/ Nutritionist, or

something of that sort. My problem is first that I'm not sure what schools to go

to, and secondly, I don't have the money for tuition. The cold hard reality is

that I've been looking for a job for a long time now, and so far I've not found

one.

Anyhow, there was one college that I looked into and I think it would be

perfect. http://www.naturalhealingcollege.com/. Its a 'work at your own pace'

online college. Because you do not have to mail in your tests, you can graduate

a lot sooner (as much as 3-4 months but could be up to a year), and their

tuition is a lot cheaper. I'm thinking I should take the master herbalist course

and the Doctorate of Holistic Science Course. With the Master Herbalist degree,

I can formulate my own herbal formulas/supplements/vitamins/etc and have a

manufacturer make them and sell them. I can open up my own health food

store/herbal pharmacy. I can open up my own clinic, or work at a clinic. I can

open my own spa, or work at one. I can give freelance health advice, I can

recommend herbs, nutrition, supplements and dietary changes, etc. etc. The

Doctorate of Holistic Science course is said to be more hands on work... and I

cannot take the course without first taking the Master Herbalist course. With

the Doctorate Of Holistic Science degree, I can do all that I can do with the

master herbalist degree, and more. I'm able to not only recommend herbs,

vitamins, supplements, exercise, and dietary changes, but I can prescribe them.

Then there are other colleges too... a lot of them are really expensive, and

they often make you buy your own books. I do want to check out the Clayten

College Of Natural Health and see what they offer.

Anyhow, this Natural Healing College has a special right now. The Master

Herbalist course is $999 instead of $1499 (the price it will be next month). And

if I buy it now, I'll save 10%. Then, if I get both courses (that's what I want

to do), its $1700 for both of them, instead of $3000 (the price it will be next

month). Plus, if I buy it now, I'll save 20% (meaning its only $1360 for both

courses). Problem is, I do not have the money and most loans charge a lot of

interest. They do not offer scholarships either, and most grants do not honour

these small colleges. And, as I've said I'm trying hard to find a job but so far

I've not come across one. And even if I did, I would have to work part time as I

need time to do my schooling.

So, I guess what I'm asking is this:

1. Do any of you guys know of any colleges that are the same or better as the

one I described above? I'd be interested in getting a scholarship if possible.

2. Do any of you guys know of a better way for me to get the money I need? I

checked out student credit cards... and its a great way to get it, I think. 0%

interest rate. However, if the money is not paid up in full by June of 2010 then

they put a 14.99% VARIABLE interest rate on it. I don't want to pay that.

3. Are there any grants, or anything like that... that will honour these small

colleges and give me some money?

4. The college I mentioned above was once 'accredited' by an organization that

no longer exists. This organization was shut down by Governor Schwarzenegger

because " an approval is not the same thing as a accreditation. " Soooo, one would

question whether the degree is worth as much as they say it is, even though the

college might be a great college. But I've checked into it, and most of these

smaller colleges are the same way, if not worse. It is much harder for them,

probably because they are less associated with the government. My dad says that

he thinks thats fine because a lot of people who want to be healthy... do not

like the way things are with the US government right now.

Thanks a lot!

~ Gadwa

Albany, NY