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After becoming an AFPA Certified Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Specialist, you'll be able to effectively:
Understand the individual and systemic factors of autoimmunity and the challenges faced by clients with autoimmunity
Understand the individual and systemic factors of autoimmunity and the challenges faced by clients with autoimmunity.
Understand the individual and systemic factors of autoimmunity and the challenges faced by clients with autoimmunity.
The most successful AFPA certified graduates are passionate and dedicated people who have been affected by chronic and autoimmune diseases themselves, or they know someone else who has complex health challenges.
“In 2017, I was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease that attacks my kidneys, lungs, skin, and joints. I knew there was a way to heal myself and feel better. Becoming AFPA certified has definitely elevated my life! I have learned an incredible amount of knowledge that I never knew about eating the foods that this wonderful earth has placed for us. I personally can make smarter and informed decisions about my health when visiting the doctors, too, and share with the community to do the same! I personally feel confident to make a difference in someone’s life. I am more credible to provide coaching and support to individuals looking to change their lives to a healthier and happier one.”
Equip yourself with the most current and evidence-based knowledge to maximize the impact you have on your clients who have or are at-risk for developing an autoimmune disease.
Why get the Certified Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Specialist Certification?
Getting certified provides more access for people with autoimmune disease to professionals dedicated to helping them live their best lives. You can help your clients reach their nutrition goals and progress towards their ideal lifestyle through strategies and approaches backed by science.
Steer your professional career the way you want it to go. Thanks to the diverse opportunities that come with this new certification, you have the freedom to select the hours you work, set your own rates, create your own packages, and choose the work environment that’s right for you.
Becoming AFPA certified gives you access to our continuously updated programs and insight from trusted professionals and holistic and integrative health leaders. AFPA is an industry pioneer in the health and wellness education space, having over 27+ years of certifying over 130,000+ students across 140+ countries
AFPA offers a number of flexible payment options that can help you finance your education according to what’s most convenient to you. Get instant approval for the available options for three, six, or twelve months of payment.
This program includes coursework and content that is curated and developed by a team of experts in functional medicine, personalized nutrition, and autoimmune integrative health. Over 350+ articles and research studies were reviewed, including published research from top universities.
Help your clients with autoimmune disease by becoming a Certified Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Specialist.
A look inside the curriculum
To become an AFPA Certified Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Specialist, it is recommended (but not required) that you hold at least one current certification in a health, wellness, nutrition, or fitness discipline (nutrition, wellness or health coaching, personal training, or similar) or have at least an undergraduate degree in a health or science related discipline. We also recommend that you have knowledge of health and wellness coaching strategies and practices.
Learn the latest statistics about autoimmune diseases and the challenges patients with autoimmune diseases often encounter. This module will show you how you can help patients in their journey to a nutrition-based lifestyle, alongside the advantages and opportunities that come with earning your certification.
This module focuses on understanding the role and parts of the immune system and how they function in the human body. Lessons include learning about the essentials of immune function, the factors that affect it, and understanding what autoimmunity is and how it happens.
Lessons in this module will tackle the different factors of autoimmunity, ranging from lifestyle to genetics, and learning how these factors influence a person’s susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.
You will be introduced to the most common autoimmune diseases you are likely to encounter with your clients such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, type I diabetes, fibromyalgia, dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus (SLE), psoriasis, Celiac disease, scleroderma, Sjogren's disease, Chrohn's disease (and IBS/IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), ankylosing spondylitis, and others. You will also explore autoimmune disease symptoms, risk factors, and treatment. This module will also cover how licensed healthcare professionals screen and conduct diagnostic testing for patients suspected to have an autoimmune disease.
This module covers nutritional approaches & strategies such as the use of micronutrients and supplementation, meal planning, and dietary patterns and protocols to provide the appropriate nutrients and supplements to your client’s everyday diets. You will also learn science-backed techniques in coaching and counseling your patient for their nutrition plan. .
Learn about different practices that your client can integrate into their overall nutrition plan to their overall lifestyle. Exercise, yoga, sleep, and nature exposure are some of the integrative lifestyle practices and approaches covered in this module
After completing all of the program modules and unit activities, you must score at least an 85% on a comprehensive, open-book, open-note final examination to be awarded your certification and title of Certified Autoimmune Nutrition Specialist.
In addition to the most up-to-date course content on holistic autoimmune health and nutrition, your private learning portal will also include dozens of beautifully designed handouts, reference guides, charts, and resource materials specifically designed to help you refer back to key information and educate your clients.
"At a relatively young age, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, Hashimoto's, acid reflux, and generalized anxiety disorder. I knew that I had to go deeper and not just "cover up" my ailments. I decided to pursue education to understand and get to the root cause of my ailments and get my health into my hands.. Now with my career, I am meeting new people, networking, guiding, and connecting with people in the hours that I create for myself! Becoming AFPA certified has opened so many doors for me. I started my own online coaching business, which has always been a dream of mine. This program taught me to implement these strategies with myself first, and now I am able to positively impact and influence others around me."
My passion for wellness increased after being diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases. The many challenges of my health journey opened my eyes to a health epidemic that’s just not going away. Millions of people are struggling like I was. Many people want to get healthier and have nowhere to turn. Most doctors don’t have the time to walk people through the healing process and the necessary lifestyle changes required to improve health. My certification from AFPA has positively impacted my career. Having the credentials to back up my knowledge helped me start my own business. The certification is especially powerful as there are not many others like it, and having the credentials from AFPA has helped me make my dream a reality.”
"At a relatively young age, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, Hashimoto's, acid reflux, and generalized anxiety disorder. I knew that I had to go deeper and not just "cover up" my ailments. I decided to pursue education to understand and get to the root cause of my ailments and get my health into my hands.. Now with my career, I am meeting new people, networking, guiding, and connecting with people in the hours that I create for myself! Becoming AFPA certified has opened so many doors for me. I started my own online coaching business, which has always been a dream of mine. This program taught me to implement these strategies with myself first, and now I am able to positively impact and influence others around me."
My passion for wellness increased after being diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases. The many challenges of my health journey opened my eyes to a health epidemic that’s just not going away. Millions of people are struggling like I was. Many people want to get healthier and have nowhere to turn. Most doctors don’t have the time to walk people through the healing process and the necessary lifestyle changes required to improve health. My certification from AFPA has positively impacted my career. Having the credentials to back up my knowledge helped me start my own business. The certification is especially powerful as there are not many others like it, and having the credentials from AFPA has helped me make my dream a reality.”
"At a relatively young age, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, Hashimoto's, acid reflux, and generalized anxiety disorder. I knew that I had to go deeper and not just "cover up" my ailments. I decided to pursue education to understand and get to the root cause of my ailments and get my health into my hands.. Now with my career, I am meeting new people, networking, guiding, and connecting with people in the hours that I create for myself! Becoming AFPA certified has opened so many doors for me. I started my own online coaching business, which has always been a dream of mine. This program taught me to implement these strategies with myself first, and now I am able to positively impact and influence others around me."
Accreditation & Continuing Education You Can Count On
The Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Specialist Certification program is approved by the National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches (NBC-HWCs) for a total of 15 CEs.
The Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Specialist Certification program is approved by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) for a total of 1.9 NASM CEUs.
The Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Specialist Certification program is approved by the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) for a total of 15 AFAA CEUs.
The Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Specialist Certification program is approved by American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA) for a total of 16 AFPA CECs.
Frequently Asked Questions
All quizzes, exams, and assignments are open-book, online, and can be completed when you’re ready. Each module concludes with a 20-50 question multiple-choice, true/false, and case study-based quiz. The final exam includes a mixture of 150 multiple-choice, true/false, matching, and fill-in-the-blank questions. Modules IV-VI also includes a case study that involves providing written responses to several questions. You must score at least an 85% on all quizzes and exams to pass. You may take a quiz as many times as you need to pass. If you don't pass the final exam on your first attempt, you can request a re-test for an additional fee.
You will get instant access to the course upon enrollment via your private online learning portal. All of the course materials are available for you to review, but you must complete your assignments and progress through the course in sequence with each module. You do not need to purchase any additional textbooks or materials.
The course content is vibrant, colorful, and modern. You'll progress through the course by watching video lectures, webinar recordings, reading articles and research papers, and reviewing a variety of different handouts, charts, tables, and practical resources. There are also case studies, discussion posts, quizzes, and a final exam.
The course is designed to provide you with flexibility and ample time to progress at a pace that is comfortable to you. The program can be completed in six months or less, allowing you to spend up to one month on each module. If you require additional time, you can request an extension for a one-time fee.
Yes, we offer a variety of flexible payment plans and options through Affirm and PayPal Credit. You can learn more about payment plans here.
Yes, you will need to complete at least 16 continuing education credits (CECs) every two years to maintain your certification. You can learn more about renewing your certification here.
To become an AFPA Certified Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Specialist, it is recommended (but not required) that you hold at least one current certification in a health, wellness, nutrition, or fitness discipline (nutrition, wellness or health coaching, personal training, or similar) or have at least an undergraduate degree in a health or science related discipline. We also recommend that you have knowledge of health and wellness coaching strategies and practices.
There are between 80-100+ known autoimmune diseases. In this program, we introduce you to the most common 20-30 autoimmune diseases that you are likely to encounter, along with some of the general dietary approaches and interventions that are likely to benefit your clients. Some examples include Hashimoto's thyroiditis, type I diabetes, fibromyalgia, dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus (SLE), psoriasis, Celiac disease, scleroderma, Sjogren's disease, Chrohn's disease (and IBS/IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), ankylosing spondylitis, and others.