General Questions
What type of school is the Wellness Forum Institute?
The Wellness Forum Institute is categorized as a post-secondary career college. Our school is registered with and authorized to offer diplomas and certificate programs by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools.
What is a diploma program? And what is a certificate course?
Certificate courses are shorter programs that can be completed in one term, and diploma programs are longer and take two or more terms to complete.
Will I have to come to Columbus in order to take these classes?
Most of the classes are taught via “virtual classroom,” or interactive teleconference call. You will be given a conference call number and passcode that allows you to enter the classes. You will need to be able to make long distance calls from your phone and also to enter passcodes on your keypad in order to participate.
A few classes include online video lectures that supplement live instruction. These videos are posted on a passcode-protected site which you will be able to access while you are enrolled in the course.
Courses involving manual training require that you travel to Columbus or another location for part of your training.
The method of delivery for each course is included in the catalog for each program.
Can foreign students enroll?
Yes they can, and students from all over the world have completed our courses.
What happens if I miss a class?
Classes delivered via “virtual classroom” are recorded and the recordings are available for 4 weeks after the class takes place. This allows you to listen to classes again or make up classes you miss.
Does tuition include books?
Tuition does not include books; you will need to purchase those separately.
Do you offer student loans, grants, or finance plans?
We do not, but we do accept payment via credit card. We will allow students to make payments for tuition, as long as the bill is paid in full by the end of each semester.
Questions About the Diet and Lifestyle Intervention Course
What are the qualifications for taking this course?
While the course appeals to doctors, nurses, dietitians and other health professionals who are interested in using diet and lifestyle as primary intervention tools, the course is open to anyone who wants to take it. Consumers who just want to learn more about health are welcome to enroll.
Do I have to read all of the books listed in the catalog during the course?
You do not need to read all of the books before each class or need to have read them by the end of the class series. You will receive a longer list of books before the class starts that included those in the catalog, and the purpose of this list is to provide guidance for building a library of your own to reference in the future.
How much homework will I be expected to do?
There is no homework assigned weekly for this course. A final project is assigned at the end of the class series, and you will have 6 weeks to complete it. By the end of the course, you will have the knowledge required for finishing this project.
Questions About the Nutrition Educator Program
What are the requirements for enrollment?
You must have at least a high school education, and you will be required to provide either your high school transcript or a transcript reflecting your post-graduate education.
Do I have to take the classes in order?
While some classes are clearly sequenced (for example, you cannot take Chemistry II before taking Chemistry I), the other classes do not have to be taken in any particular order.
Can I take classes part time?
Yes you can. You can take just one class per semester or all of those that are offered. There is no penalty for being a part-time student.
What if I do not want to earn the diploma and just want to take one class?
You are welcome to take just one class if you choose.
Do you ever give credit for basic science classes taken through other schools?
We do in some situations, but only when we are sure that doing so will not place the student at a disadvantage in other Nutrition Educator courses. It’s best to schedule a time to discuss your specific situation with us by phone.
How is this program different than other educational programs for nutritionists?
There are dozens of education programs focused on nutrition, and the one you choose should be based on your professional goals. People who want to work in medical institutions, hospitals, nursing homes, school food service departments and other such organizations should pursue a degree in dietetics.
Many people, however, are interested in pursuing alternative education because they disagree with the underlying philosophy of traditional dietetics. The problem is that many alternative nutrition training programs do not include enough science courses, such as chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, anatomy, and statistics. Many of them do not require that students learn how to do research, write papers, and complete complex projects. Many lack cohesive underlying philosophies. Most do not include live and structured education, and most do not offer classes that result in the development of sharp clinical skills.
The Wellness Forum Institute, however, addresses all of these issues. Students receive rigorous training in the basic sciences, complete two semesters of graduate-level statistics, are required to conduct research, write papers and complete projects, and instruction is both live and structured.
If I have not been in school for a very long time, will I be able to succeed in this program?
Most of our students are adults, many of whom have not taken higher education classes for a very long time, and many of whom have jobs completely outside the healthcare field. We work hard to recruit faculty members who are highly regarded in their field of study, and are also highly skilled teachers committed to the success of adults who are going back to school after a long time away from formal education.
How will I communicate with my teachers?
You can email your teachers at any time; you can ask questions in class; and teachers are happy to speak with you by phone at any time too.
What will happen if I need extra help in some of the classes?
Teachers will provide as much help as possible to students via email and private conversations. They notify school staff if it appears that students need tutoring or remedial courses in order to pass.
Do these courses transfer to a 4-year university?
While there are exceptions, generally the answer is no.
What will I be able to do with my education? How will I make money in this field?
There are many services graduates will be trained to offer, including:
- Developing and delivering educational programs about nutrition and health for individuals and groups
- Nutritional counseling
- Preparing meals and/or meal plans for many types of people, including those with health conditions and special circumstances
- Writing health and nutrition-related articles for publications
- Developing innovative recipes; developing and teaching cooking classes
- Conducting weight loss classes and programs
- Serving as a health consultant to individuals and groups
Note: Scope of practice for nutrition professionals varies by state. Students are required to take a course on this topic as part of this program, during which they are taught how to determine their legal scope based on residence.
I am required to complete 200 hours of practical experience. How will I find the businesses or other institutions in which to do this?
We will provide you with a list of the types of businesses, practitioners, and institutions that would be best for completing the practical experience module. You will be responsible for contacting these places, but we will provide letters of recommendation and also speak with interested parties to answer questions and help to place you. Some activities can be done under the direction of Institute faculty members and staff members who work for our parent healthcare company.