About Us
Hawthorn was founded in December 2002 as Hawthorn Health and Nutrition Institute upon approval from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, offering the Nutrition Consultant certificate program. The name of the institution was changed to Hawthorn University in 2007.
Hawthorn received approval to operate as a degree granting institution adding a Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition degree in 2004 and a Master of Science in Health and Nutrition Education in 2006. The Doctor of Science in Holistic Nutrition Education program offering an Ed.D. was also approved in 2006. In late 2008, the degree designation of Doctor of Education was changed to Doctor of Science in Holistic Nutrition to better reflect the goals and objectives of the program.
Hawthorn University offers online holistic health education and nutrition programs. We promote a respectful dialogue with health providers and present a broad discourse in the current scientific and alternative approaches to nutrition.
We currently offer the following programs:
Masters Degree Programs:
Master of Science in Health & Nutrition Education
Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition
Doctoral Program:
Doctor of Science in Holistic Nutrition
Certificate Program:
Nutrition Consultant Program
Students at Hawthorn University learn the principles of nutrition using the most up-to-date scientifically based information sources in the field. Our teaching model focuses on current holistic and conventional scientific information, utilizing guided independent study. Our programs emphasize critical thinking, teaching students to discern quality and accuracy of recent research.
Students in Hawthorn's programs are provided with nutritional tools that can be applied in everyday life to increase vitality, energy, and well-being while reducing long range disease risk. Professional development and personal vitality are nurtured as students are challenged to apply concepts while developing a sound understanding of the principles of nutrition. Students also develop tools that will serve in their professional nutrition careers. An emphasis in holism encourages personal as well as community health.
Students use online technologies, like discussion boards and collaborative technologies like telephone bridge conference calls to communicate with instructors and other students. Students are motivated and independent learners, who want a program the offers the flexibility of studying at their own pace and are inspired to build or expand careers in areas of natural health education, nutrition, and wellness.
The Doctor of Science in Holistic Nutrition is an interdisciplinary, non-clinical program which will allow you to work in the field as a health educator, or to complement your work as a health professional or researcher. This program focuses on the links between holistic nutrition and environmental sciences, politics, and how nutrition affects various organ systems. The program will provide you with a deep understanding of the field. Doctoral students participate in a developing tradition of thought, discussion, exploration, and inquiry in the field of study of nutrition, acquire a coherent and sophisticated body of knowledge in the field of nutrition and study an area of specialty in the field by undertaking new learning.
The Masters of Science in Health & Nutrition Education non-clinical degree is a guided independent study program designed for those who want to educate about holistic health, nutrition and wellness. Students learn effective communication techniques for developing and facilitating workshops on wellness and are poised to establish or join integrative health care centers and offer holistic health tools and nutrition education. Assignments are designed to engage and connect students with their local community. Learning progresses at the student's own pace. Students develop professional materials that explain nutritional and health concepts as part of the course work. Graduates will be able to educate consumers about health and nutrition needs and provide holistic tools and techniques to implement practical nutritional guidelines to support and maintain optimal health. Graduates who wish to run their own businesses can develop nutrition and lifestyle guidelines and advise clients on how to implement appropriate health management changes.
The Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition clinical degree is distinguished by an ongoing relationship with an instructor who has clinical expertise in an online program tailored to meet your schedule. The MSHN program provides students with in-depth knowledge, clinical nutritional skills, and functional medicine nutritional tools. Students are trained to address the biochemical uniqueness of their clients and to develop individual health protocols using diet, supplement, and lifestyle suggestions. Direct application of nutritional concepts is encouraged, making learning personally relevant.
The Nutrition Consultant clinical certificate program is comprehensive program designed for people without a bachelor's degree that want to work with individuals to support health and wellness. Studies are supportive, interactive, and rich with ongoing support from one-on-one teacher-student instructional consultations. Studies are personalized to challenge students' skill levels. Assignments are designed to engage and connect students with their own communities and to develop each student's unique skills and interests in health. Educational tools include audio lectures on CDs, books, journals, web sites, diet analysis software, teleclass meetings and message boards, hands on and community based assignments.
Hawthorn University is a proud member of the Better Business Bureau. Hawthorn meets all BBBOnline participation and Better Business Bureau accreditation standards and is authorized to display the BBB Accredited Business seal as of 01/14/2010 (accreditation) and 01/29/2010 (BBBOnline Standards).
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Hawthorn University is a branch of Bright Start Corporation, a not-for-profit public benefit corporation.