Health and Wellness Practitioner Certificate
Online certificate program
Develop the knowledge and practical skills to evaluate today's most important health and wellness topics — including metabolism, GLP-1 therapies, physical activity, nutrition, and the gut microbiome — and apply them through personalized, evidence-based health strategies.
7 months, excluding orientation
Approximately 11 hours per week
Entirely online with weekly modules and flexible learning
Multiple payment options
The future of integrated health starts here
As nutrition science, microbiome research, exercise physiology, and weight management treatments continue to evolve, professionals need the knowledge to interpret emerging evidence and translate it into practical recommendations. This program provides an integrated understanding of today's most influential health topics, including GLP-1 therapies, to help support evidence-based decision making.
On completion of this program,
you’ll walk away with:
An updated, practical portfolio
Develop client-facing deliverables including a Capstone Diet and Eating Plan, Individualized Training Program Modifications, and a personalized Health Management Plan.
An integrated health framework
Evaluate nutrition, microbiome health, physical activity, metabolism, and weight management using an evidence-based framework.
Modern scientific literacy
Build confidence interpreting current research on GLP-1 therapies, appetite regulation, metabolic health, and contemporary weight management.
Stanford Medicine connections
Engage with Stanford Medicine faculty and earn a Stanford Medicine certificate while connecting with healthcare professionals from around the world.
This program is ideally suited for:
Medical and allied health professionals including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, dietitians, pharmacists, nutritionists, public health professionals, and other licensed clinicians who want to strengthen their understanding of nutrition, metabolic health, exercise physiology, the gut microbiome, and GLP-1 therapies.
Wellness and fitness professionals including health and wellness coaches, personal trainers, athletic trainers, physical therapists, yoga and pilates instructors, and other exercise professionals who want to incorporate evidence-based nutrition and modern weight management principles into their practice.
Nutrition practitioners and wellness entrepreneurs who are building products, services, or businesses in the health and wellness space and are seeking a science-backed framework to inform client programs, product development, and business strategy.
Professionals transitioning into health and wellness roles who are committed to developing practitioner-level knowledge and practical skills before moving into nutrition coaching, health coaching, wellness consulting, functional nutrition, or other health-focused careers.
Program curriculum
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Meet your Academic Directors
Christopher Gardner
Director of Nutrition Studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, Lead Academic Director for the Stanford Medicine Health and Wellness Practitioner Certificate
Dr. Christopher Gardner is a Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and is internationally recognized for his research in nutrition and obesity, particularly through human randomized clinical trials. He earned his Ph.D. in Nutrition Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and serves as a member of the Cardiovascular Institute, Maternal and Child Health Research Institute, Stanford Cancer Institute, a Faculty Fellow of Stanford ChEM-H, and an Affiliate of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment.
Erica Sonnenburg
Senior Research Scientist, Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University
Dr. Erica Sonnenburg studies how diet influences the human intestinal microbiota and its impact on immune, metabolic, and overall health. She earned a BS in Biochemistry from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from UC San Diego. A published researcher and co-author of The Good Gut, her work focuses on translating microbiome science into a deeper understanding of long-term health.
Justin L. Sonnenburg
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University
Dr. Justin L. Sonnenburg is a leading researcher studying the relationship between the human body and the gut microbiota. After earning a BS in Biochemistry from UC Davis and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from UC San Diego, he has received numerous honors, including the NIH Director's Pioneer Award and New Innovator Award. He is also co-author of The Good Gut: Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood, and Your Long-Term Health.
Anne Friedlander
Adjunct Professor, Program in Human Biology, Stanford University
Dr. Anne Friedlander specializes in exercise physiology, human performance, environmental physiology, and healthy aging. She has spent decades teaching diverse audiences and translating exercise science into practical applications that improve health and mobility. In addition to her academic work, she consults with fitness and wellness companies developing innovative exercise products and programs.
Dalia Perelman
Research Dietitian, Stanford University
Dalia Perelman's research combines nutrition science with clinical practice to better understand metabolic health and chronic disease risk. Her work explores individualized responses to nutrition, continuous glucose monitoring, dietary interventions, weight management, and GLP-1 receptor agonists. She is dedicated to translating complex scientific research into practical, evidence-based strategies that support sustainable, long-term health.
“Many people come to this topic interested in weight loss or new therapies like GLP-1 medications. In this course, we explore those areas while also going deeper, examining the biological, behavioral, and lifestyle factors that shape metabolic health. Our goal is to help learners move beyond the number on the scale and develop a more complete, practical, and sustainable approach to improving their health."
– Dalia Perelman | Research Dietitian, Stanford University
Upon successful completion of the program, you'll receive a digital certificate of completion from Stanford Medicine.
This is an educational certificate program and does not provide a clinical credential or license to practice.
About GetSmarter
GetSmarter delivers online education from world-leading universities and institutions to transform the lives of thousands of students across the globe. GetSmarter’s online certificate courses are designed to advance your career and fit in with your busy lifestyle. Each course is expert-led, fully supported and community-based, helping you build career-critical skills. GetSmarter is owned by 2U.
An online education that sets you apart
This online short course from Stanford Medicine is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter. Join a growing community of global professionals and benefit from the opportunity to:
Attend a rigorous, cohort-based online learning experience that features expert-led content, a live session, and opportunities to expand your global network.
Enjoy a personalized, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step.
Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones.
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