The Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine has announced a collaboration with third-party certification company NSF for the School of Nutrition’s executive Master of Science in nutrition business leadership (MSNBL) program. The curriculum is designed exclusively for nutrition industry leaders and is the first-ever Master’s degree program with integrated regulatory compliance training.
 
The online degree program was developed with input from global natural products industry experts, and equips graduates with nutrition, business, and regulatory knowledge needed for organizations and careers. This collaboration pairs NSF’s expertise in global regulatory standards for the natural products industry with the School of Nutrition’s expertise in online education.
 
Entitled “The Food and Supplement Industry Policies and Regulations,” the course is a core component of the MSNBL curriculum. It provides students an in-depth understanding of the natural food and supplement industry policies and regulations including Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), preventive controls, and international standards. The class will be offered for the first time in the spring quarter beginning in May 2022.
 
“We are honored to collaborate with the remarkable team at NSF to create this important course for the already impactful MSNBL degree program,” said Dr. Gena E. Kadar, DC, MS MEdL, CNS, founding dean of SCNM’s School of Nutrition. “It is always exciting to see industry and academia converge in such a positive manner to benefit students. NSF literally sets the standard for quality, and their meaningful contribution to our curriculum helps us meet our commitment to prepare confident and competent evidence-based leaders who are ready to meet the unique and dynamic needs of the natural products industry.”
 
NSF provides certifications that help protect food, water, consumer products and the environment. In addition, the company offers testing and inspections, training and education, and standards development for public health, environment, and sustainability.

“The natural products industry is an exciting frontier. As a trusted expert in education on natural food and dietary supplement industry policies and regulations, we’re proud to play a part in developing global health leaders in this field,” said Casey Coy, senior manager, training and consulting, dietary supplements and cosmetics/personal care, NSF. “Working with SCNM to mold the minds of the nation’s brightest helps ensure the ethical standards-based future consumers deserve.”
 
The online degree is geared toward working professionals looking to advance their career and distinguish themselves in their field. The program trains individuals in the nutritional sciences, supply/value chain, regulations, and leadership and management—all specific to the multi-billion-dollar natural foods and dietary supplement industry.