ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

A two-tier curriculum designed
to build clinical competence.

The RSN Institute curriculum is sequenced to produce practitioners who think systemically, interpret labs with discernment, and design protocols that respect the order in which the body actually heals.

TWO PROGRAMS · ONE PATHWAY

Choose your entry point.

Tier I is the foundational credential for root-cause practice. Tier II adds clinical lab interpretation and advanced protocols on top - for practitioners who interpret and act on data.

Tier Comparison

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TIER I · FOUNDATION

Functional Nutrition Certification

The foundational credential for root-cause practice.

DURATION

6 months

LIVE CALLS

Weekly Q&A

TRAINING HOURS

50+ hours

MODULES

8 modules

THE FULL CURRICULUM

01

Functional Nutrition Framework

The RSN Treatment Model - sequenced clinical framework for the four types of physiological damage. Plus Ben Azadi on reversing metabolic disease.

02

Lifestyle Factors

Healing diets · anti-inflammatory protocols · food toxins · blood sugar · microbiome support · sleep · exercise · meditation & mindfulness.

03

Body Composition

Energy balance, metabolic adaptation, macros. Plus bonus trainings from Alan Aragon and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon on Muscle-Centric Medicine®.

04

Adrenals & Chronic Stress

HPA-axis · HPG-axis · HPT-axis · stages of adrenal exhaustion · gut-stress connection · resetting protocols.

05

Thyroid

Root causes, autoimmune drivers, AIP diet protocols, restoring function.

06

Gut Microbiome & Gut Health

Leaky gut · digestive insufficiency · pathogens · SIBO · gut-centric protocols. Plus Rachel's full Gut Health Repair Program as a bonus reference.

07

Female Hormones

Cycle physiology · estrogen · progesterone · PMS · PCOS · sexual dysfunction · infertility · perimenopause & menopause.

08

Liver & Detoxification

Toxins · body burden · genetics · low-tox living · Phase 1 & 2 detoxification · clearance pathway protocols.

PLUS

Weekly live Q&A with Rachel · Functional Nutrition Handbook · downloadable protocols & meal plans · private practitioner community · 80+ pre-recorded lessons · final examination.

CREDENTIAL

Functional Nutrition Practitioner — accredited by AANWC, ANWCB, AANWP & AADP

EXPLORE TIER I →

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TIER II · ADVANCED

Functional Nutrition + Lab Testing

For practitioners who interpret and act on data.

DURATION

12 months

LIVE CALLS

Two per week

TRAINING HOURS

80+ hours

PREREQUISITE

Tier I or equiv.

EVERYTHING IN TIER I — WITH LAB INTERPRETATION LAYERED IN

01

Foundation + Lab Setup

Tier I framework + lab ordering setup, Patient Intake V.2, basic bloodwork interpretation, lipids & inflammation markers, micronutrients & targeted nutrition, lab interpretation for the four types of physiological damage.

02

Lifestyle Foundation

Full Tier I lifestyle coverage — the foundation lab work sits on top of.

03

Body Comp + Aesthetic Lab Interpretation

Tier I body composition + reading metabolic markers and aesthetic lab patterns.

04

Adrenals + 24-Hour Cortisol Testing

Tier I HPA-axis work + Mastering Cortisol — reading rhythm to assess HPA dysfunction with precision.

05

Thyroid + Advanced Panels

Tier I thyroid + full panel interpretation: antibodies, free T3, reverse T3, optimal vs. reference ranges, case scenarios.

06

Gut + Advanced Lab Work

Tier I gut + stool analysis, Genova GI Effects, SIBO breath testing, advanced SIBO protocols, IBD, elemental diets, carb pulsing.

07

Female Hormones + Functional Lab Testing

Tier I hormones + DUTCH testing, Genova hormone interpretation, lab-driven protocols for cycling and menopausal women.

08

Liver/Detox + Toxin Testing

Tier I detox + mycotoxin/heavy metal testing, advanced multi-phase protocols, Lyme disease, Metagenics & Cellcore detox systems.

09

Genetics

MTHFR · methylation · genetic testing · clinically-actionable nutrigenomics.

10

Skin Health

SkynBio topical treatments · Metagenics skin · Biotics skin training.

PLUS

Two live calls per week (Q&A + lab interpretation) · Lab ordering setup support (Vibrant practitioner account, NPI) · Functional Nutrition Handbook + Lab Reference · 80+ training hours · 130+ combined lessons · private practitioner community · final examination.

CREDENTIAL

Functional Nutrition Practitioner (FN-P) — accredited by AANWC, ANWCB, AANWP & AADP

EXPLORE TIER II →

HOW TO CHOOSE

New to functional nutrition? Start with Tier I - the foundation everything else stands on. Already in clinical practice? Tier II is designed for the practitioner who wants to interpret labs and design data-informed protocols. Either way, the next step is a conversation.