What is the Nutritional Psychology Micro-Degree (NP-FMA)?

The CNP micro-degree in nutritional psychology (NP-FMA) is a short, specialized educational program designed to provide foundational and applied knowledge at the intersection of the nutritional and psychological sciences. This program equips professionals with skills to understand how and why dietary habits and nutrient intake affect mental health, mood, behavior, and cognitive processes. Unlike a full traditional degree, the CNP micro-degree (NP-FMA) is completed over a shorter period and is intended for professionals or students seeking to enhance their ability to address diet-mental health connections within their existing scope of practice, rather than serve as a formal standalone qualification for licensure or professional practice. It is important to note that the NP-FMA credential replaces the individual certificate post-nominals and does NOT imply licensure.

The micro-degree in nutritional psychology requires the completion of 11 courses that are grouped into three thematic areas: theoretical foundations, biological mechanisms, and professional applications. While Certificate # 3 in Professional Applications (NP- A) is not available until Fall 2026, learners can prepare for this micro-degree by completing the NP-F (Theoretical Foundations) and NP-M (Biological Mechanisms) certificates.

For Learners who have just earned the NP 100 Series Certificate
As CNP evolves its continuing education programs to offer a micro-degree, the NP100 Series Certificate will be retired. With this new move towards a micro-degree, Learners/ Professionals who have completed the NP100 Series Certificate might be wondering what this means for them. All of the continuing education hours you completed remain fully valid and recognized by CNP. Nothing about your existing credit changes.

Learners who have earned the NP100 certificate have already fulfilled Certificate/Track #2 in the new micro-degree framework. NP 100 also covers part of Certificate/Track #1. We’ll provide clear instructions on how your existing coursework will transfer and how you can continue, should you choose, into the new program. If you are uncertain about your standing, email our administrator to admin@nutritional-psychology.org to discuss your path.

For Learners who have recently purchased and enrolled in the NP 100 Series Certificate:
The continuing education hours you’ve earned and will be earning are fully valid, do not expire or lose value. These courses directly serve as singular CE courses, towards individual Certificate Tracks in the new program, and go towards completion of the NP-FMA Micro-Degree in Nutritional Psychology. We can help you plan your program by contacting our administrator.

Why Complete Our Nutritional Psychology Micro-Degree (NP-FMA)?

Our micro-degree in nutritional psychology equips you with strong, evidence-based knowledge of the theoretical and biological connections between nutrition and mental health. It also enables you to integrate interdisciplinary nutrition and psychological science into your practice or classroom while remaining within your specific professional scope of practice. Additionally, this micro-degree can enhance your professional credibility, support your continuing education goals, and allow you to expand your range of services offered to your clients, patients, and students.

Start your Nutritional Psychology Mini-Degree today
Learn more about our Nutritional Psychology Program
Read the Nutritional Psychology Conceptual Framework Paper