Guide to Online Nutrition Degrees
Online nutrition degrees offer an interdisciplinary education in the vast field of food science. In addition to learning about how diet affects health and wellness, students also have the opportunity to study the social, political, and cultural aspects that influence access to food. Depending on their interests and the level of education they're pursuing, individuals enrolled in a nutrition degree may explore how diet and nutrition affect disease management, influence public health considerations, or shape community health standards.
Graduates with a nutrition education can find careers in healthcare, research, government, and education, to name a few areas. With certification, as well as the required level of education and experience, they may also be prepared to open their own practice or work as health consultants for individual clients.
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Types of Nutrition Degrees
Nutrition science degrees are available at multiple educational levels. While undergraduate programs introduce students to fundamental concepts in food science, graduate degrees offer the opportunity to specialize in particular areas and generally lead to increased earning potential and employability. Nutrition degrees at different levels vary in terms of coursework, completion length, and future career opportunities. Below are the nutrition degree levels available to students.
Associate Degree in Nutrition
Associate degrees in nutrition are designed to be completed in two years of full-time study, with students primarily taking introductory courses in biology, chemistry, public health, and other food science-related disciplines. Individuals hoping to continue their education can transfer into a bachelor's program after completing an associate degree, while those who want to join the workforce immediately can apply for entry-level nutrition positions. Though an associate degree provides students with options once they graduate, those who want to advance their nutrition career will need further education or certification.
Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition
Students enrolled in a bachelor's level dietetics program gain a foundational grounding in wellness and nutrition, while also taking classes in STEM, social science, and humanities fields. Individuals typically complete these programs in four years of full-time study, during which they take core courses, electives, and general education credits. Many bachelor's programs also require that students complete a capstone project to graduate — typically in the form of a review paper on a topic of their choosing. A bachelor of science in nutrition equips students with the necessary skills to apply for nutrition jobs or advance their education.
Interested in learning more? Check out our rankings of the best online bachelor's degrees in nutrition.
Master's Degree in Nutrition
Master's degrees in nutrition include both general and specialized options. Students enrolled in the former complete advanced coursework in health science topics and also strive to develop their research skills. By contrast, those pursuing a specialized graduate program focus on a particular area such as public health, sports dietetics, or pediatric nutrition. Both specialized and general programs can be completed in two years of full-time study. Prospective students should note that a master's in nutrition will soon be required to work as a registered dietitian nutritionist.
Doctoral Degree in Nutrition
Like other programs at this level, a nutrition doctorate trains students to contribute original knowledge in their field. Individuals must take classes in advanced food science topics, pass exams, and complete a dissertation to earn their nutrition doctorate. This degree may be a good option for those who want to conduct original research in food science, engage with the scientific community, or teach at the post-secondary level. However, prospective students should note that graduate study at this level is challenging and may take several years to complete.
What Will You Learn in a Nutrition Degree Program
Nutrition degrees are interdisciplinary in nature, with students taking classes in food science, STEM, and social science disciplines. Alongside completing coursework, they also strive to gain interpersonal, management, and problem-solving skills. While courses vary from school to school, below is a list of classes students can expect to take as part of a nutrition degree.
Introduction to Nutrition Science
Community Nutrition
Food Safety
Management of Food Service Systems
Nutritional Counseling
Concentrations
Concentrations allow students to focus their education in particular areas of nutrition and food science. They are often opportunities for individuals to explore subdisciplines and gain the necessary knowledge to pursue a career path that interests them. Below is a list of some common concentration options for students enrolled in a nutrition program.
Unsure if a nutrition degree is right for you? Check out our full list of online bachelor's degrees and master's degrees.
Is an Online Nutrition Degree Worth It?
Nutrition degrees can pay off in the long term for individuals who want to work in the food science industry. However, prospective students should also evaluate their personal circumstances, financial position, and other commitments — as these factors can also influence whether a nutrition education is worth it. The value of this degree will ultimately vary from student to student, but individuals may consider the following potential pros and cons before deciding to enroll in a nutrition program.
Potential Advantages
Nutritionists are typically well-compensated. Compared to the U.S. median annual salary of $41,950, these professionals earn a median of $63,090, with the top 10% earning over $90,000 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Nutrition degrees train students to identify and care for people's needs. For individuals who enjoy working with and helping others, a nutrition degree can lead to a rewarding career in client service.
A nutrition education may be a suitable option for self-employment. While dieticians work for hospitals or schools, they can also open private practices that serve individual clients. This degree may therefore be useful to those who want the business aptitude and food science training to work for themselves.
Potential Disadvantages
A nutrition degree alone is not enough to advance a career in this field. For instance, many employers may expect these professionals to be licensed for higher-level positions and nutritionists must take continuing education credits to maintain their credentials to remain competitive.
Becoming a successful dietician takes time and effort. Students with a nutrition education often need to gain several years of experience before they can command a high salary, start their own practice, or work with a pool of dedicated clients. This is unlike other positions — particularly in tech and business sectors — where graduates can find high paying entry-level jobs soon after graduation.
Is a Nutrition Degree a Good Fit For Me?
Nutrition degrees can be an ideal choice for students who enjoy helping others meet their health and fitness goals. For instance, individuals who enjoy cooperation are likely to do well as nutritionists and dietitians. Furthermore, employers hiring nutritionists commonly seek empathetic problem solvers with the ability to discern people's needs and challenges and help them overcome them through evidence-based strategies. Overall, students who see themselves as creative, collaborative individuals who care about the health of others may find that a nutrition education suits their personality and interests.
Employers hiring nutritionists seek empathetic problem solvers with the ability to discern people's needs and challenges and help them overcome them through evidence-based strategies.
Nutrition Degree Scholarships
Like on-campus learners, individuals pursuing an online degree in nutrition are typically eligible for federal, state, and private forms of financial aid. They can also apply for student loans — though it's important to explore free forms of funding first as these don't have to be repaid. In cases where borrowing is unavoidable, students should look into federal loans because these offer the most favorable repayment plans.
To apply for aid, online students should begin by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This helps determine how much assistance an individual is eligible for based on their personal and financial circumstances. Online students can contact their prospective schools' financial aid departments to determine which funding opportunities are open to them, and whether they need to meet additional eligibility criteria. They may also consider applying for the following grants and scholarships.
- Award amount: $500-$25,000
- Award amount: $1,500
- Award amount: $2,500
Accreditation
Students interested in a nutrition degree should ensure they pursue their education at an accredited college or university. Accreditation is a process in which a third party evaluates a school's faculty, program offerings, campus, and student facilities to determine whether they meet nationally agreed standards of academic excellence. Aside from receiving a quality education, enrolling in an accredited institution is important because it qualifies students for federal financial aid as well as various private grants and scholarships.
There are different types of accreditation. For instance, regional and national accreditation is carried out by various organizations and applies to the school as a whole. Some disciplines, however, offer programmatic accreditation, where a professional organization evaluates whether a specific degree meets educational benchmarks for that field. The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is the agency that assesses nutrition degrees.
Students should verify their nutrition program is both ACEND-accredited and offered at a regionally accredited school by checking the U.S. Department of Education or Council of Higher Education databases.
For more information about attending an online college, including scholarship opportunities and advice from experts, visit our resource hub.
What Can You Do With a Nutrition Degree?
Given the essential role diet plays in health and development, nutrition professionals can be found working in gyms, schools, wellness centers, offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities. Depending on their career goals, these professionals may work as private or public employees or serve as independent consultants to their own list of clients. Continue reading for a list of potential career options for nutrition degree holders.
Certification and Licensure
Certification and licensure can show that an individual is a well-trained and capable nutritionist, and can help improve their job prospects. While requirements vary by state — with some making board licensure or third-party certification mandatory and others having no prerequisites — nutritionists typically need to have a postsecondary degree, log a number of supervised hours, and pass an exam to earn these qualifications. Students and professionals have a range of nutrition certification options depending on their educational level and area of interest. Below is a list of the most common types.
FAQs
Additional Resources
Students can explore the following resources for supplementary information on nutrition degrees, certification, and career options.
AND is the premier organization for licensed practitioners and students. Founded in 1917, it publishes research, provides health education resources, and encourages professional advancement in the field of nutrition.
ANA offers certification and continuing education programs for registered dieticians and dietetics technicians. In addition to setting professional standards for nutritionists, the organization provides students with information on degree programs, jobs, and internship opportunities.
ASN seeks to build trust in food science by providing scientific, evidence-based knowledge on wellness-related topics. It also provides online courses, webinars, and networking opportunities to students interested in nutrition.
NANP is an organization that focuses on the practice of holistic nutrition. This body offers certification, publishes research, and hosts an annual conference for members. Students who join can also benefit from mentorship opportunities.
SNEB is an international organization of nutritionists that advocates for healthy lifestyles through research, policy engagement, and education. Student members have the chance to join committees, attend conferences, and develop their professional network.
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2023 Best Online Nutrition Degrees
Our 2023 list of online nutrition degrees is based on popularity among students. Read on to learn whether earning a nutrition degree online is right for you.
By OnlineU Staff Writers | 1/17/2023