Online Nutrition Degrees

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Online Nutrition Degree

As more people want healthy lifestyles, many online schools now offer nutrition programs. Nutritionists use skills in science to help people with their eating habits. If you want to enter or further a career in this booming field, an online degree offers a flexible option.

What is an Online Nutrition Degree?

An online degree in nutrition studies the impact of food choice on human health and disease. Then applies these ideas to inform and promote well being. One may find this type of online degree at all levels. Bachelors, masters and PhDs. At each step, you may learn about the science of food and how humans digest it. Plus some practical topics to nurture skills in nutritional counseling and health education.

A bachelor’s degree is intro level. Grads may have the skills to meet state certification rules and launch a career. Master’s programs may help grads step other careers. Including management, food safety and clinical nutrition. While a PhD focuses on science and novel research to impact public awareness and policy.

When looking into online nutrition programs you might check for ACEND accreditation. ACEND is the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. 

Schools that meet their standards may enable grads to sit for licensure exams. One in particular is the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. It is from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). They are the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition

An online bachelor of science in nutrition is an entry level degree. Most programs entail 120 credits and take four years to complete. Many online schools award a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Of the two, a BSc is science focused (biology, chemistry, anatomy). A BA may shift some focus to public policy and be less technical.

Nutrition is about the food we eat and whether it nourishes us or makes us unwell. So, it is common to study genetics and how humans digest and process foods. Some programs also study the retail food industry. These may support business skills such as marketing, buying and budget. 

In checking out schools, you may notice tuition rates vary. Public tuition averaged $17,797 per year in 2017/18. While private schools are likely more expensive. These cost in the range of $46,014 (private nonprofit) or $26,261 (private for profit) per year according to NCES.

That said, you might qualify for financial aid. To start the process, make sure to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time. Some schools also offer merit scholarships which likely assess more academic criteria.  

When ready to apply as a freshman applicant you need a high school diploma. As these are science focused programs, they may require HS math and lab sciences. Schools also set a minimum for GPA and ACT/SAT scores which vary from one to the next. 

Master’s Degree in Nutrition

An online master of science degree in nutrition is grad level. Most programs entail from 30 to 36 credits. And may take one to two years after a bachelor’s. While not broad like an undergrad degree, a master’s tends to go deep. Classes often center around sciences. Including genetics, metabolism, medical nutrition and biology. Then also explore practical ways to work with certain diseases such as obesity.

Many thus go for a master’s to refine clinical, research and managerial skills. And, to qualify for advanced credentials from the CDR. This may be a way to stay competitive in the job market as well as to shift into a niche area. Pediatric nutrition is one example.

Apart from transcripts applicants may need to submit references and a personal statement. Due the strong science focus, you might need a specific undergrad major. Schools may also set a minimum GPA of 3.0 and check your GRE scores. These standards do vary from one to the next.

Another feature that varies is the cost of grad school. At last check, tuition plus required fees at a public school was $11,617. Private nonprofits ($26,551) and for profits ($14,784) usually have higher average annual costs.

PhD in Nutrition

A PhD is a research degree. As such, it often entails an original final paper (dissertation). As the highest level award, a PhD may suit those who want to teach and conduct research.

In contrast, a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition is a practice doctorate. It often grows clinical reasoning skills. Because of this, most DCN programs include an in person residency. Also, a final research project and pilot study.

Science classes in both programs may overlap. But a DCN may cover the finer points of a nutrition based physical exam. How to measure vital signs, check fluids, heart sounds and for malnutrition. 

A PhD might cover a range of physiology, genetics and metabolism classes instead. Students may also work with faculty to tailor classes to an anchor point. 

Some students may gain entry into a PhD program after college. But a DCN program is different. For these, you tend to both a master’s degree and RDN credential. Applicants may also need work experience, resume, references and letter of intent. 

What can I do with an Online Nutrition Degree?

A degree in nutrition may be an entry point to current and up and coming roles. The need to teach people healthy habits and prevent disease is creating opportunity. As some careers are still evolving, there may be jobs for different levels of education. Many dietitians and nutritionists have a bachelor’s as well as advanced degree. The Commission on Dietetic Registration also offers certs. Having one may be a useful step to go for if you want to work in a niche. Like oncology nutrition, obesity and weight or sports dietetics.

1. Clinical Dietician

A clinical dietitian may work in hospitals, care facilities, clinics, and private practice. Their role is to craft meal plans for specific medical conditions. Like diabetes, heart disease or digestive issues.

2. Nutritionist

A main concern of a nutritionist is that one’s diet promote health. For instance, if a client is at risk for stroke, they might plan food choices that limit fat and sugar. 

3. Health Educator

A health educator teaches people how to adopt healthy habits. They do this by creating programs, materials, securing funding and advocacy. 

4. Food Service Manager

A food service manager is in charge of daily operations at restaurants and other venues that serve food and beverages. Their duties revolve around staffing, schedules, quality control, budget and client care. 

5. Chef / Head Cook

A chef is the person who oversees food prep. They are the creative minds behind recipes and ingredient selection. Executive chefs also handle some of the administrative tasks such as purchasing and pricing.

6. Food Scientist

A food scientist uses chemistry, biology, and other sciences to study the basic elements of food. From its nutritional content. To greener ways of packaging. Some also inspect food processing area and enforce government food safety rules. Depending on how research intensive, a graduate degree may be necessary.

7. Community Health Worker

A community health worker tends to know the needs of their local area in order to serve them. They may address barriers to care and services through outreach programs. 

8. Food Entrepreneur

A food entrepreneur is someone who wants to run a business. Often it begins with an innovative idea about food, take out or delivery. For example, turning a love of baking into a cup cake hey then pair their food skills with a robust business plan that aims to execute their vision and turn a profit.

Is an Online Degree in Nutrition worth it?

An online degree in nutrition may yield usable skills, prospects and above average earning potential. Jobs in health care (nutrition is one) are growing much faster than the norm. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for nutritionists should grow by 8% to 2029. That is above the average growth rate for all occupations which is 4%. 

One of the reasons cited by the BLS is the CDC statistic that over one third of Americans are obese. Obesity often goes hand in hand with heart disease, diabetes and diet. So, if you have skills in these areas it may help with a job search. If thinking about this field, nutrition professionals work full time. Many work in outpatient centers, hospitals, gov’t and nursing / residential care.  

Salaries for these career paths vary. The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $61,270 in May 2019. Those in the highest 10% earned more than $87,360. And those in the lowest 10% earned less than $38,890, also per the BLS.

Let’s say you want to use your skills to educate the public how to stay healthy. For instance, discussing the effect of smoking or sugar through a marketing initiative.These skills are also in demand. The BLS predicts a 13% to 15% rise in the number of jobs available to 2029. 

While salaries vary, the median annual wage for community workers was $40,360 in May 2019. The median annual wage was higher for health education specialists ($55,220) where the top 10% earned more than $98,680.

Online Nutrition Degree Jobs & Salary

Top States for Jobs as a Nutrition

What classes will I take with an Online Nutrition Degree?

Nutritional science looks at the impact of food on health and disease through the life span. As a result, you might find classes in health sciences mixed with others. Biology, metabolism, food science, and therapeutic diets.

Each level of degree is likely to present this material to online students in unique ways. To give you an idea, here are a few kinds of classes you may find at the bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE CLASSES

A main goal of this level is to introduce the field of nutrition, the sciences it draws from and skill sets. So most course plans start with survey classes to lay a foundation. Then progress into more complex topics that may show you how to apply theory. For instance, how to build a meal plan around a health issue.

If not completed in an associate degree, there may be other credit hours to complete. These consist of general classes such as chemistry, biology, statistics and physics. Other requirements may include field work nearby and a capstone project. 

GRADUATE PROGRAM CLASSES

These programs tend to focus on one aspect of nutrition to help you shape a career niche. Most course plans do include core nutrition topics. But also add a look at clinical uses, professional skills and electives.

The typical syllabus (especially for a PhD) also includes research. These classes may show you how to use findings to support practice, policy and service design. Side topics tend to also discuss related legal issues, informatics and leadership.

How long does it take to get a Nutrition Degree online?

The time it takes to earn an online degree in nutrition varies by program level and course load. A bachelor’s degree is likely to take four years. Fewer if you have eligible transfer credits from an associate degree program. Once you’ve earned your degree, a master’s may take from one to four years depending on whether you study part time or full time. You should also note that if going for the RDN credential, you may need 1,200 supervised hours. Once a master’s prepared RDN, it may take four to five years extra to complete a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degree. 

15 Schools with Online Nutrition Degrees

Many online schools offer food and nutrition degree programs online. We have ranked our top 15 schools based on the number of graduates from the program in 2019. Our process looks at 2019 data from the NCES. And, it may help you narrow your search down.

1. Arizona State University
2. University of Arizona
3. University of Alabama
4. Purdue University Global 
5. Kansas State University Online 
6. U of Wisconsin Madison 
7. University of Michigan
8. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
9. Tufts University 
10. University of Southern California 
11. Rutgers University
12. Saybrook University 
13. University of North Florida
14. Oregon State University
15. Colorado State University

Let’s take a closer look at the online programs in nutrition these 15 schools have to offer.

FIND AN ONLINE NUTRITION DEGREE

*Unemployment Earnings.Sources for school stats and data include the NCES and IPEDS.