Online Degrees in Nutrition

In today’s knowledge-driven world, pursuing a degree in nutrition has never been more accessible. With the advancement of online education, you can now earn a reputable degree in nutrition from the comfort of your home. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of online degrees in nutrition, exploring the best programs available to help you embark on a fulfilling and rewarding career in the field of nutrition.

Why You Should Get a Nutritionist Degree Online

• Earning a nutritionist degree online provides flexibility, allowing you to easily balance school with other obligations, like a job or family.
• You’ll gain the skills and qualifications to coach people in nutrition and healthy eating.
• You can help improve the well-being of groups with an advanced understanding of the effects of diet and lifestyle.
• An online nutrition degree helps you enter an in-demand field that’s projected to grow 7% between 2021 and 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
• Getting optional certifications after earning your nutritionist degree online can raise your salary potential and expand your career options.

Online Nutrition Degree Application Requirements

Nutritionist Certification and Licensure

Many states require nutritionists to be licensed. Check with your state for more information on licensure requirements for nutritionists. State licensure requirements usually include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in food, nutrition, or a related area. You’ll also likely need to complete a supervised practice and pass an exam.

Aside from state licensure, nutritionists can pursue optional certifications in specialized areas. Earning an additional certification can open new career prospects and increase your salary potential. Common nutritionist certifications include:

• Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
• Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN)
• Diplomate, American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN)
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
• Registered Nutrition and Dietetics Technician (NDTR)
• Certified Food Manager (CFM)
• Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)

Popular Nutrition Career Paths

Nutritionists can work in places you may not even think of. With their expertise, they can work in government agencies, schools, hospitals, and health clinics. A degree in nutrition can also get you jobs in food companies, community service, private practice, and public health.

Here are some popular jobs for graduates with bachelor’s degrees in nutrition;

List of Top Institutions Offering the Best Online Degrees in Nutrition

The institutions listed below are top colleges and universities that offer the best online degrees in nutrition.

• Arizona State University
• Purdue University Global
• University of Northern Colorado
• University of Alabama
• Kansas State University
• University of Arizona
• Texas Tech University
• East Carolina University
• Weber State University
• University of Massachusetts Lowell
• Texas Woman’s University
• Eastern Michigan University
• Georgia State University
• Rutgers University
• Auburn University

Best Online Degrees in Nutrition

Let’s explore online degree programs offered at these top universities.

#1. Arizona State University

• Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

Established in 1885, Arizona State University is one of the largest American public research institutions by enrolment.

At Arizona State University, you have a variety of options to choose from. ASU Online provides both online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition.

At the undergraduate level, ASU offers a BAS in Food and Nutrition, BS in Health Education and Health Promotion, BS in Health Sciences, Healthy Lifestyles and Fitness Science, BS in Food Nutrition and Entrepreneurship, and a BS in Sustainable Food Systems.

ASU also offers an MS in Nutritional Science (Dietetics), MS in Sustainable Food Systems, and MS in Medical Nutrition.

#2. Purdue University Global

Contact

• Online Students- Tel: 884-PURDUE-G (844-787-3834)
• International Student- Tel: 954-512-5112
• Military Students- Tel: 866-583-4412

Purdue Global is an accredited online university that offers over 175 academic programs. This online university offers an online BS in Nutrition that requires 180 quarter credit hours to complete. Purdue Global’s online bachelor’s degree in nutrition is NANP (National Association of Nutrition Professionals)approved.

The program’s subject incorporates Food Safety and Microbiology, Nutritional Counselling, Nutrition Analysis and Assessment, Nutritional Planning and Management.

#3. University of Northern Colorado

• Location: Greeley, Colorado

Established in 1889, this public university in Colorado offers one of the best online degrees in nutrition. UNC’s online BS in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

You will take general education classes and also learn biochemical, physiological, and behavioural sciences and food accessibility and dietary intake.

#4. University of Alabama

• Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The University of Alabama offers an online bachelor’s degree in nutrition and food. The online bachelor’s program offered at UA is approved by ACEND and it’s the best option for students who want to build a career as a registered dietician.

#5. Kansas State University

• Location: Manhattan, Kansas

K-State is a public university, the first public institution of higher learning in Kansas established in 1863. Kansas State offers an online bachelor’s degree in nutrition. It’s an online program that is highly customizable, which means you get to take classes at your own pace.

#6. University of Arizona

• Location: Tucson, Arizona

Here is another public university in the state of Arizona that also offers an online degree in nutrition. At Arizona, you can choose to concentrate on nutrition or dietetics. The University of Arizona’s online degree in nutrition prepares students for exciting career paths in the food and health industry.

#7. Texas Tech University

• Location: Lubbock, Texas

If you are a registered dietician or a nutritionist who wishes to obtain a graduate degree, Texas Tech University offers the perfect online master’s program.

Texas Tech’s online master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics has a curriculum that enables students to improve their skills in areas like geriatrics, obesity management, eating disorders, paediatrics, maternal health, etc.

#8. East Carolina University

• Location: Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University offers an online MS in Nutrition. ECU’s MS in Nutrition covers courses such as Methods in Nutrition Research and Human Nutrition in Physiology and Metabolism. The university is also home to one of America’s largest dietetic internships.

#9. Weber State University

• Location: Ogden, Utah

Weber State University in Ogden offers an online bachelor’s degree in nutrition. The online program offers students the opportunity to focus on integrative or sports nutrition.

Through this online nutrition program, you will study cultural sensitivity and enhance your skills in health and nutrition-related fields.

#10. University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Location: Lowell, Massachusetts

UMass Lowell through its Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences provides a nutrition minor for students interested in nutrition.

All applicants need departmental authorization and must present at least 23 semester hours alongside 9 hours of upper-division courses. You may be required to be a student of UMass to minor in this field.

#11. Texas Woman’s University

• Location: Denton, Texas

Texas Woman’s University is America’s largest state-supported institution primarily for women. TWU offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Its online Bachelor of Science in Nutrition requires 121 credit hours to complete. Once you complete this bachelor’s degree, you can apply for TWU MS in Nutrition.

#12. Eastern Michigan University

• Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University currently enrols over 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students.  This public university offers an online dietetics combined (a bachelor’s with a master’s degree), which requires students to complete 144 credit hours in five years.

#13. Georgia State University

• Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University through its College of Nursing and Health Profession offers a partially online bachelor’s in nutrition. It’s one of the best online degrees in nutrition you will find online. You will choose between two concentrations in nutrition science or nutrition and wellness.

The nutrition science concentration is designed for students searching for a pre-professional degree to gain entry into pharmacy, medical or dietetic studies.

#14. Rutgers University

• Location: New Jersey

Rutgers University offers an online bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. The online bachelor’s program prepares students to take the CDR Credentialing Examination for Dietician Nutritionists.

#15. Auburn University

• Location: Auburn, Alabama

Auburn University in Alabama offers a variety of graduate online degrees in nutrition. The university provides a traditional MS in Nutrition, an online MS in Nutrition, an accelerated MS/BS, a PhD in Nutrition, and MS Dietetics Internships.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Nutrition Degrees

What degree is best for a nutritionist?

A bachelor’s degree in nutrition is the best foundational degree for nutritionists. Typically, you only need a bachelor’s and state licensure to work as a nutritionist.

You can advance your career and qualify for high-paying positions by earning a master’s degree in nutrition or a master of public health with a nutrition concentration. You can also consider optional nutrition certifications, which allow you to specialize in specific subfields of nutrition.

Is a nutrition degree hard?

Nutrition is a science-based degree, so you’ll need to be comfortable with coursework heavy in math and science. Whether you find math and science difficult or easy, with persistence and support from your professors and university, you can successfully earn a bachelor’s degree in nutrition.

What’s the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?

A dietitian is a nutritionist with extra qualifications that allow them to work with patients in clinical settings. A dietitian is a more highly regulated credential than a nutritionist. If you become a dietitian, you’ll be able to work with clients to treat clinical conditions like eating disorders.

Is it worth doing a nutrition degree?

If you’re passionate about helping others through nutrition, an on-campus or online nutrition degree can be a great option. By earning a nutrition degree, you can work in a variety of settings, including private practices, hospitals, and schools.

The median salary for dietitians was $61,650 in 2021 — well above the median salary of $45,760 for all occupations — according to the BLS.

Is a nutritionist certification worth it?

If you want to become a nutritionist, nutritionist certifications can lead to more professional opportunities and a higher salary. These optional certifications give you the tools needed to teach people what to eat, create nutrition programs, and more. Many top universities offer nutritionist certifications online.