Online Nutrition Degree Overview
There are numerous options for students hoping to pursue an online degree in nutrition. These programs are designed to teach students the fundamentals of food science, culinary methods, and healthy lifestyles. Degrees in nutrition can lead to various careers, depending on the student's interests and degree level. Online nutrition programs come in many different formats with flexible schedules and myriad career tracks. Learn about online degree programs in nutrition below.
Online Associate Degrees in Nutrition
An online associate in nutrition is generally designed for students hoping to transfer to a four-year college. An associate degree in nutrition can come in the form of an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS). An Associate of Arts degree in nutrition is for careers in education or communication related to nutrition, whereas an Associate of Science is for future nutritionists, dieticians, and other health-based occupations. These programs require anywhere from 60 to 65 credits for completion, which will include general coursework as well as nutrition-specific classes.
Online Bachelor's Degrees in Nutrition
Many online Bachelor of Science (BS) degree programs in nutrition are available for students. These programs are aimed at those wishing to enter into the fields of nutrition, dietetics, and food science. They usually require 120 credit hours, with 30 to 40 of those hours focused on the major. Some programs offer students a choice of emphasis, between nutrition and dietetics; others combine the two into a general program.
Online Master's Degrees in Nutrition
As nutrition is a large category of degree, online Master's programs often focus on a particular component of nutrition, which will lead a student on a more direct course to their aspired occupation. There are Master of Science (MS) in Nutritional Science, as well as focuses in Community Nutrition, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Environmental Nutrition (which incorporates sustainability into the curriculum). Most of these programs require around 33 credits to graduate and can be finished in 2 years, though a student can attend part-time and complete the program at a more measure pace.
Online Doctoral Degrees in Nutrition
There are not many online doctoral degrees offered in nutrition, and even the ones that are offered (such as Maryland University of Integrative Health's Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) program) require on-campus work in order to complete the degree. Any student at such an advanced stage of education should be prepared to study in-person.
Online Certificates in Nutrition
There are online certificate programs in nutrition available as online programs. Some of them require anywhere from 15 to 18 credits and are usually designed to supplement a professional's skills and education. These can often be completed in one semester. Professional certification programs are also available, as nutritionists and dieticians are required to be certified, which require a significant number of hours to achieve (see Licensure and Certifications below).
The Best Bachelor Degree Programs in Nutrition
| School | Tuition* | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $9943 | 28% | 82% | 63% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 2 | Central Washington University | $8273 | 85% | 58% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley | $14253 | 16% | 93% | 63% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 4 | Iowa State University | $9320 | 92% | 74% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 5 | James Madison University | $12206 | 77% | 84% | 62% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 6 | California State University-Chico | $7806 | 72% | 67% | 76% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Austin | $10824 | 32% | 86% | 67% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 8 | Ohio State University-Main Campus | $11084 | 54% | 86% | 79% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 9 | University of California-Davis | $14495 | 39% | 87% | 66% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 10 | Texas A & M University-College Station | $11361 | 58% | 82% | 76% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 11 | California State University-Long Beach | $6834 | 39% | 74% | 81% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $10725 | 54% | 88% | 61% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 13 | Michigan State University | $15555 | 71% | 81% | 70% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 14 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | $7396 | 55% | 69% | 78% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 15 | San Jose State University | $7852 | 64% | 64% | 73% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 16 | Oregon State University | $11715 | 82% | 67% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 17 | Indiana State University | $9236 | 90% | 41% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 18 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $15027 | 57% | 83% | 81% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 19 | Florida State University | $6517 | 36% | 83% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 20 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | $11465 | 52% | 84% | 57% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 21 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $8980 | 23% | 91% | 65% | No | Yes | AP Credits |
| 22 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | $9101 | 45% | 82% | 68% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 23 | San Francisco State University | $7266 | 67% | 57% | 77% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 24 | California State University-Sacramento | $7368 | 82% | 55% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 25 | Kansas State University | $10800 | 95% | 65% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 26 | San Diego State University | $7510 | 34% | 73% | 60% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 27 | University of Maryland-College Park | $10779 | 44% | 87% | 66% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 28 | University of Delaware | $14280 | 71% | 81% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 29 | University of North Dakota | $9736 | 81% | 61% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 30 | California State University-San Bernardino | $6952 | 69% | 55% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 31 | California State University-Los Angeles | $6768 | 48% | 52% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 32 | University of Georgia | $12080 | 45% | 87% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 33 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $13691 | 70% | 86% | 65% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 34 | University of Florida | $6381 | 37% | 88% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 35 | Ohio University-Main Campus | $12612 | 82% | 65% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 36 | University of Connecticut | $17226 | 49% | 84% | 75% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 37 | Purdue Global-Main Campus | $9992 | 60% | 82% | 65% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 38 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | $9028 | 70% | 65% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 39 | University of Missouri-Columbia | $10477 | 81% | 71% | 89% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 40 | Farmingdale State College | $8538 | 55% | 52% | 74% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 41 | University of Nevada-Reno | $8184 | 88% | 61% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 42 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | $11901 | 81% | 70% | 79% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 43 | University of Houston | $9221 | 65% | 61% | 87% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 44 | The University of Alabama | $10780 | 83% | 71% | 79% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 45 | University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | $18879 | 84% | 76% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 46 | Framingham State University | $11100 | 74% | 61% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 47 | University of Vermont | $18802 | 67% | 77% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 48 | SUNY College at Plattsburgh | $8872 | 58% | 68% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 49 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | $11962 | 75% | 68% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 50 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | $19718 | 57% | 83% | 77% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit our ranking methodology page.
Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Nutrition Specializations/Concentrations
Nutrition programs frequently have concentrations and specializations available to their students. These concentrations are designed to prepare the student for their specific specialization and send them down a track toward a particular occupation. Common concentrations, tracks, or specializations for nutrition include:
• Dietetics
• Fitness and Exercise Science
• Public Health
• Toxicology
• Environmental Nutrition
• Nutritional Therapy
• Nutrition Education
Curriculum/Coursework for a Nutrition Degree
A degree in nutrition can provide a student with a foundational knowledge of human health, food science, and dietetics. Depending on the emphasis of the program and the education level of the degree, nutrition programs prepare students for careers in related fields by offering courses that vary from the basic to the specialized. Courses in online nutrition degree programs include:
• Human nutrition
• Sports nutrition
• Community nutrition
• Science of food
• Metabolism
• Obesity
How Long Does it Take to Get an Online Bachelor's in Nutrition?
Most online Bachelor's degrees in Nutrition take 4 years to complete. As most universities only allow a student to take up to 20 credit hours per semester, this process can only reduced by a semester or two. A student with transfer credits from an associate program or another college can complete their degree much more quickly, depending on the number of transfer credits. On the other hand, a working student can attend part time, allowing them to finish the program at their own pace.
Accreditation for Online (Level) in Nutrition Degrees
Any student wishing to pursue an online degree in journalism should make sure the institution they are applying to has either national or regional accreditation. National accreditation is typically found at for-profit or trade schools while regional accreditation is often found at public universities and is usually considered more exacting. Accreditation is overseen by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and seven regional bodies of accreditation including the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
In the field of nutrition, there is an organization that accredits academic programs in nutrition. The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) ensures the quality of collegiate programs offering degrees in nutrition and dietetics.
Nutrition Licensure & Certification
Since their work relates to health and well-being, nutritionists face a rigorous certification program. While not required to work in the field, these certifications greatly elevate chances for employment and open up opportunities for professionals. The Registered Dietitian Nutrition (RDN) credential, which is for working in clinical settings and is administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, requires a Bachelor's degree and an ACEND-approved internship.
There is also the Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) examination requires a master's degree or a bachelor's plus an extended internship. The examination is 3 hours long. Entry to the examination program also requires board approval.
Nutrition Career Information
Anyone hoping to work in nutrition should consider pursuing a bachelor's degree, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists a BS as entry-level education. A master's would probably be preferrable. With one or both of these degrees, there are many jobs available to a perspective employee. Occupations for people with degrees in nutrition include:
• Nutritionist
• Personal trainer
• Health teacher
• Dietitian
• Food service manager
• Medical sales representative
• Food technologist
How to Become a Nutritionist
A nutritionist generally obtains a BS in nutrition or higher. They undergo hundreds of hours of supervised training, as in the aforementioned internships organized for certifications. These certifications are also typical, as they ensure the high level of knowledge and skill of the certified person. As many states require a license to practice, and since these certifications are time-consuming and demanding, anyone completing these programs and becoming certified will have a great chance of landing a job.
Nutritionists take on an important responsibility managing the health of their clients and patients. Training, supervision, and experience are vital components to their careers. According to the BLS, the median salary for a nutritionist is $61,270. The highest paid nutritionists work in outpatient care centers, earning a median of $68,000, while employees of nursing and residential care facilities earn $59,320.
How to Become a Health Educator
Many people with degrees in nutrition enter the world of education. These careers require a bachelor's degree, at minimum, and may require the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential, which is offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Certification involves passing an exam aimed at bachelor's degree-holding health educators and completing 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years.
According to the BLS, health educators earn a median salary of $55,220, but there is a wide range of pay for this occupation depending on the job. Health educators working in hospitals make a median income of $64,680 per year.
Professional Organizations for Nutrition
There are many organizations for professionals working in nutrition. There is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), the world's largest such organization with over 100,000 credentialed practitioners, was founded in 1917 to advance the profession of nutrition.
The American Nutrition Associations (ANA), founded in 1959, is made up of affiliate organizations such as American College of Nutrition, the Nutrition for Optimal Health Association, the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS), the Center for Nutrition Advocacy (CAN), and the Accreditation Council for Nutrition Professional Education (ACNPE). This family of organizations cover most aspects of the field.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Information for Nutrition Degrees
As an online degree in nutrition can be costly, a student may need to find financial help to allow them to attend the program of their choice. The first place a student should look is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what loans and grants they qualify for. Additionally, a student may apply for scholarships and grants from numerous national organizations, such as AND.
Some colleges offer internal scholarships for nutrition majors, such as Arizona State University, which offers them at all degree levels.
How to Choose an Online Nutrition Degree Program
As there are many online degree programs in nutrition, a student must determine their own needs and ambitions before choosing the right fit for them. A student should include factors such as finances, occupational intention, and schedule in their considerations. Use the National Center for Education Statistics' College Navigator tool to figure out the cost of a given program.
One thing that could assist in such decision making is knowing what career you hope to obtain. This will determine what level of degree is needed and, thus, which programs would most satisfy that need.
