What Is an Online Master's in Nutrition Degree?
An online master's degree in nutrition teaches students about how food and nutrients impact their health and wellness. This includes how proper nutrition can help treat and prevent illness. A master's degree allows students to elevate their careers in nutrition and expand their knowledge of how food affects their lives. Graduates of master's programs in nutrition learn how to help individuals and their communities so they can lead healthier lives.
A Master of Science (MS) in nutrition allows graduates to work in a variety of occupations and examine the needs of different groups of people. This includes careers such as dietitians, nutritionists, health educators, and nutrition specialists.
Why Should I Get an Online Nutrition Master's Degree?
An online master's degree helps those who are working in nutrition or healthcare advance their careers and become qualified to hold new positions. This degree allows graduates to become a Registered Dietician (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Students can continue to work as they earn their degree due to the flexibility an online degree provides. When earning this degree, professionals can choose an accelerated option and finish their degree early or enroll part-time and finish at their leisure. By personalizing their degree, students can fit their studies into their busy schedules and finish at their own pace.
A benefit of an online degree is that students can choose to apply to programs at universities that they would normally be unable to attend in person. Students can choose from in-state or out-of-state universities' online programs and complete their coursework from wherever they are located.
The Best Online Masters Degree Programs in Nutrition
| School | Tuition* | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern Mississippi | $8896 | 97% | 49% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 2 | Texas Woman's University | $7497 | 93% | 43% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 3 | University of North Dakota | $12058 | 81% | 61% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 4 | Utah State University | $7003 | 91% | 54% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 5 | University of Arizona | $13271 | 85% | 65% | 91% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 6 | University of Memphis | $10746 | 85% | 53% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 7 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus | $12744 | 93% | 56% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 8 | East Carolina University | $7535 | 79% | 66% | 79% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 9 | Murray State University | $9114 | 82% | 55% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 10 | Immaculata University | $12780 | 81% | 67% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 11 | Kansas State University | $11277 | 95% | 65% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 12 | University of Kansas | $11045 | 93% | 67% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 13 | Central Michigan University | $17150 | 70% | 61% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 14 | Auburn University | $11504 | 81% | 79% | 72% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 15 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | $11673 | 45% | 82% | 68% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 16 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | $12340 | 75% | 77% | 81% | No | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 17 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | $16209 | 64% | 82% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 18 | Canisius College | $15480 | 83% | 73% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 19 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | $19983 | 61% | 84% | 71% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 20 | University of Central Arkansas | $6539 | 90% | 43% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 21 | SUNY Oneonta | $12497 | 56% | 76% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 22 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $12180 | 54% | 88% | 61% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 23 | The University of Texas at Austin | $11998 | 32% | 86% | 67% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 24 | University of Georgia | $11168 | 45% | 87% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 25 | Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | $28362 | No Available Data (2019-2020) | 69% | 89% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.
*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Choosing an Online Nutrition Master's Program
Students should consider several factors when choosing an online master's degree in nutrition, including program requirements, concentrations, coursework, and the format it is offered in. This includes whether the program can be completed entirely online or is offered in a hybrid format consisting of online and in-person courses. When choosing a master's degree in nutrition, many universities offer different variations of this degree. This degree may be offered as a Master's in Nutrition and Dietetics, Human Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, or Nutritional Science.
The core coursework varies depending on the specific degree chosen. Some universities may offer a wide range of electives or concentrations that allows students to personalize their degrees. This prepares graduates to work in a wide range of industries, such as in healthcare, and work in different settings such as hospitals or medical centers. Alternatively, graduates can also work for corporations, athletic departments or schools. They may also choose to work as health educators or researchers based on their personal and professional goals. Students should consider the occupation they plan on working in to see which degree is best suited to get them there.
How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Nutrition?
In order to earn a master's in nutrition, it usually takes around 2 years and the completion of 30 to 40 credits. However, an online degree provides students with the opportunity to earn their degree in less time. Some universities offer accelerated programs and work with students to help them finish their degree in less time. Due to the additional flexibility and scheduling options, some online master's degrees in nutrition can be completed in less than 2 years, depending on the program.
Curriculum for Online Master's Degree Programs in Nutrition
The core coursework for a master's degree in nutrition is based in research and developing a deep understanding of how nutrition impacts people's health and wellbeing throughout their lives. This involves taking core courses in nutrition research methods and assessing nutrition through different stages of life. Students also have the opportunity to take a wide range of additional and elective courses in areas such as clinical nutrition, human nutrition, and health communication. This degree is typically offered as a Master of Science (MS).
Nutrition Foundational Courses
The core courses in an online master's degree in nutrition teach students about the role of food and nutrients when it comes to managing their health. This involves examining how nutrients impact growth and development, the nutrition required in the different stages of life, and how food and proper nutrition can be used to treat and prevent diseases and illnesses.
Foundational courses for a master's degree in nutrition typically include:
- Research Methods in Nutrition
- Food Policy
- Nutrition and Disease
- Nutrition and Metabolism
Additionally, some master's degree programs in nutrition require the completion of a thesis or capstone project.
Nutrition Specialist and Elective Courses
Many master's degrees in nutrition allow students to select additional courses based on their area of interest. For instance, a student who wants to work in clinical nutrition can choose courses such as applied clinical nutrition research or applied clinical nutrition research statistics. Students can also choose to specialize in human nutrition and take courses such as nutrition education methods, behavior change in health promotion, or community health. In addition, students can choose elective courses that allow them to apply nutrition to certain groups of individuals.
These courses may include:
- Sports Nutrition
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Nutrition and Aging
- Obesity and Eating Disorders
- Nutrition Education and Coaching
Depending on the degree, students may also take courses in biochemistry, biostatistics, or food chemistry as a part of their degree.
Licensure and Certification in Nutrition
Students who plan on becoming a dietitian or nutritionist usually need a state license, but requirements vary depending on the state and specific occupation a student is looking to hold. The Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides a wide range of specific licensure and certification requirements on their website. The CDR offers information on RD and RDN certifications and has many resources for students and graduates of dietetics programs. Here students can find a state by state guide on licensure requirements.
Admissions Requirements for Online Nutrition Master's Programs
Before applying to an online master's degree in nutrition, students should make sure they meet the necessary requirements. One of the admission requirements for a master's degree program is having earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. This may be a bachelor's in nutrition or bachelor's in another related field. Those who are applying to master's degree programs usually need to have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA while earning their previous degree.
Specific requirements may vary depending on particular universities, but students usually have to submit official transcripts, GRE test scores, letters of recommendation, a personal statement and a resume. Students may also be required to pay an application fee and prove that they are currently registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) as an RDN.
What Can I Do with a Nutrition Master's Degree?
With a master's degree in nutrition, graduates can choose to work as dietitians, nutritionists or health educators. Other occupations include nutrition educators, nutrition managers, nutrition counselors, or food regulation/policy makers. Students can also choose to work as researchers and continue their studies in nutrition, or work as health educators that teach others about nutrition.
Graduates can work as specific types of nutritionists. This includes working with children as a Pediatric Nutritionist, and helping young people make healthy decisions and to ensure kids get proper nutrition as they grow up. Graduates can also work as Sports Nutritionists and create nutrition plans for athletes or athletic teams. Graduates can work in a variety of work settings, such as in hospitals, medical offices, health facilities, corporations, athletic departments, or schools and institutions.
Job Outlook for a Master's in Nutrition
A master's degree in nutrition provides graduates with the opportunity for career advancement and to establish their professional careers within the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth occupations in nutrition such as dietitians, nutritionists, health educators and community health workers are expected to increase much faster than average. This is in part because individuals are interested in having a deeper understanding of the role that food plays when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition can be used to prevent and treat diseases. Professionals in this field educate people on how to make healthy choices to improve their overall wellness, which reduces the need for further medical treatment.
How to Become a Dietitians or Nutritionists
Dietitians and Nutritionists work with people to help them lead a healthy lifestyle through their food choices. Their work includes making sure people gain an understanding of proper nutrition and the impact food can have on the body. Dietitians and nutritionists may also help clients to reach a specific health goal, such as weight loss or how to use nutrition to manage diseases or medical conditions. This also includes sports and fitness nutritionists who help athletes make food choices to maintain their fitness. These professionals help advise people on what foods they should and should not eat to meet their health goals. In order to work in this occupation, you typically need a bachelor's degree. Applicants may also need to complete supervised training and may need to be licensed depending on the state in which they are located.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of dietitians and nutritionists is expected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029. Food can play a large role when it comes to addressing medical conditions and impacting overall wellness. This has led more people to consult with dietitians and nutritionists to figure out the best way for them to stay healthy. As of May 2019, The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $61,270, according to the BLS.
How to Become a Health Educators and Community Health Workers
Health educators teach people about healthy behaviors and connect them with programs and resources that may help them reach their goals. Community health workers work to gather data about communities or specific populations. These professionals also evaluate the health needs of people and their communities. This may include providing informal counseling and social support, or connecting people with healthcare services. In order to work as a community health worker, you typically need to have at least a high school diploma and complete job training. To work as a health educator, you need at least a bachelor's degree, but some positions require applicants to have a master's or doctoral degree in nutrition or a related field. Additionally, many employers require applicants to have the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential to work in some positions.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of health educators and community health workers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2019 to 2029. As of May 2019, the median annual wage for community health workers was $40,360 and $55,220 for health education specialists.
Common Undergraduate Degrees for Nutrition
Undergraduate degrees for an online master's in nutrition include an associates or bachelor's in nutrition. An associate's degree in nutrition may be offered as an Associate of Arts (AA), but is usually an Associate of Science (AS) degree. This degree provides students with an introduction to nutrition. This degree may be completed at a community college in preparation to transfer to a four year university. An associates degree consists of 60 credits and can be completed in 2 years.
Most careers in nutrition require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degrees in nutrition are most commonly offered as Bachelor of Science (BS). Oftentimes students can choose a specific focus for their degree such as dietetics, nutritional science, or nutrition and health. Some of these programs may combine a certification with the degree to help students work in particular careers upon graduation. A bachelor's degree in nutrition consists of at least 120 credits and is typically completed in 4 years.
Postgraduate Options After Completing a Master's in Nutrition
Students can choose to continue their education in nutrition and obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nutrition. Some programs may also offer a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN). This degree is research-based which allows students to explore health concerns and medical issues. This coursework prepares students to have their original work published in peer-reviewed journals. Graduates of these programs can hold positions in healthcare organizations, state and local health departments, government, and culinary organizations to name a few. Graduates can also work as educators, researchers, or policy makers and be leaders in the field of nutrition. This degree often requires the completion of a dissertation. Typically, it takes 3 to 6 years to earn this degree.
Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants for Online Master's in Nutrition Programs
Just like for undergraduate programs, those interested in earning a graduate degree should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to see if they qualify for any federal aid. There are several types of financial aid that can help students pay for their education including grants, which is money that does not need to be repaid; and loans, which is borrowed money that needs to be paid back with interest.
Students can find a variety of scholarships depending on their background, achievements, and career path. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, offers many scholarships, awards and grants to graduate students studying the field of dietetics, food, and nutrition. This includes scholarships to professionals working in nutrition who have made contributions to the field, awards that support training and educational opportunities, and fellowships to students to pursue doctoral studies.
