Where can you get a degree in nutrition?
There are a number of schools where you can get a degree in nutrition; however, the question is, “What kind of degree in nutrition best suits my interests and career aspirations?”
Are you interested in a certificate program, designed primarily to enhance your own knowledge of nutrition; an associates degree in applied science in nutrition; a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, or a master’s degree in nutrition? Are you interested primarily in starting your own business as a nutrition consultant, or are you interested in working as a Registered Dietician? You need to answer these questions before looking into where to get a degree in nutrition.
Your answer to these questions are the key to finding the school and program that best fits your needs to get a degree in nutrition .
Let’s Look at Certificate Programs in Nutrition
Nutrition Degrees Are the Basis for a Great Career
Certificate programs in nutrition are meant to enhance your general knowledge of nutrition. They do not give you the in-depth knowledge to practice as a professional in the field of nutrition; however, a certificate program in nutrition can open doors to careers in related fields.
You might receive employment in a weight loss or fitness center, or as a consultant in a health food store who can make educated recommendations of dietary supplements, or as a produce buyer for a supermarket after obtaining a certificate in nutrition.
Here are some institutions that offer online certificates in nutrition:
- Ashworth College–Nutrition, Diet and Health Science Career Diploma
- Penn Foster Career School–Sports Nutrition Certificate
Associates Degrees in Nutrition
Associates Degrees in Nutrition will allow you to become a dietetic technician. Dietetic technicians may work in hospitals, nursing homes and schools. They help to implement nutrition programs in these facilities.
Dietetic technicians may work under the supervision of a Registered Dietician to provide initial screening of low-risk patients. For example, a dietetic technician may make notes of current medications that the patient may be taking in case there are certain foods that are contraindicated for the patient’s condition, and pass this information along to the Registered Dietician.
Dietetic technicians also ensure that procedures for safe food-handling are in place.
There may be some room for advancement, but generally most holder’s of associate degrees in nutrition decide to upgrade their education to at least a bachelor’s degree.
Where you can get an Associates Degree in Nutrition
- South University–AS in Allied Health Science
- Lincoln College of New England
Bachelors Degree in Nutrition
A bachelors degree in nutrition is the minimum level of education to become a professional in the field with possibility of career advancement and much higher pay than someone possessing only a certificate or associates degree in nutrition. Most graduates from bachelors degree in nutrition programs work towards becoming Registered Dieticians. The RD designation requires a post-graduate internship and continuing education studies.
Where you can get a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition Online
There are a good number of educational institutions offering nutrition degrees online. All schools will have their own admission criteria and prerequisites to enter the program. You will need at least a high-school diploma, with courses in chemistry and biology at a minimum to get a degree in nutrition.
Here is a list of some schools offering Bachelor of Nutrition Degrees Online:
- Kaplan University
- Walden University
- Keiser University-Bachelor of Science in Dietetics & Nutrition
Masters Degrees in Nutrition Online
Surprisingly, there are more online masters degree programs in nutrition available than any other type of degree if you want to get a degree in nutrition. You will need to have already completed a bachelors degree to be accepted into a masters degree in nutrition program, and have completed courses in physiology and anatomy, biochemistry and microbiology, among other courses.
The majority of Registered Dieticians hold masters degrees, in addition to completing intensive internships and passing rigorous licensing examinations.
If you want to complete your Masters Degree in Nutrition online, here is a list of schools to investigate:
- Hawthorn University
- University of Massachusetts Amhurst–Master of Public Health in Nutrition
- University of North Carolina–Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
- University of Alabama–Master of Science in Human Nutrition
- Northeastern University–Applied Nutrition Masters Degree
- University of Bridgeport
Get a Degree in Nutrition for a Bright Future
With the current interest in the role of nutrition in health and wellness, the job prospects for nutritionists continues to be bright. As our population continues to age, more and more specialists in nutrition will be needed to advise on the proper diet for health and vitality. As well, the increasing rate of obesity amongst all sectors of the population demands the response of qualified nutritionists to help end this health-depleting illness.
If you have a keen interest in vitality and health, a degree in nutrition can forge an interesting and fulfilling career. Decide on what level of education best fits your career aspirations, then look into schools where you can get a degree in nutrition.