A nutrition degree prepares you for a variety of jobs in health and wellness. You may become a nutritionist or dietitian, work in the food industry, design and sell nutritious foods or teach about eating well.
A bachelor’s degree in nutrition is a four-year program that requires 120 credit hours. It offers a broad education, including courses in biology, chemistry and statistics. It also helps you master topics like normal nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, institutional food service management and food technology.
You can earn a bachelor’s in nutrition by attending college or a vocational school. These schools usually require a high school diploma or GED certificate to apply.
Students can earn a nutrition degree in a classroom or online. Online learning allows you to study in your own time, so you can complete your degree at a pace that works for you. It is especially ideal for those who have a busy work or family life and can’t afford to miss class because they have to commute.
An associate degree in nutrition is an entry-level degree that teaches you the fundamentals of the field and enables you to pursue more advanced degrees. It is also a great option for those who want to change careers or take the first step toward a career in a related field.
If you’re interested in nutrition but don’t have enough time to attend classes full-time, an online nutrition degree can provide the flexibility and support you need. Taking your coursework online allows you to study from home, in the office, or while on vacation. You can even attend online courses in the mornings, late at night or on weekends.
In addition to a variety of academic requirements, an associate’s in nutrition will require you to pass an exam that demonstrates your knowledge of the subject. Some schools also require you to participate in a nutrition internship.
You’ll also find that most programs are designed to help you achieve your goal of becoming a licensed dietitian. A licensed dietitian will be able to use the skills and knowledge they’ve gained in the program to help others eat better, live longer and avoid disease.
Graduate certificates in nutrition are often available at 4-year colleges and universities, but some are offered at vocational or community colleges as well. These programs are geared toward professionals in the healthcare, education or food science industries and help them gain the skills they need to better serve their clients.
Many of these programs are also accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They can lead to careers in the private or public sectors.
A doctoral degree in nutrition is a research degree that is designed to help you perform original research and be at the forefront of the field of nutrition science. These doctorates are usually 4-6 years in length and include coursework, research requirements and a dissertation.
This degree is usually a requirement for those who want to become a registered dietitian, which means you can work in a hospital or other health care setting. You’ll also be able to teach and conduct research as a university professor or scientist. You can also choose to focus your studies on a specific area of nutrition such as sports nutrition, cancer research or food safety.