Online and Distance Learning

Nutrition degree programs provide the skills and knowledge required for becoming a registered dietitian or nutritionist.  This page gives you more information about what is involved in these programs, where you can study them, and the careers and salary prospects after completion.

Good nutrition is essential for maintaining good health.  Nutrition degree programs focus on the utilization of food that is for human growth and its metabolism, in regard to both the normal and dysfunctional states. The programs cover biochemistry, food science, dietetics, physiology, biotechnology, food and nutrition studies, clinical sciences and biophysics. If you like to contribute to the well being of others, then you can get yourself a career in this field with a degree in nutrition science.

Several degree titles can fall into this category, so you might also like to check out the pages on: Dietetics, Health Promotion and Public Health.

What is studied in nutrition degree programs?

The courses for a nutrition science degree focus heavily on the relationship between nutrition and human health. The students in this program learn how to enhance human health and also to help control many human diseases.

There are several programs that offer the students a chance to participate within clinical fields. These kinds of degrees can lead to the graduate getting careers in the dietetic profession, sports nutrition and the food industry. But, in most cases this kind of program is used as a good starting point for a student to become a registered dietitian or even for students dentistry or medicine.

There are several required courses to take in nutrition degree programs. The course work for this degree will include biology, biochemistry, psychology, anatomy, physiology, nutrition science, infectious diseases, food and culture, science of food, genetics, clinical work, ethics, computers, food service management, nutrition therapy, biochemistry, research and clinical work. In some cases courses in physics, math, ethics, English and economics. These courses will depend upon the requirements of the school.

There are several skills that the student will obtain through this program. The students who take this course will learn just how to plan food and nutritional programs and also supervise all preparations of meals. The students will also learn how to assess patients and also counsel individuals along with groups on how to prevent diseases and how to advance their own health. Students will also be taught the effects of foods on the human mental function and athletic function, along with resistance to many infections.

What about employment opportunities after completing a degree in nutrition science?

Obtaining a degree in this field allows students to choose from a variety of careers. Students can enter into the nutritional or dietetic industry or after they take a dietetic internship, they may go on to become a registered dietitian, or they can pursue the advanced degree in this field or dentistry, medicine or public health. 

The opportunities for graduates of nutrition degree programs are looking good. The Department of Labor predicts that nutritionist dietitian jobs are expected to increase for many occupations right through to the year 2014. This is because there is an increased emphasis on many disease preventions that can be stopped through better dieting for the aging population.  Hospitals are the biggest employers.

What about future prospects and salary after completing a nutrition degree program?

According to the U. S. Department of Labor, the average earnings for a jobs for nutritionist and dietitians are increasing at a fast rate and are expected to increase over the next several years.  The salaries will vary depending on an individuals years of experience, their level of education, the size of the community and the geographic area of employment, but the average salary is between US$39,994 and US$58,852 per year.  The students with some specialized training or the ones with a master degree in nutrition will have the better job opportunities.

For schools in Canada

Click here for a page that links to campus universities and campus colleges in Canada. It also provides some advice on choosing a suitable campus.

Click here and then enter your Canadian postal code to search for Canadian college or university campuses.

For more information about nutrition degree programs

Click here for related nutrition science degree programs.

Related professional areas to check are Dietetics, Health Education, Health Promotion, and Public Health.

Use this link to find nutrition degrees and schools near you.

Use the search facility on this site to find nutrition degree programs

Remember to compare the admission requirements and course content of several schools before you choose a program.

Campus-based degrees in nutrition science

For those students who feel that online learning and distance education is not for them, the web site also has a section on campus programs. 

You can also search for a program or a school near you.