Clinical Nutrition Degree Programs, Online Included

Reviewed and updated April 4, 2024 by
Written by Mary Ahern, RDN
Mary Ahern, RDN
Registered Dietitian; MS in Nutrition, BS in Nutrition (Arizona State University).

There are multiple online Clinical nutrition Bachelor's and Master's degree programs available. Many universities offer online Bachelor's degrees in many different types of nutrition degrees. This includes Clinical Nutrition, Nutrition/dietetics, Nutrition Education, and Food and Nutrition. Bachelor's in Nutrition degrees are usually full-time commitments that take 4 years.

Master's in Nutrition degrees can be full-time or part-time, with a completion time of 2-3 years. There are online Master's degree programs in nutrition available, such as Clinical Nutrition, Applied Nutrition, Food and Nutrition, and Public Health Nutrition degrees.

What to expect in a clinical nutrition degree program at any level

Clinical Nutrition degree programs include a wide variety of courses. Students take a lot of science-based courses such as Chemistry, Physiology, or Biology. Nutrition programs also include nutrition-related topics like nutrition 101, life cycle nutrition, or clinical nutrition. Students can even take cooking classes and food service classes. In Master's programs, students will specialize more, taking classes such as nutrition assessment, macronutrient metabolism, and nutrition communication.

School Program Admissions
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill MPH/Registered Dietitian (MPH/RD)
Three CEPH-accredited concentrations: MPH Leadership, MPH Nutrition, MPH Registered Dietitian (MPH/RD).
Arizona State University Online Master of Science in Nutritional Science – Dietetics
Select from topics including sports nutrition, pediatric nutrition and obesity prevention to tailor your degree to your professional interests.
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Are there Clinical Nutrition degree programs online?

Yes, there are many online Clinical Nutrition degree programs available for students who want to pursue a career in nutrition. These programs are similar in the curriculum to traditional on-campus programs. Online programs offer flexibility and convenience, as students can finish coursework on their own time. This allows them to balance their education with work and personal responsibilities.

When pursuing a career in the field of nutrition, it is important to determine whether you want to be a Dietitian. This will help you narrow down which type of online program is right for you. Degree programs in Clinical Nutrition will likely include dietetics courses. But, there are many nutrition degrees, both Bachelor’s and Master’s, that will not include dietetics courses. To ensure the program contains the correct dietetics courses, check to see if the program is accredited with ACEND. Below we discuss specific online nutrition programs for Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees.

Are there online Bachelors in Clinical Nutrition degrees?

There are several online clinical nutrition bachelor's degrees. These online undergraduate programs offer a range of class options. The clinical nutrition major allows students to tailor their education to the basics of nutrition and dietetics, and to help them get started with an undergraduate degree that will transition into their Master's program.

Online programs are often more affordable than traditional on-campus programs. They may have lower tuition and students can save money on housing and commuting costs. An online Clinical Nutrition Bachelor's degree program offers a convenient and cost-effective way to gain the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in the field of nutrition.

According to the ACEND website, there are several degree types and universities you can attend. Many of which offer an online option. Several Universities that offer ACEND-accredited online degrees include; Arizona State University, the University of Alabama, Rutgers University, and the University of Colorado to name a few. Degrees available include Clinical Nutrition, Nutrition/ Dietetics, Nutrition Education, and Food and Nutrition. These degrees take 4 years.

Are there online Masters in Clinical Nutrition degrees?

There are several reasons why someone might want to pursue a Clinical Nutrition Master's degree online. Often, Master’s students are also working professionals. This makes an online degree a convenient option to further their careers. Additionally, starting in 2024, all student’s looking to become dietitians will need Master's degrees. Therefore, online Master's degrees in nutrition and nutrition-related fields are becoming more popular.

Many online Clinical Nutrition Master's degree programs offer quality education, experienced faculty, and a rigorous curriculum. This means that students can receive a high-quality education without the need to relocate or disrupt their current lives. Online programs often have lower tuition costs and fewer expenses, such as room and board, making them a more affordable option. Overall, online Master's degrees can provide the same level of education and career opportunities as an on-campus program, with the benefit of flexibility and lower costs.

Some specific universities include the University of North Carolina, the University of Georgia, the University of Houston, and the University of Texas at Austin. Degree titles include Clinical Nutrition, Applied Nutrition, Food and Nutrition, and Public Health Nutrition. There are even some part-time options for students. These degrees take 2-3 years.

Review of top ACEND accredited online Clinical Nutrition degrees

If you are looking to pursue a career as a Dietitian, consider a program that is ACEND-accredited. ACEND accreditation ensures that the program meets the highest standards of academic quality and rigor. Only after students complete ACEND-accredited programs can they apply for their Dietetic Internship. These specific accredited programs are typically listed as Nutrition (Dietetics) Bachelor’s degrees. As of January 1, 2024, a Master's degree is now required to become a Dietitian. Therefore, online nutrition Master's programs are becoming more popular and in demand.

Online degree programs for Clinical Nutrition vary in popularity based on cost-effectiveness, degrees offered, and length/ time commitment. ACEND-accredited Bachelor’s degrees allow you to apply to dietetic internships upon completion. Courses taken in all ACEND-accredited Bachelor’s degrees include medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, and lifecycle nutrition. Students also take more basic science classes like Chemistry, Biology, Organic Chemistry, and Physiology. Examples of top online programs are listed below.

University of Arizona- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition

The University of Arizona (UA) is known for its quality education that won’t break the bank. Their online nutrition program offers two different emphases, either Nutritional Science or Dietetics. Like most programs, these options vary based on the student's intended career. In particular, their online dietetics emphasis is an online ACEND-accredited dietetics program.

Classes offered in their nutritional science program differ from traditional dietetics classes. At the University of Arizona, their online nutrition degree prepares students for a science-based career or graduate school. Classes in this degree include, "Diet, Genes, and Disease", "Sports Nutrition", and "Experimental Learning in Nutritional Sciences".

University of Alabama - Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition

The University of Alabama is a highly rated, economical, and flexible online nutrition degree. Students are able to take as many credits as they want in a given semester. This program is also ACEND accredited and allows you to apply for a dietetic internship upon completion. Unlike the other top programs on this list, the online University of Alabama program only offers one online nutrition degree. This degree is best suited for individuals who want to go on to become a Dietitian.

University of Kansas - Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Health

The University of Kansas is a top online Bachelor's in Nutrition degree program. The cost of this program is similar whether you are in-state or out-of-state. This program is also customizable and flexible to your interests and future career needs. Like other programs, The University of Kansas online program offers two different degrees. One is an accredited dietetics program and the other is a general nutrition degree.

Classes in the general, "Nutrition and Health" degree is best for students who want to work in the nutrition field but do not want to be a Dietitian. This pathway includes less of the basic science classes like Chemistry and Biology and focuses more on public health and health education.

University of Utah- Masters of Science in Nutrition

The University of Utah has one of the best online nutrition Master's degree programs in the country. This degree program focuses on preparing nutrition professionals to better use their research and scientific skills. Classes include Macronutrient Metabolism, Nutritional Biochemistry, and Nutrition Policy. Like most Master's degrees, this program has plenty of opportunities for elective credits that can help align your degree with your interests.

A big caveat to most online Master's programs is that they are not ACEND-accredited, like this program. This means that while it is a good program, it does not cover the curriculum needed to apply for a dietetic internship. Those courses would need to be completed during your Bachelor's degree.

Top courses for an Online Clinical Nutrition Degree

If you’re pursuing an online Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Nutrition (Dietetics), there are several types of courses. Foundational nutrition classes help you understand the basics of food and nutrition. Courses such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology will provide a deeper understanding of the workings of the human body and its complex systems. These courses help develop an understanding of the ways in which nutrition can affect different aspects of health.

Once you understand basic nutrition and science, you will move on to medical nutrition classes. These combine an understanding of the human body with the foundations of nutrition. This will help you understand how nutrition relates to disease and health outcomes. Lastly, you will take courses in food service, management, and even cooking classes. This will help you understand all the different aspects of the dietetics field. With these courses and more, an online Bachelor’s in Nutrition (Dietetics) can prepare you for a career in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

Nutrition 101: The basics of nutrition science

One of the most important courses is Introduction to Nutrition Science. This course will provide a foundation in the scientific principles that underlie nutrition. In particular, you will learn the ways in which food is broken down by the body and used for energy and nutrients. It will cover the basics of food science and the role of nutrients in health and disease.

Medical Nutrition Therapy

This course will introduce you to the principles and practices of using nutrition to prevent and manage disease. It will cover the use of nutrition as part of the overall treatment plan for health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and many more.

Food Service Systems Management

This course deals with the planning, management, and operation of food service systems in a variety of settings. This class will be important if you plan to work in healthcare facilities, schools, or other food service environments. Here you will learn the workings of a kitchen, how to plan a meal, procure food, and much more.

What can you do with a Clinical Nutrition degree?

A Clinical Nutrition Degree can open up a wide range of career opportunities in the healthcare industry. As a Dietitian, you can work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices to provide nutritional counseling to patients. You can develop personalized diet plans for patients based on their health conditions and dietary needs.

Additionally, many outpatient facilities employ Dietitians to help patients manage their diseases. Dietitians for conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease are an important part of the healthcare team. Dietitians also work as part of the food service management field. Working in large industrial kitchens in hospitals or schools, Dietitians create the menus and keep the kitchens running. You can also work as a Diet Technician, assisting the Dietitians in hospitals and ensuring that patients receive the right meals.

With a Clinical Nutrition degree, you can also work in research and development for the food and healthcare industries. You can analyze the nutritional value of food products and develop new, healthy food products. You can also conduct research on the impact of nutrition on various health conditions and diseases.

You can also use your clinical nutrition degree to work in public health by promoting healthy eating habits and preventing chronic diseases through nutrition education and community outreach programs. Individuals with a nutrition background can teach health curricula and help implement nutrition programs. Overall, a Clinical Nutrition degree offers a rewarding career path that allows you to help individuals improve their health and well-being through proper nutrition.