Online Nutrition Degree Programs

Online nutrition degrees are quickly emerging, especially at the Master's level. Online and on-campus nutrition programs will cover the same information and prepare you for the same roles. Online nutrition programs allow reading and lecture videos for coursework like Public Health Nutrition, Community Nutrition, Nutritional Guidelines and more to be completed on your own time, ensuring more flexibility to fit coursework into individual schedules. A lot of coursework within a nutrition degree is focused on dietetic research and nutritional science studies, which bodes well for studying online.

Are there online Nutrition degree programs?

Yes, the most common online degree offerings include a bachelors or masters degree in nutrition or dietetics.

Types of online degrees in Nutrition

There are multiple 100% online degrees in Nutrition. Here is a good place to start:

• Online Bachelor of Nutrition programs
• Online Master of Nutrition programs
• Schools with online nutrition degrees, by state
• Online ACEND Accredited dietetics programs
• Online MPH in Nutrition degrees
• Online Clinical Nutrition degree programs

There are many options to receive either a Bachelors or Masters in Nutrition online. The most common career students embark on when seeking a nutrition degree is dietetics, or to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. All students pursuing a career in dietetics will need a Masters degree, which many schools offer (more on the RDN requirement below).

As of 2024 you now need a Masters degree to become a RDN

If you choose to pursue a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist you can get your online degree in nutrition and dietetics, but an in-person internship is required to sit for the Registered Dietitian exam. As of this year (2024), a Masters degree will be required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Some online nutrition and dietetics degrees will incorporate scheduled internship hours, while others require you to set up your own rotations to complete the internship component.

For those not seeking the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential, a nutrition degree can be utilized in some settings, including that of a Registered Dietitian Technician, Certified Health Coach, Food Service Manager, Health Program Specialist, and much more. Most schools also have emphasis areas where one can specialize in a specific nutrition setting, such as sports or public health.

Are there online Bachelors in Nutrition degrees?

Yes, currently there are online Bachelor of Nutrition degree programs available at many universities. Most of the online Bachelors in Nutrition degrees are designed to help students become Registered Dietitians. Some students will pursue the degree and not become Registered Dietitians, but there is limitation to what you can do with your degree without the credentials. Another option is to become a Registered Dietitian Technician, which is someone who assists in the provision of food service and nutrition programs under the supervision of a Registered Dietitian.

Online Bachelors in Nutrition degrees may change in the future and will be just the beginning of your nutrition and dietetics journey. In 2024, the requirement to be a Registered Dietitian will change to having a Masters degree instead of a Bachelors degree.

Many programs have transitioned to either partially remote or completely remote programs. Some programs have been remote for a long time, including the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics degree from Kansas State University, or the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition degree from Northern Colorado University.

There are currently seven different online Bachelor of Science in Nutrition or Dietetics degrees available at ACEND accredited universities.

Are there online Masters in Nutrition degrees?

Yes, with the requirement for a Masters in Nutrition degree changing soon for Registered Dietitians, many universities are starting to offer remote graduate opportunities. There are currently 27 ACEND-accredited online Master in Nutrition degrees available.

Many online Masters in Nutrition degrees will dive deeper into the nutrition curriculum, but also give an opportunity to dive into a focus area such as sports nutrition or public health nutrition. A research project is required to graduate. Depending on the program, the research project may be assigned to you, or you may be the one to put together your own research focus area.

Review of online ACEND accredited Nutrition degree programs

University of Arizona – Bachelor of Science in Nutrition

This program can be completely done virtually, with the option to also enroll in the online graduate program after completion. The University of Arizona also offers a variety of Bachelors of Science nutrition emphasis degrees, including Nutritional Science, Nutrition and Food Systems, Nutrition and Human Performance, and Precision Nutrition and Wellness.

The nutrition courses in these programs vary based on area of focus. The emphasis in Nutritional Science focuses on a career in dietetics and includes various classes such as dietetics, food product development, food management, sports nutrition, and much more. The Nutrition and Food Systems emphasis focuses on sustainable food and farming. Nutrition and Human Performance focuses on athletic or physical performance and nutrition, taking a sports nutrition route. The Precision Nutrition and Wellness option focuses on the biochemistry of nutrition including nutrition, genetics, and medicine advances.

Pursuing a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential is not required, but there are options to pursue that if a student would like to. Online graduate degrees are also available with focus areas in Applied Dietetics, Nutrition and Wellness, and Applied Nutrition. After completion of a Bachelors in Nutrition, students are eligible to apply for a graduate program if desired. Those looking to become Registered Dietitians will automatically enroll in one of these programs starting in January 2024.

Kansas State University – Bachelors and Masters of Science in Dietetics, Nutritional Sciences, Nutrition and Health, or Sports Nutrition

This program can be completely done virtually with an emphasis on helping students become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. The online Bachelors of Science in Dietetics can be combined with emphasis areas including nutritional sciences, nutrition and health, and sports nutrition.

Minors and certificates are also included as options for those not seeking a career in dietetics, such as a certificate in community health or health coaching. Graduate programs are also available online, such as Dietetics, Food Science, Nutrition and Sensory Sciences, and Public Health.

For those with goals of becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, the success rate of getting accepted into a dietetic internship and passing the board exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is high, both at 96%. For those seeking a career in dietetics and are pursuing an online degree this program is highly rated.

University of Alabama – Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition, Master of Science in Human Nutrition

The University of Alabama is a well-rounded online option. There are two options, a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition and Master of Science in Human Nutrition. An Accelerated Masters Program (AMP) is an option for those who want to get a jump start on their masters degree while working on their bachelors.

The University of Alabama online nutrition degree programs focus on careers in health care facilities, community-health-nutrition programs, food-service management and business. The dietetics route is an option if one would like to pursue, but is not mandatory.

What do you study in an online nutrition degree?

While exact courses may vary depending on programs, specializations, and desired career paths, biology, anatomy, and psychology form the scientific foundation for any nutrition degree. Studies will then take that foundation and expand it to a broader worldview, asking students to analyze the way nutritional needs vary greatly from person to person or for differing populations.

Top courses for an Online Nutrition Degree

Human Nutrition

This class outlines the basic concepts of human nutrition which include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, absorption, digestion, metabolism, and energy utilization as they relate to health and food consumption at different stages of the life cycle.

Public Health Nutrition

This class trains you how to focus on the promotion of good health, wellness, quality of life, and prevent nutrition-related illnesses in the population. You will learn to do community health assessments, create programs that help the public’s nutrition and health needs, and assess current programs for success. There are also online public health nutrition degrees available.

Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism

In this course you will get a basic understanding of how nutrients play a role in metabolism, physiology, and gene expression. It also provides a comprehensive overview of the nutritional needs for different demographics.

Community Nutrition

This course focuses on the principles and programs developed to improve the dietary intake and the nutritional status of individuals and groups within a community. This is also a key place to add in learning about motivational interviewing skills when working with clients or patients one-on-one.

Food Science

This course outlines the basics of food chemistry, product development, foo safety, and chemical compounds in foods. It usually includes a food science lab where hands-on cooking activities are done.

What can you do with an online nutrition degree?

With a degree in nutrition, there are many options to choose from. Most students pursue their Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential which opens the door to many different opportunities. Registered Dietitians can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, school nutrition, nursing homes, gyms, government agencies, corporate wellness, integrative medicine, sports nutrition, or in private practice.

Some jobs will require the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential. With an abundance of options, pursuing an online nutrition degree can be greatly utilized.

Alternative options to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is to take the exam to be a Registered Dietitian Technician, or become a Certified Health Coach. Nutrition degrees can also be utilized as a prerequisite degree to health professions including Physician Assistant or Medical Doctor schools.

Those with a nutrition degree without the dietitian credentials can work in public health settings, food service management, food production, or government agencies. Some jobs require a dietitian-specific credential, but for those that do not require it are options for those with degrees in nutrition.

Common nutrition careers

• Clinical Dietitian: Assist patients admitted into the hospital with nutrition needs, including diet education, tube feed or parenteral nutrition calculations, assess malnutrition risk, and ensure patients are meeting nutritional needs.

• Average salary for a clinical dietitian: $66,490
• Health Education Specialist: Generally works for a government entity or in a public health setting, health education specialists assess health needs of individuals and communities and work to develop programs based on assessment results. They develop materials, teach people about certain health topics, and help to manage chronic conditions. They also evaluate program effectiveness and make changes as needed. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential is not required.

• Average salary for a health education specialist: $64,930
• Sports Dietitian Nutritionist: Counsels athletes in a variety of settings including high school, collegiate, or professional settings. They can sometimes be sport-specific, or have the role to provide nutrition counseling and support to all athletes. Their main role is to ensure athletes meet optimal nutrition for training, competition, recovery, weight management, hydration, and travel demands. They also screen for potential malnutrition risk or disordered eating behaviors and help athletes learn how to fuel themselves for both performance and health.

• Average salary for a sports dietitian: $72,470
• School Food Service Manager: This role typically works in a specific school or school area. They supervise the food service staff and set schedules, train and enforce food service standards, and assist their food service workers to meet school nutrition standards and serve meals according to USDA guidelines.

• Average salary for school food service managers: $73,440