Ohio Nutrition Degree Programs, Online Included

Reviewed and updated August 29, 2024 by

Melissa Darlow, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), Masters in Clinical Nutrition (New York University).

There are nutrition degrees in Ohio at all degree levels, from Bachelors to Masters levels. There are 3 online nutrition degree programs and 19 on campus nutrition degrees in Ohio. There are 15 nutrition programs that are ACEND accredited (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Education).

ACEND accredited nutrition programs meet the requirements to move onto the dietetic internship. Once the DI is complete and a Master's degree is obtained, students can sit for the CDR exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Are there online Nutrition or Dietician degree programs in Ohio?

Yes, there are three online nutrition degrees available in Ohio. Bowling Green State University has a BS in Didactic Program, Consortium of Eastern Ohio has a MPH in Nutrition and Union Institute & University has a MA of Applied Nutrition and Dietetics.

In depth review of top online nutrition degrees in Ohio

Bowling Green State University - Online Master of Science in Food and Nutrition

Bowling Green State University has a 100% online Dietetics degree. This program allows students the flexibility to learn from any location and balance their work schedules. Up to 30 students enroll each year. This program is tailored to those who already have a degree and are seeking the Verification Statement. As well as individuals who hold a Dietetic Technician (NDTR) credential and want to become a RD. The program can be completed in 4 semesters and there are 3 start dates per year. Program major courses include Introduction to Dietetics, Food and Culture and Nutrition Care Process. Other Required Courses include Microbiology, General Chemistry and General Psychology.

To enroll in the Online Dietetics program, students must have access to a computer and reliable internet connection. Additionally, students need access to a kitchen to complete the required lab courses.

Despite being offered online, the Nutrition department at BGSU values student connection. There is a Student Nutrition Association to connect all dietetic students, and online students are welcome to join. The Students Nutrition Association runs monthly meetings to discuss current issues and interests within the field.

Bowling Green State University also has a Master of Food and Nutrition program. This program is designed for students interested in advancing their knowledge on food and nutrition or who have a BS degree in the field. It is available both on campus and online. The online option allows students to set their own schedule. Courses include Micronutrients Through the Life Span, Community and Public Health and Research Methods. There are 31 total credits. Students are given up to six years to fulfill the degree requirements.

To be admitted to the program, applicants must have an undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. A personal statement, three letters of recommendation and resume are also needed.

Consortium of Eastern Ohio - MPH

The Consortium of Eastern Ohio Master of Public Health (CEOMPH) program is an accredited partnership between four universities in Eastern Ohio. This partnership includes Cleveland State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, The University of Akron and Youngstown State University. This program is unique because it allows for distance learning through webinars and online classes. Students can take class from anywhere in the world. There are 42 total credit hours and the program can take 1-6 years to complete. Enrollment is offered in spring, summer and fall semesters.

While the program's general focus is on improving public health through research and service, there is also a specific nutrition track offered through Youngstown State University. This track is 43 semester credit hours. Courses include Nutrition and Aging, Current Nutrition Concepts and Dietetics Practicum.

The MPH is accredited by the Council on education for Public Health. To be considered for admission, students must have a bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA. No GRE necessary.

Union Institute & University - Online MS in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics

Union Institute & University has an ACEND accredited Master of Arts in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics. The MS is a new entry-level graduate program. Courses are offered online and combined with supervised experiential learning. There are 47 total credit hours. Both full and part time options are available. Students can enroll in January, May or August and can complete the degree in less than 2 years. Required courses include Human Metabolism, Anatomy and Physiology and Research Methods. There are a few experimental courses such as Leadership and Food Systems. A final thesis is also required to graduate.

The online program allows students to learn at their own pace. Online courses can be accessed 24/7 and the small class size gives students direct support from faculty. The program also features a specialized track in Human Lactation Studies. This specialization meets the requirements to sit for the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) exam.

In addition to online coursework, students must participate in supervised experiential learning. The sites are both remote and student identified. There is a Clinical and Curriculum Coordinator that works directly with students to secure learning sites. Students do not need to travel to Ohio for the internship but instead can work remotely or in the location of their choice.

Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree as well as a completed undergraduate chemistry course. Three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose are also needed. No GRE necessary/

Online nutrition degrees in Ohio

Are there ACEND accredited nutrition and dietetic degrees in Ohio?

Yes, there are 18 ACEND accredited nutrition and dietetic degrees available in Ohio. Of those, 12 lead to a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, 3 are Associate degrees, 2 are Dietetic Technician programs and 8 are Masters degrees.

In depth review of top ACEND accredited nutrition programs in Ohio

Ohio State University - MS of Dietetics and Nutrition

Ohio State University has an ACEND accredited Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. The program is an innovative, two year degree that combines didactic courses and the dietetic internship. The program is in the joint program of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and College of Education and Human Ecology. The curriculum is only offered in person and there are no provisions for part time or evening-only students. There are prerequisites in order to be considered for admission. Prerequisite courses include Algebra, Intro to Nutrition, Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry. Core courses of the program include Nutrition Education and Counseling, Food Science and Nutrition Assessment.

Admission into the MS at Ohio State requires a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Students must also submit proof of the DPD verification statement and fill out an online application. No GRE necessary.

Case Western University- BS, BA and MS in Nutrition and MPH in Nutrition

Case Western University has a Master of Science in Nutrition that can be completed in 1-2 years, depending on the course load. There are 30 total graduate credit hours and at least 21 total credits come from elective nutrition courses. Case Western is ranked #2 among the top Master's degrees in Nutrition. Case Western is known to give strong financial aid to its students and supports blended learning. Blended learning features 26 nutrition courses that can be taken online and or in person. There is also a combined Dietetic Internship/ Master's Degree Program which combines coursework with clinical practice. The Master's degree and supervised experience can be completed within 17 months. Students in the DI may be matched with the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and willl receive a stipend to reduce tuition costs.

Case Western also has a dual-degree program that features a Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Nutrition. This program is offered jointly by the Departments of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences and Nutrition. The degree combines courses from nutrition, biochemistry and public health. Students can apply directly to this program or begin the MS in Nutrition and decide later on to participate in the dual degree. Alumni of the dual degree go on to work in public policy, community-based health non-profit organizations as well as hospital outreach. Graduates can even serve as health emissaries to foreign countries regarding nutrition.

There are also a number of undergraduate degrees in Nutrition available at Case Western. Students can choose from a BS or BA degree in Nutrition as well as a BS and BA in Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism.

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition prepares students for further training or graduate studies in Nutrition, Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing. It features the DPD curriculum and is ACEND accredited. The Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition differs from the BS in only 1 aspect. The BA does not require Principles of Chemistry or Statistics. The BA is tailored towards students who want to study Nutrition but also want to double major or complete a dual-degree. Both the BS and BA have similar courses and electives such as Food As Medicine, Food Science and Vitamins and Minerals.

The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism focuses on the study of nutrients and their metabolic functions. These tracks are frequently combined with other majors such as Psychology or Chemistry. Many students chose this degree as it requires the pre-health curriculum. Within the program there are 18 units of required nutrition courses, 9 units of nutrition electives and 50 additional units. Nutrition courses include Human Nutrition, Vitamins and a senior capstone experience. Electives include Diabetes Prevention and Management, Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition. Additional required courses include Calculus, Organic Chemistry and Genes, Evolution and Ecology.

There are different admission requirements depending on the degree level at Case Western. MS degrees require undergraduate transcripts and letters of recommendation. No GRE necessary.

In depth review of top campus based nutrition programs in Ohio

Kent State University - BS and MS in Nutrition, Combined MS/DI

Kent State University has three distinct programs within the Nutrition and Dietetics Program. They offer a BS in Nutrition, MS in Nutrition and Combined MS/DI. The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition provides students with a broad general education and foundation in nutrition sciences. The curriculum meets the DPD requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Courses include Chemistry, Integrative and Functional Nutrition and Community Nutrition. Upon completion, students will obtain an ACEND verification statement preparing them for the dietetic internship. All classes must be done on campus.

The Master of Science in Nutrition prepares students to sit for applicable licensure in Ohio. Major requirements include Macronutrient Nutrition, Advanced Study of Micronutrients and Research Methods. There are unique elective courses students can choose from such as World Foods Customs and Nutrition, Advanced Sports Nutrition and Lifecycle and Nutrition. Students can choose between completing a master's project or a final thesis. The master's project is designed for students who do not plan to continue graduate work beyond this degree. Students do not have to present and interpret original research unlike the thesis. The thesis is intended for research-oriented students and must be approved by a committee.

Kent State also has a combined Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic internship offered by the School of Sciences, in the College of Education, Health and Human Services. The combined program can be completed in 21 months. The DI rotates through medical centers, businesses, food service operations and community sites. During the semesters, interns go to practice sites 3 days per week and to class two days per week. During the summer the interns complete a 12 week, full time clinical experience in the hospital setting. Students can choose to add on a Leadership Concentration which has been approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This concentration prepares students to become the nutrition leaders in future work environments.

-Miami University of Ohio - BS in Kinesiology, Nutrition and Health

Miami University of Ohio has a Nutrition Major that leads to the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Nutrition and Health degree. There are two concentrations within this degree. The Dietetics Concentration is for students who plan to become a RD and the Community Nutrition path is for non-RDs. The Dietetics concentration is acreddited by ACEND. In addition to the nutrition foundation requirements, students in this track will also take Medical Nutrition Therapy, Food System Management and Advanced Food Science.

The Community Nutrition concentration focuses on trends in community and public health nutrition. Students are provided an opportunity to learn and participate in local site-based community nutrition programs. Required courses include Community Health Perspectives, Health Economics, Developmental Psychology and more.

Alumni of the program have gone on to pursue various Masters degrees as well as job opportunities in media and communications, public health and education and wellness.

Campus-based and online dietetics and nutrition degrees in Ohio

Typical online nutrition coursework at universities

• Nutrition Counseling – This course provides an understanding of patient-centered counseling models. Students will practice active listening, motivational interviewing and goal setting to encourage positive behavior changes.
• Human Nutrition – Explores the fundamentals of macro and micronutrients and how they impact bodily processes.
• Medical Nutrition Therapy – This course covers how diet related to various disease states.Through case studies and lectures, students will learn how to provide medical nutrition therapy for a variety of chronic diseases such as diabetes and oncology.

What to know about becoming a Registered Dietitian in Ohio

Ohio licensure process for Registered Dieticians CDR

To become a credentialed Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in Ohio a few steps are required:

1. Completion of an ACEND accredited dietetics program
2. A minimum of 1,000 hours of an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
3. As of January 1, 2024 a Master’s degree (in any subject)
4. Passage of the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam
5. Apply for licensure in Ohio

The licensure process in Ohio is as follows. Applicants must complete a criminal background check and fill out an online application. The online application is found on the State Medical Board of Ohio website. There is a $225 initial license fee. After submitting the online application, the Board takes up to 10 days to process the application. Applicants can check their status online while they await clearance. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts and a copy of the CDR registration card are also needed.

The Ohio License must be renewed every year online at the cost of $180. RDs in Ohio must also complete one continuing education unit per year (a video and a quiz on Ohio Dietetics Jurisprudence Course). An additional 75 hours of CPE (continuing professional education) must be completed every 5 years to maintain registration through the CDR (Commision on Dietetic Registered).

Organizations to know for nutrition in Ohio

Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (OAND) is an affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It is the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals in the nation. OAND was established in 1921. There are over 3,000 members. Membership is limited to Registered Dietitians, Dietetic Technicians, Registered and dietetic students in Ohio. Members regularly attend networking events, have access to monthly newsletters and job opportunities, are eligible for awards and scholarship opportunities and complimentary CPE webinars. This spring OAND will be hosting its 104th annual conference in Cleveland.

Dietitian career options in Ohio

Becoming a nutrition professional is a popular career path. Employment projection for dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow by 7% from 2022 to 2023.

There are many job opportunities for nutrition professionals in Ohio. Registered Dietitians can work in private practices, health care settings, schools, community organizations and more. In the state of Ohio, RDN’s can earn an average of $32.80 an hour or a salary of $68,200.

Ohio Nutrition Programs

Information about these Ohio nutrition programs was hand-gathered through a lot of research on the web. Several sources we used include: ACEND, ASN, CEPH, IPEDS, and more. You can also contact us if you see a missing school or program, or a degree needs adjusted.

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