Majoring in nutrition is a great degree field for students who want to be nutritionists or dietitians and help people lead healthier lives through a balanced diet. With all of the accredited online degree programs for nutrition, it has never been easier to obtain an associate’s, bachelors, master’s, and even certifications to help you be successful in your career. Online programs allow flexibility so that you can work full-time and take classes at your own pace.
During your degree program for nutrition, you will learn about the biological and chemical components of food and how ingredients affect your health. Typical coursework includes classes focusing on microbiology, food science, food processing and technology, advanced nutrition, food analysis and development, and also basic courses in chemistry, mathematics, food safety, and psychology. Upon graduation you will have a deep understanding of what it takes to create high quality, nutritious, and safe food from all natural and organic ingredients.
If you are already working in a healthcare setting or have experience with healthcare, then you may want to consider obtaining a nutrition certification or licensure. These come in many forms, but the most important considerations to keep in mind are what specialty you are most interested about, and ensuring that the certification or degree program is properly accredited. Whether you want to become a nutritionist or a dietitian, licensure will vary from state to state. The main accrediting board is the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) and the American Dietetic Association (ADA), which offers a Commission on Dietetic Registration license (CDR). These certifications are essential for finding jobs after graduation.
Typically, those who major in nutrition go on to become nutritionist or dietitians. However, there are many different industries and job titles that you can be hired on as, including clinical and community dietitians for companies, schools, nursing homes, private practices, and correctional facilities, food processors for industrial food plants, grocery stores, and restaurants, nutritional consultants that work with individuals and companies alike, and pediatric dietitians for schools, children’s hospitals, and individual families.
No matter which specialty or career field you are most passionate about, the employment opportunities remain positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics marks nutritionists and dietitians at a 21 percent job growth for the next ten years. Students who find jobs after graduation can obtain around $50,000 per year plus benefits. If you are interested in exploring human nutrition topics and applying them in people’s everyday life to make a lasting impact on your community’s health, then a degree in nutrition is certainly for you.
Become a Nutritionist by Obtaining Your Degree Online | Peterson’s Online Schools
