Online nutrition master's programs prepare students for leadership positions in the health and wellness industry.
Dieticians and nutritionists promote healthy foods and eating habits, and in the United States, there is a growing demand for their expertise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that these positions will grow approximately 8% between 2019 and 2029.
A career in nutrition also pays well. According to the BLS, dieticians and nutritionists earn a median annual salary of $61,270. Top earners work in outpatient care centers, hospitals, government, and residential care facilities.
While a combination of undergraduate education and supervised training is sufficient to pursue licensure and entry-level employment, many professionals in this field hold advanced degrees. If you're interested in pursuing a master's degree in the field, our list of the top 15 online nutrition master's programs is a great place to begin your research. Here, you can learn more about the curriculum and career prospects students will encounter at top schools in the field.
| #1 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA |
| #2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC |
| #3 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL |
| #4 | American University | Washington, DC |
| #5 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX |
| #6 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | West Chester, PA |
| #7 | Arizona State University | Scottsdale, AZ |
| #8 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY |
| #9 | University of Nebraska – Lincoln | Lincoln, NE |
| #10 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC |
The Best Online Master's in Nutrition Programs
| Rank | School | Location | Apply | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Georgia |
Athens, GA Apply Now | ||
| 2 |
North Carolina State University at Raleigh |
Raleigh, NC Apply Now | ||
| 3 |
Auburn University |
Auburn, AL Apply Now | ||
| 4 |
American University |
Washington, DC Apply Now | ||
| 5 |
Texas Tech University |
Lubbock, TX Apply Now | ||
| 6 |
West Chester University of Pennsylvania |
West Chester, PA Apply Now | ||
| 7 |
Arizona State University |
Scottsdale, AZ Apply Now | ||
| 8 |
Stony Brook University |
Stony Brook, NY Apply Now | ||
| 9 |
University of Nebraska – Lincoln |
Lincoln, NE Apply Now | ||
| 10 |
East Carolina University |
Greenville, NC Apply Now | ||
| 11 |
Central Michigan University |
Mount Pleasant, MI Apply Now | ||
| 12 |
Samford University |
Birmingham, AL Apply Now | ||
| 13 |
Kansas State University |
Manhattan, KS Apply Now | ||
| 14 |
Colorado State University – Fort Collins |
Fort Collins, CO Apply Now | ||
| 15 |
Bowling Green State University |
Bowling Green, OH Apply Now |
End of list, bravo!
Online Master's in Nutrition Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
What Is an Online Master's in Nutrition Degree?
Completing a nutrition master's online helps students develop advanced skills in applied research, nutrition consulting, and dietetics. Nutrition programs frequently offer concentration and elective options designed to fit specific career goals, including tracks in clinical nutrition, sports nutrition, or eating disorders. Students may also receive opportunities to develop professional skills like grant writing and healthcare administration.
Nutrition master's programs attract students interested in several fields, including community health, food science, and sports nutrition. Learners are often entry-level or midcareer professionals looking to advance to leadership positions.
These programs strive to prepare students to meet the country's growing demand for nutrition professionals. Graduates can pursue employment in clinical, educational, research, and community health settings.
Choosing an Online Program
Online programs offer flexibility to students with full-time jobs, families, and other obligations. To determine which online program best fits your unique needs and goals, consider factors like school size, cost, curriculum, and availability of resources for online students. Read on for more college selection tips.
How to Choose Your Major What to Look for in an Online CollegeWhat Else Can I Expect From a Master's in Nutrition Program?
Specific courses in a master's in nutrition online vary depending on specific program goals, including whether students are preparing for careers in clinical nutrition, nutrition education, or research. Courses often cover theory, research, and practice in specialized areas like the prevention of chronic diseases, food services management, and nutrition counseling.
Nutrition Curriculum
- Biostatistics: Students in this course learn to apply statistical methods to health sciences. Typically designed for students with a minimal mathematical background, this course covers concepts of experimental design, quantitative data analysis, and statistical inferences. Students also learn about elementary probability and simple linear regression.
- Lifecycle Nutrition: This course allows students to explore the changing nutritional needs of different age groups. Topics include the role of nutrition in growth, mental and physical development, and specific transitions such as puberty and pregnancy.
- Nutrition Policy: This course introduces students to policy approaches used to improve public health and nutrition. Topics include legislative advocacy, rationale for nutrition policies, and other current issues in the political environment. Students examine and analyze current nutrition programs at the local, state, and federal levels.
Nutrition Careers
Nutritionists
| Median Salary: $61,270 | Projected Job Growth: 8% |
|---|
Nutritionists educate patients and clients on how to promote health and manage disease through diet. Nutritionists may work in clinical settings or community settings, creating customized nutrition programs for individual patients and specific groups of people. Common tasks include assessing client health needs, counseling clients on nutrition issues, and documenting client progress.
Nutritionists typically need at least a bachelor's degree and several hundred hours of supervised training, usually in the form of an internship. States generally require licensure to practice. nutritionists may also pursue the Registered Dietician Nutritionist certificate.
Food Scientists
| Median Salary: $65,160 | Projected Job Growth: 6% |
|---|
Food scientists use chemistry and biology to analyze nutritional content, discover new food sources, and research the health and safety of processed foods. Food scientists also enforce government regulations in food processing.
Food scientists need a bachelor's degree in a field such as agricultural science, biology, or chemistry. Many professionals choose to pursue advanced degrees in applied topics like nutrition and dietetics.
Healthcare Administrators
| Median Salary: $100,980 | Projected Job Growth: 32% |
|---|
Healthcare administrators plan, direct, and coordinate services offered in medical and health facilities. They may manage an entire facility, a specific department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians. Common tasks include preparing and monitoring budgets, developing goals and objectives, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
At minimum, healthcare administrators must hold a bachelor's degree, but some employers prefer candidates with advanced degrees. Relevant experience in an administrative or clinical role is generally required.
Nutrition Professional Organizations
Like all scientific fields, nutrition is constantly evolving, requiring extensive funding, strong advocacy, and effective communication between researchers and practitioners. The professional organizations listed below serve current and aspiring nutrition professionals by providing continuing education, access to peer-reviewed journals, and career support.
College students can often join these organizations at a reduced membership rate.
- American Society for Nutrition The NANP is the only professional business association dedicated to the holistic nutrition industry. The NANP develops educational standards for holistic nutrition, natural chef training, and dietary supplement education programs. Membership benefits include forum access, a free online directory listing, and first access to new jobs posted by the NANP career center.
- American Society for Nutrition The ASN strives to create a healthier world through evidence-based nutrition information and practice. Members receive access to online discussion communities, four scholarly journals, and continuing education opportunities.
- American Nutrition Association The ANA is a professional organization committed to advancing personalized nutrition through education, certification, advocacy, and connection. The ANA offers the Certified Nutrition Specialist certificate, free monthly webinars, and online directories of nutrition programs and practitioners. Members receive access to training program discounts, an online job board, and a mentorship program.
