The Best Online Master's in Nutrition

Established in 1867, U of I offers over 250 undergraduate and graduate programs through 16 academic colleges and instructional units. One of three schools within the University of Illinois System, U of I enrolls more than 47,000 students each year and holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The online master of science in food science and human nutrition is a non-thesis program designed to meet the needs of working professionals. The 32-credit program features live classes that students attend in real time. Required classes include food materials science, genetics of nutrition, and the growth and development of horticulture crops.

Learners also study topics like food and industrial microbiology, fermented and distilled beverages, and flavor chemistry. Degree-seekers gain comprehensive insight into the multifaceted relationship between food, nutrients, and the human experience.

To apply, students must hold a bachelor's degree, preferably in a discipline related to physical, biological, agricultural, or engineering sciences.

Founded in 1885, UArizona enrolls nearly 46,000 students annually and holds designation as a Hispanic-serving institution by the U.S. Department of Education. UArizona offers undergraduate and graduate programs through 21 academic colleges and maintains regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The 30-credit online professional master's degree in applied nutrition emphasizes practical experience, incorporating 270 hours of supervised service into the program. Required classes include statistics for applied nutritional science, advanced nutrition metabolism and disease, and medical nutrition therapy. Learners also take courses on topics like healthcare business dynamics, health promotion and risk reduction, and health information and patient care technologies.

All online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of where they live. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in nutrition with a minimum 3.0 GPA and prerequisite coursework in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry.

Established in 1850, the U is the state's flagship institution and hosts 33,000 students annually through 17 schools and colleges. The school is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

The U's online master of science in nutrition and integrative physiology caters to students with an undergraduate degree in nutrition, dietetics, or health sciences. Learners advance their understanding of nutritional biochemistry, macro- and micronutrient metabolism, and nutritional communications while honing research and critical thinking skills.

The 39-credit program includes core classes like nutrition communications, nutrition biochemistry, and metabolism of micro- and macronutrients. Learners can tailor the degree to their interests through 18 credits of electives on topics such as methods of weight management, nutrition for exercise and sport, and advanced pediatric nutrition.

Applicants must meet the standards for dietetic registration established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or complete prerequisite coursework in natural science and nutrition. They must also submit two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose.

Established in 1866, KU is the state's flagship institution and serves roughly 28,500 learners each year. The school is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). KU's 36-credit online master's degree in dietetics and nutrition meets the needs of registered dietitians and registry-eligible individuals who have met the requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Core courses include current issues and trends in nutrition and dietetics, macronutrients, nutrigenetics, and micronutrients in human nutrition. Elective coursework explores aspects of nutrition and dietetics such as food writing, healthcare administration, nutrition and aging, and medical nutrition therapy. Learners can choose from thesis or non-thesis tracks to complete the degree. Non-thesis students must complete a self-directed study of special problems in nutrition or nutrition care.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and provide proof of registered dietitian credentials or eligibility, a resume, a personal goals statement, and three references for consideration.

Part of the University of Massachusetts System, UMass Amherst is the flagship institution for the Commonwealth. With over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, UMass Amherst enrolls over 22,000 students annually. UMass Amherst is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

The 47-credit online master of public health in nutrition combines studies in public health and nutrition. Public health courses include principles of epidemiology, environmental health practices, and public health leadership. Classes in nutrition include nutritional assessment, community nutrition, and nutritional problems in the United States. In addition to coursework, learners complete a 200-hour practicum. Students finish the degree with an independent study project.

Applicants need an advanced degree in a health-related field, registered dietitian credentials, or a bachelor's degree with two years of relevant public health experience. They must also submit a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

Considered the birthplace of higher education in the United States, UGA houses 17 academic schools and colleges and operates eight public service and outreach units. The school hosts nearly 39,000 students each year and holds regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The 30-credit online master of science in foods and nutrition emphasizes community nutrition and prepares students to work as nutrition directors, outreach workers, and educators in the private and public sectors.

Required classes include nutrition and obesity across the lifespan, optimal nutrition, and childhood and adolescent nutrition. Students can tailor the degree to their interests through electives on topics like food sanitation, management of food service organizations, and food ingredients and function. Additional elective options include team and organizational development for communities, leadership in workforce education, and current issues in sport nutrition.

Graduates are eligible for certification as Georgia school nutrition directors. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

Established in 1852, Tufts hosts more than 11,000 students each year through diverse undergraduate and graduate programs. Tufts is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).

The 30-credit hybrid master of nutrition science and policy takes one year of full-time study to complete. The mostly online program requires on-campus residencies each semester. During the week-long residencies, learners complete interactive coursework, seminars, and projects.

Required classes explore topics like global food and nutrition policy, economics for food and nutrition, and community and clinical applications of nutritional biochemistry. Students can tailor the degree to their interests and goals through electives on topics like obesity and energy regulation, nutrition and aging, and global nutrition programs. The degree culminates in a thesis, which includes a literature review and research proposal.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and transcripts for consideration.

Established as the first public institution for higher learning in Alabama in 1831, UA offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs. The school hosts over 38,000 students annually and holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

UA's 30-credit online master of science in human nutrition fosters research, critical thinking, and analytical skills while emphasizing contemporary issues and trends in food and nutrition science and policy.

Students choose one of three degree tracks. The generalist curriculum includes classes in metabolism of energy nutrients, vitamin and mineral metabolism, and nutrition support across the lifespan. The community nutrition emphasis requires classes in maternal and infant, child and adolescent, and disease nutrition, while the clinical nutrition specialization focuses on nutrition and metabolism science as it relates to disease and obesity.

All degree-seekers complete classes in biostatistics and research methods alongside elective coursework. Electives cover topics such as health behavior, nutritional epidemiology, and leadership in health education.

Applicants need a bachelor's degree in nutrition or a related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The program caters to registered dieticians and dietetic interns, but admission does not require credentials in the field.

Chartered by the United States Congress in 1893, AU is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. AU emphasizes global leadership, public service, and experiential learning throughout its nearly 200 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The school maintains regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The 30-credit online master's degree in nutrition education blends coursework in nutrition science with classes in educational theory and strategy. The curriculum prepares students to work as educators in schools, communities, and organizations. The online nutrition education program also serves as a pathway to certification as a nutrition specialist.

Required classes in lifecycle nutrition and behavior change in health promotion accompany courses in nutrition program design, pedagogy, and research methods. Students can tailor the degree to their interests through electives on topics like sports nutrition, health and the school environment, and strategies in weight control.

Online students benefit from AU's mentorship program, receiving personalized support from a faculty mentor who guides them through resume development, job searching, and networking in the field. Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits of coursework.

Established as an agriculture and mechanical arts institution in 1887, NC State now offers more than 300 undergraduate and graduate programs through 12 academic colleges. NC State enrolls more than 35,000 learners annually, providing them with a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. NC State is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Students earning the master's in nutrition online at NC State complete 36 credit hours of didactic and practical coursework. The program offers two specializations: feed science and human nutrition, food, and bioprocessing. Learners can also pursue a general track.

All students take core classes in biochemistry, nutrition and metabolism, lifecycle nutrition, and vitamin or energy metabolism. The human nutrition, food, and bioprocessing emphasis includes courses in metabolism regulation, exercise nutrition, mineral metabolism, and maternal and infant nutrition. The feed science concentration explores topics like equine nutrition, digestion and metabolism in ruminants, and seed physiology.

Founded in 1856, AU hosts 15 academic schools and colleges and holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Auburn's 33-credit online master of science in nutrition includes specializations in community nutrition, nutrition science, and sports nutrition. All learners take core classes on topics like human nutrient metabolism, vitamins and minerals, and macronutrients. Community nutrition learners study topics like youth program development, workforce education, and concepts and resources in adult education.

The nutrition science concentration includes classes in biomedical engineering and food laws and regulations, while the sports nutrition emphasis features lecture and laboratory work in advanced anatomical principles.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit GRE scores, a resume, a statement of purpose, and three letters of reference for admission.

Founded in 1869, UNL is one of three schools within the University of Nebraska System. The school offers diverse undergraduate and graduate programs through 13 academic colleges and holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Part of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance Program, UNL offers an online master's degree in dietetics designed for registered dietitians and individuals meeting the requirements to become a registered dietitian. The 36-credit program includes core classes in statistics, research methods, and current issues and trends in nutrition.

Students can tailor the degree to their interests through electives on topics like maternal and child nutrition, nutrition in the stages of life, and obesity across the lifespan. Degree-seekers interested in nutrition education can take classes in public health nutrition, nutrition counseling and education methods, and nutrition education in the community.

Washington's first land-grant university, WSU provides more than 230 undergraduate and graduate programs through 11 academic colleges. WSU maintains regional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

WSU's online master of arts in health communication and promotion is a terminal professional non-thesis degree. Designed for communication and health sciences professionals, the 30-credit program trains students to gather and analyze information to create health and public awareness campaigns. Core courses include professional multimedia content creation, crisis communication, and ethics for professionals.

Fifteen credit hours emphasize health communication and behavior change, health message design and effectiveness, and communicating health to specialized populations. The degree culminates in an independent project or a comprehensive examination.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit a resume, a statement of purpose, and transcripts. Upon admission, degree-seekers can choose a one-, two-, or three-year plan of study.

Founded in 1858, K-State operates four campuses and an online division, meeting the academic needs of more than 22,000 students annually. K-State is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Offered through K-State Global Campus, the online master's in nutrition, dietetics, and sensory science comprises 30-36 credits. Learners study topics in nutrition, business, chemistry, and kinesiology, preparing for careers with local health departments, community wellness programs, and international agencies.

Students take classes on topics like functional foods for disease prevention, sensory and food analysis, and environmental issues in dietetics. Students can choose to finish the degree with a thesis or a report.

Degree-seekers interested in earning registered dietitian nutritionist credentials can complete the didactic program in dietetics requirements established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics concurrently with the degree.

The largest institution within the Colorado State University System, CSU enrolls more than 30,000 students annually through eight academic colleges. CSU emphasizes inclusion, responsibility, and leadership throughout its undergraduate and graduate programs and maintains regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Designed for practicing registered dietitians and individuals who meet the knowledge requirements to become a registered dietitian, the online master's degree in food science and nutrition comprises 37 credit hours.

Required classes include issues in dietetic practice, micronutrients, and nutrigenetics. Students can use 15 elective credits to explore topics such as nutrition education in the community, international nutrition and world hunger, and advanced medical nutrition therapy. Students finish the degree with a thesis or a non-thesis project.

CSU's online master's in food science and nutrition incorporates classes offered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance Program. Applicants must submit transcripts from a regionally accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose.

Chartered as an agricultural school in 1888, URI now offers nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate programs. URI hosts about 18,000 students each year and holds regional accreditation through the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Students can complete the online master of science in dietetics in 14 months. The non-thesis program integrates 36 credit hours of didactic coursework with internship requirements to prepare learners for advanced roles as registered dietitians.

Learners study research, clinical nutrition, dietetics management, and community health. Required classes include medical nutrition therapy, foodservice operations, and community nutrition and health promotion. Research classes systematically train students in the research process as they prepare a comprehensive research paper and poster.

URI offers degree-seekers two internship options. The Sodexo dietetic internship accommodates students currently enrolled in the internship program, while the Sodexo registered dietitian nutritionist track serves as a general practical experience for registered dietitians in their first five years of practice.

Located near Toledo, Ohio, BGSU opened its doors in 1910. With over 19,000 enrollees, BGSU boasts an 18-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), BGSU offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs through eight academic colleges.

BGSU's online master of food and nutrition program comprises 39-40 credit hours of coursework. Students complete 15 credit hours of core classes on topics like micro- and macronutrients, clinical and community nutrition, and weight management. Nine credit hours of research methods and statistics classes accompany six credit hours of thesis, project, or comprehensive examination requirements.

BGSU also offers an optional dietetic internship for master's degree students, ideal for individuals pursuing certification as a registered dietitian through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement for consideration.

Texas Tech is one of four institutions within the Texas Tech University System and hosts over 39,000 students each year through more than 300 undergraduate and graduate programs. The school is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The 33-credit online master's degree in nutrition and dietetics includes core courses like clinical applications of carbohydrates and proteins, vitamins and minerals, and lipids as they relate to health promotion and disease. The program offers concentrations in nutrition and healthy weight, nutrition and sports, and nutrition and the lifestyle.

The nutrition and healthy weight concentration explores bariatric nutrition, nutrition and eating disorders, and obesity management. Sports nutrition coursework focuses on nutrition as it relates to exercise, athlete populations, and the sports media, while the nutrition and the lifestyle specialization includes classes in nutrition and geriatrics, diabetes and nutrition management, and motivating health behavior.

Applicants must provide Didactic Program in Dietetics verification, registered dietitian credentials, or documentation of acceptance to a dietetic internship for consideration. Additional application materials include a resume and two letters of recommendation.

With nine campuses and extension centers around Utah and an online division, USU serves nearly 28,000 students each year. Founded in 1888, the school provides nearly 300 undergraduate and graduate programs through eight academic colleges and holds regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

USU's online master of food safety and quality blends coursework in nutrition, food science, agriculture, and business. The 33-credit interdisciplinary curriculum includes in-depth training in food safety assurance to prepare learners for careers as food inspectors, food scientists, and food safety specialists.

Learners study topics like food microbiology, food safety management, and principles of food sanitation and toxicology. This degree culminates in a capstone sequence in special problems within the field of food safety and quality. Students must complete a capstone report consisting of a literature review or a special project portfolio.

Preferred applicants have an undergraduate degree in food science or a related discipline with previous coursework in chemistry, statistics, and microbiology. Application materials include three letters of recommendation and GRE or GMAT scores.

Established in 1863, Adelphi hosts over 8,000 students annually through more than 120 academic programs. Adelphi is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The 34-credit online master of science in nutrition prepares learners to work in settings like agricultural organizations and food services for schools and hospitals. Students take classes on topics like nutrition assessment, nutrition in the life cycle, and nutrition and exercise physiology. In addition to coursework, students complete a nutrition practicum that involves an evidence-based research project.

Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor's degree and submit transcripts, a personal essay, and two letters of recommendation. Applicants must also participate in an admission interview.

Home to 13 academic schools, colleges, and institutes, ECU offers more than 200 degree and certificate programs. The school hosts over 28,000 students annually and holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The 33-credit online master of science in nutrition includes core, research, elective, and professional practice requirements. Core courses focus on human nutrition in physiology and metabolism, biostatistics for health professionals, and methods in nutrition research.

Eighteen credit hours of elective courses allow degree-seekers to tailor the program to their interests. Elective options include nutrition for wellness, vegetarian nutrition, and food and behavior. Students can also complete practica in clinical, community, or rural health settings.

Preferred applicants hold a bachelor's degree in nutrition or completed coursework in nutrition foundations. All applicants must submit transcripts and two letters of reference.

Sage began as a school of practical arts in 1916. Today, Sage offers over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 2,500 students annually. Sage is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Sage's 30-credit online master of science in applied nutrition takes 18 months of full-time study to complete. Learners take classes such as sports nutrition, nutrition programs and interventions, and health policy. Additional classes include nutrition support, nutrition communications, and epidemiology.

Research and writing courses accompany an optional internship. Students can enroll in the Sage dietetic internship program as they work toward certification as a registered dietitian. Individuals with a bachelor's degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a related field can complete additional online coursework to meet the internship program's requirements. Degree-seekers without a bachelor's degree in a nutrition-related discipline may need to take additional on-campus classes.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit two letters of recommendation, a career goals essay, and a resume. All recent and past Sage dietetic internship graduates receive automatic acceptance into the master's program.

Founded in 1975, IUP offers nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,000 students each year. The school maintains regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

IUP's online food and nutrition master of science degree comprises 36 credits. The program offers concentrations in administration and education. Administration classes emphasize sustainable nutrition, public health and epidemiology, and community nutrition and policy. Learners pursuing the education concentration focus on eating behaviors and food habits, food and nutrition intervention and educational strategies, and lifecycle nutrition.

Elective classes give degree-seekers the opportunity to further tailor their degree. Optional courses include clinical nutrition therapy, sports nutrition, and contemporary issues in food and nutrition. Students finish the degree with a thesis or an independent study project.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit transcripts, a goal statement, two letters of recommendation, and a resume. They must also complete prerequisite courses in chemistry, anatomy, and physiology.