4 Nutrition Degrees Available

Different schools offer online master degrees that focus on different areas of nutrition. These can be as varied as food policy and economics, nutritional biochemistry and physiology, and applied and community nutrition. Some programs are geared to students who are already registered dieticians who wish to build their clinical knowledge or prepare for new positions in the field. Other schools prepare you to become a registered dietician after completing coursework and an internship accredited by the American Dietetic Association's Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Other schools offer master degree programs for those who do not plan to become registered dieticians. This might be a good fit for you if, for instance, you plan a career in research or are licensed in another health specialty (such as nursing) and just want the background in nutrition to better serve your patients.

The online multidisciplinary curriculum for a master-level program focuses on building clinical knowledge and preparing you to work in your area of interest. You can expect to take core courses that cover nutrition science and policy such as Nutritional Biochemistry, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Epidemiology, Nutrition Policy and Programming, and Statistics for Healthcare Professionals. You can then choose electives related to your area of concentration. In addition to classroom instruction, your school might require you to participate in a nutrition practicum in which you'll work with registered dietitians, fitness specialists, and other health professionals.

Internships will also allow you to gain hands-on experience. Supervised practice experiences are offered in various concentrations such as nutrition therapy, food service systems management, sports nutrition, and community dietetics. In some programs, interns are paid a stipend as they work. If you are not yet licensed, you should be eligible to take the Registered Examination for Dieticians after completing your internship and required coursework.

In addition to building your clinical understanding, online master degree programs in nutrition integrate training in conducting and using research. They will also help you develop strong written and verbal communication skills, which are essential to working in a variety of settings where you may be interacting with patients, publishing researching, consulting with clients, leading educational presentations, or participating in professional activities.