There are two ways to enter into the field of Nutrition through an online degree program: either a Bachelor in Nutritional Sciences or a Bachelor in Dietetics (or their equivalents). The Nutritional Sciences pathway typically provides a more broad approach to the field, giving students an understanding of the platforms of food and health. Some job titles in nutrition include Food and Nutrition Management, Public Health Nutrition, and Private Consulting. A Dietetics degree is more focused on certification and gives students the credentials to enter into more science and research-based positions of employment. Some job titles in dietetics include Renal Dietitian, Sports Dietitian, and Pediatric Dietitian.
Methodology:
This list was composed according to the following criteria:
- Online schools with regional accreditation;
- An established Bachelor in Nutrition or a Bachelor in Dietetics or their equivalents;
- Online availability of coursework;
- And retention rates (a sign of student satisfaction) of no less than 70%.
For further questions, look to the following disclaimers, or contact the OnlineSchoolsCenter.com editor via the email address, listed below.
- All information is cited from the unbiased, independent NCES.gov’s College Navigator
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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO
Program Standouts:
The University of Northern Colorado provides distance education students with an online program in dietetics that is offered as either an undergraduate degree or a Didactic Dietetics Education Certificate Program, depending on individuals’ academic and career goals. The curriculum strictly adheres to the principles and guidelines set forth by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and therefore gives students only the most relevant and up-to-date information available today. This online program is identical to its on-campus counterpart but allows more flexibility and personalization to accommodate professional and personal schedules. The focus of this online degree is to train students for internships and entry-level positions of employment.
Campus Location: Greeley, CO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Commission for Dietetics and Nutrition Education
Sampling of Coursework:
- Medical Nutrition Intervention
- Management of Organizations
- Foodservice Systems Management
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 46.3%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO’S ONLINE DIETETICS DEGREE
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RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Rutgers University is a prestigious, popular, and highly successful American educational institution, wherein the online school offers a Bachelor in Nutrition and Dietetics with various pathways to completion. The program is designed to accommodate students who have previous degrees, experience in Nutrition and Dietetics, or who are dietetic technicians registered. The curriculum includes both lecture-based and clinical approaches to an education in the field of nutrition, and students who complete the degree are ideally suited to sit for the Credentialing Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists. The flexible coursework is accommodating of working schedules and is intended to make immediate changes to students’ skills and knowledge of the practice.
Campus Location: Newark, NJ
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Program Options:
- Second Bachelor’s Degree Program Option
- Second Bachelor’s Degree Program for NDTR
- Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics Joint Degree
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Retention Rate: 92%
Graduation Rate: 80.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS DEGREE PROGRAM
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PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL
Program Standouts:
There are outstanding advantages to completing a Bachelor in Nutrition degree with Purdue University Global. This online school allows students to simultaneously complete one of several accelerated masters degrees alongside their undergraduate coursework, such as Health Informatics, Public Health, or Health Education. There are start dates throughout the school year, so students don’t have to feel pressure to begin their degree at any one specific time. Graduates of this online program will have the skills and knowledge to sit for any certification examination in the nutrition industry, such as the Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition, the Certified Clinical Nutritionist, or the Certified Dietary Manager exams.
Campus Location:
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - National Association of Nutrition Professionals
Sampling of Coursework:
- Food Safety and Microbiology
- Nutritional Analysis and Assessment
- Nutrition Planning and Management
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 68.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL’S ONLINE BACHELOR’S OF NUTRITION PROGRAM
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THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA ONLINE
Program Standouts:
The University of Arizona Online Bachelor in Nutritional Sciences is one of the few fully accredited undergraduate distance education programs in dietetics in the country. Students of this major have the option to focus their coursework in one of two emphasis areas: Nutrition or Dietetics. The Nutrition Emphasis provides a broader approach to the discipline and is an excellent foundation for careers in food and health or to enter into graduate degrees. The Dietetics Emphasis is more focused on training students to complete the examination and become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, which prepares them for careers that require certification. Graduates have gone on to work in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, health and wellness centers, and more.
Campus Location: Tucson, AZ
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Program Options:
- Nutrition
- Dietetics
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 60%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA ONLINE’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS) IN NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES DEGREE
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EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Eastern Michigan University’s online Bachelor in Dietetics is a well-accredited degree that includes a registered dietitian credential upon completion of the coursework. Students are deeply engaged in experiential learning programs and projects in community-based environments. The curriculum consists of a broad and diverse array of classes and real-world experiences that prepare students for numerous positions of employment in the field of nutrition. Graduates of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics have gone on to work in hospitals, specialized healthcare facilities, long-term care facilities, and insurance companies. Students of EMU have the excellent opportunity to enter into the Master in Dietetics program after finishing their undergraduate coursework.
Campus Location: Ypsilanti, MI
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Sampling of Coursework:
- Nutrient Metabolism: Macronutrients
- Nutrition Therapy
- Foodservice Systems Management
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 36.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR IN DIETETICS
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ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Arizona State University’s online Bachelor in Nutrition is not only an accelerated undergraduate degree, but it is also offered at one of the lowest tuition rates in the nation. Students complete their coursework over 7.5 week terms, which is faster than most other accelerated programs, and pay about $130 per credit hour, a price that is rarely rivaled at other online schools. The curriculum allows students to choose one of three exciting concentration options to further specialize their knowledge of the discipline. Graduates have gone on to fill a wide variety of roles in both nutrition and business. U.S. News and World Report revers this online school as one of the most innovative and excellent distance education institutions available.
Campus Location: Tempe, AZ
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Program Options:
- Food and Nutrition Management
- Nutrition Communication
- Food Studies
Acceptance Rate: 82.9%
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 43%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NUTRITION DEGREE PROGRAM
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K-STATE GLOBAL CAMPUS
Program Standouts:
Kansas State University Global Campus online Bachelor of Nutrition and Health is one of the most affordable online degrees of its kind in America. Offered through the College of Human Ecology’s Department of Nutrition, this curriculum includes in-depth research on the myriad of effects of good and bad nutrition on the human body and psyche. The coursework is well-suited to students who either want to earn the certification to enter into public health positions of employment or prominent master’s programs in health sciences. The program is also perfect for students who are pursuing more specific career paths, such as dental, nursing, health information management, and others.
Campus Location: Manhattan, KS
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Food and Health: Safety, Allergies, and Intolerances
- Nutrient Metabolism
- Life Span Nutrition
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 85%
Graduation Rate: 58.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT K-STATE GLOBAL CAMPUS’ ONLINE BACHELOR IN NUTRITION AND HEALTH PROGRAM
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UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA’S
BAMA BY DISTANCE
Program Standouts:
The University of Alabama’s online school—Bama By Distance—offers a Bachelor in Food and Nutrition that is one of the only distance education degrees of its kind in the country that is accredited by the ACEND, and provides a curriculum that is based on the guiding principles of the agency. The coursework is designed to adapt perfectly to working adults’ busy schedules and is also an excellent foundation for certification as a dietitian. Alumni of this program go on to work in medical centers, community agencies, consulting firms, hospitals, and other distinctive areas of employment. Students of this major gain an in-depth understanding of the correlation between proper diet and the health of individual clients.
Campus Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Sampling of Coursework:
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Purchasing, Design, and Risk Management in Food Service Systems
- Experimental and Functional Food Science
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 65.7%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA’S ONLINE FOOD AND NUTRITION DEGREE
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These eight online schools each provide students with excellent opportunities in Nutritional Science or Dietetics. For applicable positions and certifications, the curricula give students all of the necessary knowledge to pass certification examination in the field. There are excellent programs available for either those who already have previous experience in nutrition or for newcomers to the discipline. Earning a degree in nutrition or dietetics provides graduates with an excellent foundation upon which to start gratifying and stable careers in health and wellness industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between nutrition and dietetics?
There are numerous differences and similarities between the two titles, but the main distinction is that the role of a dietitian is more strictly regulated and requires certification for practice. Nutritionists can give health and nutritional advice, whereas dietitians can treat medical conditions by designing specific diet plans and can also diagnose health problems. However, there are certification examinations available for both dietitians and nutritionists with advanced degrees, but dietitians are more generally a part of medical teams and work in healthcare facilities.
Will I have job security as a nutritionist/dietitian?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the job outlook for Nutritionists and Dietitians at around 15% over the next five years, which is much faster than average, with an annual median salary of about $59,410. The job security for these types of positions is quite strong.
Do I need to have previous experience to enter into one of these online programs?
Some, not all, of the online Bachelor in Dietetics programs listed above do require that students have prior experience upon applying for the degree. The Bachelor in Nutritional Science programs typically does not require any previous experience, however. It is prudent for applicants to have worked in a health and nutrition environment, or to have some educational background, before attempting to enter into one of these online schools.