Nutrition science is a field involving the study of food and how the consumption of certain foods can affect behavior, disease prevention, and human and animal health. Nutrition science also explores the effect of various nutrients on metabolism. Although there is a specific nutrition science degree, students can also specialize in other areas of nutrition science such as dietetics and food science. Degrees in nutrition can be obtained at most colleges and universities, and some state or community colleges offer nutrition degree programs as well. With a nutritionist degree, graduates have numerous options for employment in the private and public sector of the health and wellness industry.
Associate's Degree in Nutrition Science
Some state and community colleges offer an associate degree in applied science in nutrition. The degree is usually intended as a basis for the bachelor's degree in the subject. Coursework is introductory in nature and students must complete general education requirements such as English, math, and science. The following is a list of classes an AAS degree seeker might take:
The program usually takes two years to complete and graduates can utilize their degrees to seek entry level employment in fields such as:
Since most jobs in the nutrition science field require at least a bachelor's degree, many students use their associate degree as a foundation for furthering their education and receiving an advanced degree in the subject.
Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition Science
The bachelor's degree in nutrition science is a four year program that requires 120 hours which is twice as much coursework as the associate degree. In addition to general education classes, students will need to complete required core courses such as chemistry and biology. Students can also expect to take classes in basic sciences, understand how nutritional needs change as humans age, and learn extensively about food science. Possible courses in the bachelor's of science program include:
Those who graduate with a bachelor's degree in nutritional science can find employment in fields such as:
Graduates can also parlay their nutritional science degree into a graduate degree in the same field, or use it as a building block for medical or dental school, a physical therapy program, or countless other graduate degrees.
Master's Degree in Nutrition Science
Most master's degree programs in nutrition science focus on preparing graduates for professional programs in medicine or doctoral programs in nutrition science. Therefore, the curriculum is designed to encompass those goals. The degree entails both coursework and a research project, and students can design a path of study to suit their individual interests within the field of nutritional science. Students are expected to achieve an exceptional level of knowledge in the field and conduct sophisticated research. To enter a master's program, schools require a bachelor's degree in nutrition science or a related field and competitive scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Some possible courses graduate students might expect to take are:
The masters degree in nutrition science usually take 2-3 years, and after graduation, not only will students be prepared for further studies, they will also be eligible to enter a number of careers such as:
Ph.D. in Nutrition Science
Many schools offer a doctorate in nutrition science. Although some programs allow students to apply with a bachelor's degree in nutrition science or a related field, many require a master's degree. Satisfactory GRE scores are also a prerequisite to entrance into a Ph.D. program. In some Ph.D. programs, candidates will be able to choose a specialization such as human nutrition, international nutrition, or community nutrition and will work closely with faculty members while conducting research. In addition to an extensive amount of coursework, there is also a thesis or dissertation component that must be completed before graduation. Many schools also require a written and/or oral examination before graduation. Possible coursework in the Ph.D. program will likely include upper level classes in the following subjects:
A Ph.D. in nutrition science will generally take 3-5 years to complete. Many graduates will become:
We found 59 schools offering "Nutritional Sciences" degree programs in the U.S.
>> See all 59 Nutritional Sciences Colleges in the U.S.
