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Nutrition Degrees for Military and Veterans

Nutrition Degrees for Military and Veterans

A student attaining a Nutrition Degree learns about the impact of food on health. Depending upon their career, there are many focuses and concentrations under this study umbrella. According to the University of North Dakota, "Nutrition extends far beyond counting calories and reading food labels; it is a science grounded in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and biochemistry."

A degree in Nutrition will involve exploring "the intricate interactions of electrons, atoms, molecules, genes, cells, organs, and entire organisms in biological processes while also examining how life sciences connect with health, behavior, education, population dynamics, culture, and economics."

Public and community health, medicine, and general nutrition are just some paths students can take. However, those who choose to become licensed dieticians must seek at least a Master’s in this field—it is the minimum requirement for licensure in almost every state. In comparison, nutritionist requirements vary widely by state.

What Is a Nutrition or Dietetics Degree?

Nutrition and Dietetics degrees help students understand what goes into food and how it can affect the human body. They also help clients become healthier versions of themselves through this knowledge.

What Can You Do with a Nutrition Degree?

While still in school, students can apply for internships in various industries to test the career waters. They can intern as fitness counselors, work in the food industry, or in public health organizations. 

Is a Nutrition or Dietetics Degree Hard?

A Nutrition degree is science-heavy, and some of the coursework is similar to what you might find in a medical degree. Chemistry, immunology, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, and microbiology are just some courses a school may require in an undergrad program. 

Students interested in health and the mechanisms behind food will find the course rewarding despite the challenges. They will witness how their coursework applies to everyday life.

Is a Nutrition Degree worth it?

The concept of healthy eating is more popular than ever. A degree gives students any number of job options in multiple industries and allows them to help individuals and groups understand how food affects their lifestyles, health, and longevity. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this field is expected to grow 7 percent through 2032, and the higher the degree students obtain, the more lucrative the job they find.

 
A degree in nutrition or dietetics can open doors to many different career paths. Great paying jobs in this career field have opportunities in both the public and private sectors and include jobs in a wide variety of settings such as:
  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Elder care organizations
  • Clinical care
  • Sports and recreation groups
  • Research and development
A degree in nutrition and dietetics can even provide opportunities to work for yourself by starting your own business or working as a consultant.

What Is Dietetics?

Dietetics is the science of how food, diet, and nutrition affect human health. A dietitian (or otherwise spelled dietician) is an expert in dietetics. The terms “dietitian” and “nutritionist” are often used interchangeably, yet there are distinctions.

A registered dietitian (RD) is a specialized certification, whereas a dietitian or nutritionist may or may not require certification or licensing, depending on one’s state.

Dietitians focus specifically on how food and nutrition can impact one’s health, whereas nutritionists have a broader scope of nutrition and health. Dietitians are to specialists what nutritionists are to general medicine.

Getting an Associate’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

To obtain an Associate’s Degree, students will take liberal arts courses, with some classes in nutrition. Even with a two year degree, there are numerous other entry-level opportunities to choose from.

Jobs you can obtain with an Associate's Degree in Nutrition include:

Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

A student working toward a Bachelor’s will typically declare a major, like food science, chemistry, biology or dietetics. Some programs may require students specialize in one topic of study like pediatric, maternal or sports nutrition.

Jobs you can obtain with a Bachelor’s in Nutrition include:

Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

Graduate students focus on advanced nutrition studies. Each institution has their own graduate program, but students have coursework in nutritional biochemistry, clinical or community nutrition, food science, and research methodology. This program takes about two years to complete. 

Jobs you can obtain with a Master’s Degree in Nutrition include:

Doctorate Degree in Nutrition

Doctorate students concentrate on a specific area of nutrition such as epidemiology, micronutrients or pediatric health. There are also programs available for students who wish to focus on translational research (i.e., research that produces results affecting health directly.)

Jobs you can obtain with a Doctorate Degree in Nutrition include:

Select VA-Approved Colleges with Nutrition Degrees

University of Dayton

The University of Dayton offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Food, Nutrition and Wellness Studies. It has GI Bill®-approved programs, offers credit for military experience, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and awards credit for the CLEP exam. The University of Dayton is a MyCAA-approved school and a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program.



Viterbo University

Viterbo University offers a Bachelor's Degree in Dietetics/Dietitian. It has GI Bill-approved programs, offers credit for military experience, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and awards credit for CLEP and DSST exams. Viterbo University is a MyCAA-approved school and a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program.



Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Tech offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate Degrees in Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies. It has GI Bill-approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for CLEP and  DSST exams, and is approved for Tuition Assistance. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a MyCAA-approved school.



University of Idaho

The University of Idaho offers a Bachelor’s in Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies. The University of Idaho has GI Bill-approved programs, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for the CLEP exam. The University of Idaho is a Yellow Ribbon school, approved for Tuition Assistance, and a MyCAA approved school.

*Average annual salaries adapted and calculated from sources including Salary.com and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.



The New School (New York, NY)

The New School's campus is in New York, NY, but it offers many online options. The New School offers Associate and Bachelor's degrees in Foods/Nutrition studies.



Central Washington University (CWU)

CWU offers a dietetic internship program for those seeking to become a Registered Dietitian. The program has full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Offered in conjunction with or as a stand-alone program from CWU’s Master of Science in Nutrition.

Central Washington is not a Yellow Ribbon School. However, CWU is a state school, so as a veteran, you may not have to pay any money out of pocket (depending on how much of your GI Bill benefit you retain).  They do, however, offer credit for military service.

For the military, CWU is approved for Tuition Assistance.

 

If distance learning is your preference, check out the program available at:

Kansas State University Online

Kansas State offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics, a Master’s in Dietetics, and a Master’s in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Sensory Sciences. Kansas State University is a Yellow Ribbon School, so as a veteran, you may not have to pay any money out of pocket (depending on how much of your GI Bill benefit you retain).  K State also offers credit for military service.

For military, Kansas State is approved for Tuition Assistance.