Nutrition Degrees for Military and Veterans
What is a Nutrition Degree?
A student attaining a Nutrition Degree learns about the impact of food on health. Depending upon the career they’re pursuing, there are many focuses and contractions to choose from under this umbrella of study.Public and community health, medicine and general nutrition are just some of the paths they can take. However, students 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 can you do with a Nutrition Degree?
A Nutrition Degree not only helps students understand what goes in food and how it can affect the human body, but they get to help clients become healthier versions of themselves through this knowledge. 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 Degree Hard?
A Nutrition Degree is science heavy—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 that a school may require in an undergrad program.Students who have interest in health and the mechanisms behind food will find it rewarding, despite the challenges and witness how their coursework applies to everyday life.
Is a Nutrition Degree worth it?
The concept of healthy eating is more popular than ever before. 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 will be.
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Getting a Associate’s Degree in Nutrition
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:
- Dietary Aide- Dietary aides assist dietary staff in food preparation and serve patients or residents of hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities. Average annual salary: $27,453.
- Community Program Nutrition Assistant- Many community organizations, school, or government agencies have nutrition education programs or food assistance programs. Nutrition assistants help organize and implement them by setting up workshops, conducting outreach, assisting with food distribution, and providing basic nutrition education. Average annual salary: $44,570.
- Food Service Worker- A food service worker prepares and serves food, handles customer orders, and ensures compliance with food safety regulations in restaurants and cafeterias. (Not all food service work requires a degree.) Average annual salary: $29,790.
Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition
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:
- Nutritional Therapist- A person in this role works with people’s specific health problems and counsels them on their diet. Average annual salary: $69,350.
- Nutrition Educator- Nutrition educators develop educational materials, conduct workshops or classes on nutrition, implement nutrition programs in the community and advocate for policies supporting healthy food environments. Average annual salary: $60,345.
- Food and Nutrition Sales Representative- This degree-holder provides product information and conducts product demonstrations for customers and builds relationships to increase sales growth for their employer. Average annual salary: $61,423.
Master’s Degree in Nutrition
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:
- Clinical Nutrition Specialist- A nutrition specialist assesses nutritional needs, develops customized diet plans, monitors dietary intake and provides nutritional counseling. Average annual salary: $70,278.
- Corporate Wellness Coordinator- A corporate wellness coordinator works with companies on nutrition-focused initiatives for employees. They also conduct health screenings, offer education and workshops on nutrition and create wellness challenges. . Average annual salary: $66,669.
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:
- Nutrition Research Scientist- A person in this role designs and conducts studies on nutrition-related topics such as dietetics, metabolism, nutritional epidemiology or food science, then analyzes data and publishes research findings in scientific journals. Average annual salary: $86,072.
- Professor- Individuals holding a doctorate can teach higher-education courses nutrition at the undergraduate or graduate-level. Average annual salary: $99,541.
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 Dietetics/Dietitian Bachelor’s Degree. 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 a Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate Degree in Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies and has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for CLEP and DSST exam 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 Degree 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, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and is 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. For more information, click here.