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    • Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition

    Girl taking an exam for her bachelor's degree

    A baccalaureate degree used to be the gold standard for those who wanted to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). As of January 1, 2024, however, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is requiring all applicants who wish to take the RDN exam to have a minimum of a master’s degree bestowed by a program that is accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)’s  Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Earning your nutrition bachelor’s degree can still be a valuable pursuit for would-be RDNs, who may go on to get a master’s degree to complete their career trajectory. It can also help aspiring nutritionists to achieve their career goals, and can provide an entry-level degree to get a foot in the door with many other careers in the field of nutrition.  

    If you are thinking of pursuing a nutrition bachelor’s degree, there are many formats available to you. Degrees are offered completely online, in a hybrid fashion (meaning some classes are offered online while some are in-person), and totally on-campus, in an in-person environment. This makes it much easier for today’s students to find educational options that fit their busy lifestyles. What were once thought of as “traditional” students, that is, those who are fresh out of high school, is no longer the norm in American colleges and universities. 

    Here, we will examine the details of getting a baccalaureate degree in an area of nutrition. You will discover what such a degree can do to help you start a career in nutrition. 

    What Nutrition Jobs are Available to Bachelor’s Degree Holders?

    As mentioned above, for many years, getting a bachelor’s degree was the key to becoming an RDN. That is no longer the case, however. It is still possible to become an RDN if you get a bachelor’s and then complete a master’s degree program (and pass the CDR exam and any state licensure or certification requirements). There are many other choices of career possibilities when it comes to careers in nutrition and dietetics that are available to bachelor’s degree holders, such as:

    Accreditation for Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Nutrition

    When you are selecting a nutritional bachelor’s degree program, above all else, you must be sure that the school at which the program is hosted is properly accredited. You may also seek programs that have their own accreditation.

    Institutional Accreditation

    Institutional accreditation occurs when an entire university or college is accredited by a regional or national accreditation group. Such accreditation provides the public with assurance about the quality of the institution, as well as a way for institutions to self-evaluate and make improvements. Common regional and national accreditation agencies to look for when researching nutrition programs at schools include:

    • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WASC)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
    • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
    • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
    • Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
    • Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)

    Programmatic Accreditation

    Programmatic accreditation makes sure that an academic program meets the rigorous educational quality standards of an organization. Programmatic accreditation may apply to a single degree program or an entire school within an institution. Among bachelor’s degree programs in nutrition, look for the following programmatic accreditations:

    • Accreditation Council for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
    • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
    • American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Council for Accreditation (AAFCS)
    • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

    Titles of Bachelor’s Degrees in Nutrition 

    Some of the most commonly seen names of bachelor’s degrees in nutrition and dietetics are:

    • Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition and Food Science
    • Bachelor of Science in Holistic Nutrition
    • Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods
    • Bachelor of Science in Integrative Nutrition
    • Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science
    • Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Foodservice Management
    • Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science

    Classes in a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition Program 

    The classes that you are required to pass in a nutrition baccalaureate degree program will vary depending upon the program’s focus and/or specialization, as well as whether you plan to go on to get a master’s degree to become an RDN. Some general nutrition courses that you can expect to find in most nutrition bachelor’s degree programs include:

    • Community Nutrition
    • Food Science and Safety
    • Foods and Nutrition of World Cultures
    • Introduction to Human Nutrition
    • Nutrition Assessment
    • Nutrition: Weight Management and Wellness 
    • Nutritional Biochemistry
    • Nutritional Biology and Metabolism
    • Professional Issues in Nutrition and Foods 
    • Statistics for Health Sciences
    • Therapeutic Diets

    Certifications for Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition Holders

    In addition to a bachelor’s degree, some students pursue further certification to increase their marketability or to showcase their interests in certain specializations. These are many and varied. Some of them include:

    • Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CSC) of the National Academy of Sports Medicine
    • Nutrition and Wellness Consultant (NWC) of the American Fitness Professional and Associations 
    • ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist of the American Council on Exercise

    Salaries for Jobs Requiring a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition 

    Jobs for nutritional professionals with a baccalaureate degree vary widely. Accordingly, salaries for nutrition jobs that are attainable with a bachelor’s degree vary as well. Some recent examples of nutrition jobs attainable with a baccalaureate degree and their corresponding salaries, per Indeed.com, are: 

    • Nutrition Coach: $30,000 per year
    • Public Health Nutritionist: $42,300 per year
    • Community Nutrition Specialist: $45,905 per year
    • Nutrition Educator: $52,200 per year
    • Community Outreach Representative, Sustainability & Nutrition: $31,852 per year
    • Youth Nutrition Specialist: $62,000 per year
    • Weight Loss Nutritionist: $52,000 per year
    • Health/Nutrition/Wellness Coach: $58,240 per year
    • Health and Nutrition Specialist: $50,000 per year
    • Community Health Educator: $46,800 per year
    • Coordinator, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program: $40,500 per year
    • Lead Director of Food and Nutrition: $65,000 per year