If you’re wondering if you should pursue a nutrition degree, you’ve come to the right place. You might have questions about what nutritionists can do, where they work, and how you can break into this industry.
We’re here to help answer any questions you have.
Before pursuing a nutrition degree, you should know the basics of nutrition and the steps to becoming a nutritionist. Read on to learn more about this industry and how food impacts whole-person health.
What is a Nutrition Degree?
A nutrition degree is a passport to helping people live their healthiest lives. Degrees come in different forms, but they all seek to make a difference in how people fuel their lives through food and address the behavior that drives their eating habits.
Some nutrition degrees focus more on preparing students to work one-to-one with patients in clinical settings and others are designed to help students educate communities, conduct food research, or even serve in a culinary role, preparing food for individuals or groups.
To receive a nutrition degree, you should attend a program that will teach you all the best practices in the field, while also focusing on innovation. Some institutions offer bachelor's and master’s degrees, while others provide certificates.
What Can I Do with a Nutrition Degree?
There are as many job paths for budding nutritionists as ways to craft delicious meals. The nutrition field offers different career options so that you can become a nutritionist who works in an area based on your passions and skill-set.
Nutritionists themselves are in the business of helping people feel their best by teaching them how to fuel their bodies. This task can take many forms; everyone is different, and their nutritional needs vary.
Jobs in nutrition could involve working in a clinic to help people recovering from eating disorders develop a healthier relationship with food. Some nutritionists combine their love of food with exercise and can address the whole-person health of their clients, particularly athletes.
Typical jobs in nutrition are customizable to your unique interests and passions, which is one of the reasons this field is so diverse and attractive.
After studying nutrition at an institution, you’ll likely need to take some exams to become a licensed nutritionist or Registered Dietitian. Obtaining a license will allow you to work at the clinical level.
The job growth and salary for nutritionists are competitive and on the rise. With a salary range between $42,530 and $116,690, nutritionists are well compensated for their mission of helping people become their healthiest selves. The job field is expected to grow 7 percent by 2031, meaning there will be about 5,600 job openings in the industry each year over the decade.
Check out our blog on the job outlook and salary for Nutritionists in 2023 here.
How Do I Determine if Earning a Nutrition Degree is Right for Me?
To determine if becoming a nutritionist is the right step, you’ll need to consider your passions and how you want to apply them. Ask yourself these questions to start:
- Are you interested in making a difference in people’s lives and fascinated by how food fuels the body and helps overall health?
- Are you invested in the intersection between nutrition and long-term health?
- Are you intrigued by how foods can be used medicinally to manage or reverse disease?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, nutrition is right up your alley.
To pick the best nutrition degree program for you, you’ll need to do some general research about nutrition degrees to get informed. Degrees come in all modalities and time commitments, from online to hybrid. Make sure the program you choose will help you achieve your long-term goals.
Download our eBook: What Can You Do with a Nutrition Degree?
Bastyr: The Natural Choice for a Degree in Nutrition
At Bastyr, we know the power of nutrition. Our degree programs seek to integrate the science of whole-food nutrition with environmental responsibility. We’ll teach you how to apply your passion for food to real-world action, ultimately changing your community for the better.
Some of our nutrition programs include:
- Nutrition and Culinary Arts
- Nutrition and Exercise Science
- Integrative Nutrition
- Dietetics
- Nutrition for Wellness and Health Coaching
After graduation, you’ll be prepared with a good foundation in nutrition and ready to take the next step in your journey, whether that be continued training, research, or entry into the workforce.
Our programs are flexible, with both online and in-person options, as well as the opportunity to complete your degree in as little as ten months.
See what a difference you can make in the health of your community. Pursue a degree in nutrition and see what nutrition jobs you can excel in.
