Master’s in Nutrition Program Guide

Are you considering a career helping others reach their health and wellness goals? Then, a master’s in nutrition may appeal to you.

A career as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) now requires a master’s degree. Beginning in 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration changed the minimum degree requirement to take the RDN exam from a bachelor’s to a master’s.

Nutrition grad school programs are even more essential now if you want to become a dietitian or nutritionist.

Many graduates from master’s of nutrition programs become nutritionists or registered dietitians (RDs). A master’s degree in nutrition should equip you with the knowledge necessary to advise patients on health and wellness, focusing on their diet.

However, a nutrition degree can also open the door to other careers.

Some graduates may go on to become technical writers with a focus on nutrition. Others may provide consulting services for corporations or colleges and universities.

Licensed nutritionists typically advise patients or clients on nutritional goals and often help build plans to achieve those goals.

Licensing bodies for nutritionists include:

To earn this license, a certified nutrition specialist must hold a graduate degree and pass an exam administered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists.

An RD and an RDN are two names for the same role.

RDs offer more specialized care to clients than nutritionists, but RDs also have a more extensive credentialing process. RDs must complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice after completing a master’s program. Then, they must pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam.

Despite the extensive licensing requirements, RDs cannot diagnose health conditions. They can write nutrition problem statements that can be remedied by medical nutrition therapy.

State licensing requirements for nutritionists and RDs vary.

Approximately half of states require licensure or certification for RDs but not nutritionists. Meanwhile, in 18 states, offering personalized nutrition counseling without a license or exemption is illegal.

In four states — Arizona, Colorado, Michigan and Virginia — there are no licensing requirements for RDs or nutritionists.

Carefully research the requirements to become a nutritionist or dietician in your state. For state-specific information, refer to the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s licensure map.

A nutrition grad school program provides scientific and practical education in nutrition and wellness.

You’ll learn about how different foods, vitamins, and drugs interact in the body. Example courses include nutrition and metabolism. You’ll also take classes with a more practical focus on examining a patient, deducing what that patient needs to reach a specified goal, and creating a plan to reach that goal.

Some master’s in nutrition programs will allow you to pursue a concentration. These concentrations offer targeted courses and experiences that focus on a more niche aspect of the field.

A master’s in nutrition program will likely take one to three years to complete. The timeline is largely dependent on your situation.

For example, if you are a part-time student, it could take as long as three years. If you are a full-time student, a master’s program typically takes two years to complete. You can finish accelerated master’s programs in just one year.

Another thing to consider is whether your master’s program requires a seminar, master’s thesis, or internship. These components may lengthen your enrollment period.

RDs and nutritionists earn a median annual salary of $69,680, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top 10% of earners in these fields make $98,830 yearly. Higher earners tend to hold graduate degrees or other advanced qualifications.

Nutritionist jobs are in high demand. The BLS projects the employment of dietitians and nutritionists to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032 — about 5,600 openings yearly over the next decade. This rate is more than double the average growth rate of 3% for all occupations.

A master’s in nutrition is worthwhile if you intend to become a licensed nutritionist or RD.

You’ll need a master’s degree to earn licensure for either of these fields. While that master’s doesn’t have to be in nutrition, a master’s in nutrition may better equip you to be a practicing nutritionist or dietitian after graduation.

Even if you live in a state where licensure isn’t required, a master’s degree could enhance your credibility and increase your earning potential.