Masters Degree in Nutrition

A master´s degree in nutrition prepares graduates to become registered dietitians who study the effects of food and exercise on the body and the relationship between food and diseases. Registered dietitians are qualified to design diets for patients with diabetes, food sensitivities and cancer. They also design weight loss programs for obese patients and counsel patients on nutrition and healthy choices. In the United States, 48 states have regulations for dietitians. 35 states require that dietitians be licensed, 12 states require certification and one state requires that dietitians register with the state.

Masters Degree in Nutrition - Facts

Applicants for a masters degree in nutrition program should have a bachelors degree in science and should have taken and passed the GRE. Many programs require college credits in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, chemistry and biology. The program can be completed in 2 years if the student attends full time. Coursework for the program may include nutrition, vitamins, minerals, metabolic disease, botanical medicine and biochemistry. Students must also complete a thesis or independent project depending on the requirements of the program in which they are enrolled.

Top Schools Offering a Masters Degree in Nutrition

The top ranked schools for a master´s degree in nutrition are the University of North Caroline at Chapel Hill, the University of Washington at Seattle, Ohio State University in Columbus, the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and Texas A&M University. Tuitions at these schools range from $39,700 per year to $53,700 per year. Rutgers University, New Brunswick and the University of California at Berkeley are among the top ten schools and their tuitions are between $35,400 per year and $36,000 per year. Residents of the state may be given special consideration on tuition at state universities.

Work Possible with a Masters Degree in Nutrition

Dietitians may work in healthcare institutions, public health agencies or educational institutions. Some dieticians chose a career as a private consultant. Positions available for dieticians with a master´s degree include research dietitian, clinical nutrition services director, college instructor, and health center nutritionist. In hospitals, dieticians plan meals for patients with special diets and in public school systems dieticians plan school lunches and advise students on proper nutrition. Dieticians that work in public health may teach classes on nutrition for pregnant women and mothers of young children

Salary and Outlook in Nutrition

The median salary in 2009 for dieticians in the United States was $52,150per year. The salary range was $42,000 to $63,000 per year. Salaries vary by specialty and geographical location and dieticians working in the public sector generally earn lower salaries than those working for private hospitals and nursing facilities.

Job growth for dieticians over the next 5 years is predicted to be about 9% which is lower than the national average for all jobs of 12%. An increasing awareness of the links between nutrition and health and a growing interest in holistic medicine may improve the job outlook. Dieticians can choose to work as self employed private consultants, which makes them less dependent on job growth in the public and private sectors.