A Degree in Nutrition Can Help You Find a Variety of Careers
Whether you are an athlete looking to improve performance, someone who is suffering from an illness or a person wanting to help others eat better, a degree in nutrition can be a valuable tool. Many of the top-tier colleges offer degrees in this field, and many graduates find a wide variety of careers after they graduate.
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Options
At the bachelor’s level, students can study nutrition science or dietetics. They can also choose a concentration, such as nutrition education or public health, to focus on their specific interests. Some of these programs even provide a work placement for a year, giving students hands-on experience.
Other universities also offer nutrition degrees at the graduate level, including those that focus on medical or scientific research. Students can complete an MS in nutrition or a doctoral degree, which can lead to a career as a professor or researcher.
The degree program at SUNY College at Plattsburgh is designed to prepare students for entry into a dietitian internship or a subsequent career as a registered dietitian. Classes cover a wide range of topics, such as nutritional assessment, diet and meal planning, food service get help management, budgeting and more.
Earning a degree in nutrition and food studies helps you understand the role that food plays in society. You will learn about the history of food, how food is cultivated and processed and how it can be used to benefit human health. You will also be exposed to various food cultures and traditions, so you can bring that knowledge back home with you.
For those who are interested in global health and the environment, the nutrition major at Syracuse University is an excellent choice. The school’s Experimental Foods Laboratory is a place where students can practice their culinary skills while learning about different cultures and eating patterns.
The school also offers a variety of nutrition courses, such as the Mediterranean Diet and Foods and Culture. There are also opportunities to take part in fieldwork or volunteer work in a local hospital, school, or sports team.
Undergraduates in the department are assigned a faculty member who can be a guide through the program. This can be helpful because a lot of the faculty members are experts in the field and can answer any questions that may arise.
After completing the required courses, undergraduates can go on to a 1,200-hour dietetic internship. This is supervised and is a combination of classwork and practice, so it is an excellent way to gain the necessary skills needed for a dietetics career.
Those who are already registered dietitians can advance their knowledge and experience by earning a graduate degree in nutrition and dietetics. These programs are typically two years in length and focus on advanced study of the science and practice of clinical nutrition.
Graduates who have completed a master’s in nutrition and dietetics can use the knowledge they’ve gained to advance their career in medicine, dentistry or public health. They can also apply for advanced training as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.