Nutrition Degree - Schools, College

Better Yourself And Others With A Nutrition Degree

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Obesity is a huge problem for many people in the United States; one that many people have quick fix diet tips for, but few are really educated about. Society lacks proper nutrition primarily because of the influx of fast food places combined with our fast paced lives and little time to cook healthily. Having a nutrition degree means that you could educate people in basic ways to improve their health, while improving your own at the same time.

Job Description and Education Required

A nutritionist's role is to plan food programs for clients, educate them on a balanced nutrition without dieting, and help treat illnesses by working on the body from the inside out and promoting foods that can conquer ailments.

You will need to attend nutrition schools and get a minimum of a master's degree to become a nutritionist. A master's course will take about 1 year to complete, or 2-3 years if you study part time. Your class load will include subjects like food science, dietics, food and nutrition, biochemistry and biotechnology and learn how food is used for human development and to stimulate metabolism. With a master's degree, you can get a job as a personal trainer, educator of health, nutrition researcher or public health planners, as some ideas.

If you already have a master's degree, you can take a certificate in sports nutrition which will prepare you for the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer Exam. you can do this certificate online in 1-2 years, and in the certificate program you will study nutrition, wellness and fitness, the psychology of sports, practicing sports nutrition and assessing and recommending exercise.

Subjects Covered In Materials

Many people also get their doctor of science or public health in nutrition. Subjects you will take in this training include nutritional epidemiology, advanced biochemistry, physiology and biostatistics. You will learn about nutritional research in relation to its affect on diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart disease and methods to analyse the nutritional affect of different foods on body tissue. A doctorate in the field usually leads to a career in research.

Although it is not required, you also have the option to become a Certified Nutrition Specialist by getting certified from either the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists or the Registered Dietician credential from the American Dietetic Association. You will need to have completed an internship before certfication is possible.

It establishes your competency in the field, and it needs to be renewed every 5 years. You do need to be licensed however, to practice as a dietician or nutritionist in 35 states. Each state has different requirements and offers the licensing exam.

Salary Range

The growth of the nutrition industry is average, with an expected increase of about 9% until 2016. Salary ranges in the field are greatly dependent on the nutrition college you attended and the level of training you received. The average annual salary can range from $43,000 to $49,950, but can grow to over $60,000 for experienced professionals.

A nutrition degree can definitely open a lot of doors for a serious worker, and the benefit is that you can apply your studies to your own life to ensure the health and well being of yourself and your family.