An associate's degree in nutrition is the fastest educational route to becoming a nutritionist or dietitian. Most two-year associate's degree programs combine nutrition and health classes with practical experience in a clinical setting. According to Education-Portal, students can expect to take classes in nutrition, food science, culinary studies, biochemistry, physiology and metabolism. An associate's degree in nutrition provides graduates with the basic foundation of skills, knowledge and experience for entry-level positions in the health-care industry, such as nutritionist assistants. If a nutrition program is not available at a community college near you, consider associate's degree programs in health-care management or health science.
A four-year bachelor's degree in nutrition is required for a career as a registered dietitian or a licensed nutritionist. A bachelor's degree program in nutrition combines knowledge, research, skills and experience to prepare students for careers in the nutrition industry. According to University.com, typical coursework offered in a four-year nutrition program includes classes in nutrition, chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, food absorption, digestion, psychology and health-care management. Look for programs that offer hands-on clinical experience through labs and internships. Bachelor degree programs in nutrition science, health-care management and health science are also popular options for students seeking nutrition careers.
Although a master's degree in nutrition is not required for a successful career as a licensed nutritionist or a registered dietitian, it can offer advanced career options with higher salaries. According to Nutritionist World, there are typically two types of master's degrees in nutrition: a master's degree in applied nutrition or a master's degree in experimental nutrition. A master's degree in applied nutrition focuses on topics such as clinical nutrition, public health or nutrition education. The applied nutrition route is ideal for students pursuing client-based or administrative nutrition careers. A master's degree in experimental nutrition focuses on clinical and laboratory nutrition research. The experimental nutrition advanced degree prepares students to work in research or academic environments with health institutions, biomedical facilities or government agencies.