The top two U.S. schools that offer post graduate courses in nutrition are Hunter College at the City University of New York (CUNY) and the University of North Carolina. Hunter College is a public university in New York City, and has approximately 21,000 students. The tuition fee effective 2011 is $402.85 per credit hour for residents and $682.85 per credit hour for non-residents. The University of North Carolina is the oldest public university in the U.S. and has approximately 29,000 students as of 2011. The annual tuition fee as of 2011 is $5,922 for in-state students and $24,736 for out-of-state students.
Some other schools that offer post graduate courses in nutrition include Ohio State University, University of Texas at Austin, Pennsylvania State University, University of Illinois at Urbana, New York University, University of Wisconsin- Madison, University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, and University of Washington- Seattle campus.
Coursework focuses on the natural biochemical healing processes in the human body and how nutrition helps to support it. A post-graduate degree in nutrition covers courses in metabolic disease, proper eating habits, biochemistry, nutritional status, vitamins and botanical medicine. You must also complete a thesis or independent project to obtain your degree.
Holders of a post-graduate degree in nutrition can work in a variety of careers. Some of these include community dietitian, clinical dietitian, nutritional educator, hospital nutritionist, food science researcher, food service manager, pharmaceutical or food sales, private nutritionist or a pediatric dietitian. The primary function of these jobs is to advise clients on healthy eating, or designing foods with high nutritional value.
As of 2008, there were about 60,000 jobs for dietitians and nutritionists. About half of these were in hospitals. During the period between 2008 and 2018, the employment opportunity for registered dietitians is projected to increase to approximately 65,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Registered dietitians can find jobs in schools, prisons, hospital, as private consultants and community health centers. The average salary is $50,590 per year, as of 2011. Nutritionists and dietitians with more experience can demand higher salaries.