Want to learn more about nutrition? Perhaps you’re interested in pursuing a career as a nutritionist, consultant, dietitian, or some other role in the field of health and wellness.
If this sounds like you, formal training in nutrition is vital to starting your career. But what are your options if you don’t have time or money to pursue a degree?
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of short-term, affordable nutrition courses and certification programs you can pursue. Read on to learn more.
Top Online Nutrition Courses
There are many online nutrition courses and certifications. For the purpose of this article, all of the courses listed are available through online colleges and universities.
1. American College of Health Sciences
American College of Health Science is a private online school that focuses on providing a holistic health education. One of the available certificate programs is in holistic nutrition consulting.
This program teaches a range of nutrition topics, including transitional diets, wheatgrass therapy, fasting, and nutritional biochemistry.
The certificate program also teaches students how to establish their own practice and find information relative to state laws and regulations relative to nutrition. The program consists of 16 credit hours.
2. Emory University
Emory University is a private school located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is affiliated with the Emory Healthcare system and provides a variety of health-related degrees and certifications.
Online students can pursue the school’s health and wellness coaching certificate program that runs for 20 weeks. It includes both self-paced and live online class sessions, as well as a five-week practicum.
Students learn a variety of health-related topics, including nutrition, exercise, and work-life balance. They also learn essential communication and coaching skills to help clients improve their health.
3. Penn Foster Career School
Penn Foster Career School provides online certificates and diploma programs for career-oriented students. One of the programs is a certificate in fitness and nutrition.
This program is self-paced but usually takes about four months to complete. It prepares students to reach strength training and weight-loss goals, as well as improve their overall health through nutrition.
Topics covered include nutrition basics, stress management, strength and conditioning, anatomy and physiology, and more.
4. University of California
The University of California – San Diego is a member of the large University of California System. It offers an integrative nutrition certificate through its Division of Extended Studies.
This program can be completed entirely online and takes about 12 months. It is an excellent program for existing or aspiring healthcare workers, as well as anyone interested in a nutrition career.
This course teaches nutrition from a holistic perspective, including topics such as natural food production, food as medicine, and more.
5. University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas, but it offers many of its degree and certificate programs in a flexible online format.
Consider pursuing the online certificate in nutrition, a 12-credit-hour program. This program can be completed in a single semester of study.
The certification program prepares you for a variety of careers in nutrition, food production, and health and wellness.
6. Stanford University
Stanford University is a private school in California offering a wide variety of online degrees, certificates, and individual courses.
This school offers an eight-week course titled ‘Nutrition Science’. The course teaches you to understand and interpret scientific research to make more informed decisions relative to health and nutrition.
This course translates to a variety of career options, including health and wellness coaching and nutrition consulting.
7. Ashworth College
Ashworth College is a private online school owned by Penn Foster Group. It offers certificate and diploma programs as well as associate and bachelor’s degrees.
Students can pursue a career diploma in nutrition, diet, and health science. The self-paced program can be completed in just four months.
Learn about the science behind diet planning, the ways in which nutrition impacts health, and how to create meal plans using the MyPlate method.
8. University of Arizona
The University of Arizona provides many online programs in nutrition. If you’re interested in becoming a registered nutrition and dietetic technician, you can enroll in the school’s didactic program in dietetics.
This undergraduate certificate program requires a total of 88 credits, 65 of which can be transferred from another school.
Completing the program will prepare you for various careers in addition to becoming a registered nutrition and dietetic technician. You could also work in school nutrition, food service management, or research.
9. Huntington University of Health Sciences
Huntington University of Health Science is headquartered in Tennessee but provides all of its certificates, degrees, and diplomas through online distance education.
This school offers several nutrition-related diploma programs:
- women’s nutrition
- comprehensive nutrition
- sport nutrition
All programs are completed in 18 credit hours. The school also offers a short-term course titled ‘Vitamins, Minerals, and Nutraceuticals’ which teaches about nutritional medicines.
10. City College of San Francisco
City College of San Francisco is a large public community college in San Francisco. It offers many of its programs online.
Students interested in a short-term academic nutrition course can enroll in the three-credit course ‘Introduction to Child Nutrition.’
This program teaches nutrition with an emphasis on establishing a healthy lifestyle for children. Students can apply this knowledge to careers in nutritional consulting and school nutrition.
FAQs About Online Nutrition Courses
Continue reading for answers to commonly asked questions about online nutrition courses.
Are There Free Online Nutrition Courses?
Some websites offer free online nutrition courses, but many of these are not available through colleges. They can be useful but are limited.
Free online nutrition courses would be best used for information only, not for pursuing a career in nutrition.
What Do You Learn in Online Nutrition Courses?
Online nutrition courses teach students to provide consulting and coaching services relative to improving health through diet.
Topics may include:
- using food as medicine
- using food to improve athletic performance
- using food to promote healthy aging
What Careers Can You Get With Online Nutrition Courses?
You can pursue a variety of careers in a variety of fields with an online nutrition certification course. Some of the options include:
- nutrition consultation
- food safety
- sports nutrition
- health education
- weight management
Find the Best Online Nutrition Course for You
If you’re ready to start your fulfilling career in nutrition, the courses and certifications listed in this article are a great place to start. With so many options, you’re sure to find one to fit your needs and interests.
