Nutrition Science
Types of Degrees Nutrition Science Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many nutrition science graduations there were for each degree level during the last year for which data was available.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1,636 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 178 |
| Graduate Certificate | 131 |
What Nutrition Science Majors Need to Know
O*NET surveyed people in occupations related to nutrition science and asked them what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most important.
Knowledge Areas for Nutrition Science Majors
This major prepares you for careers in which these knowledge areas are important:
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Skills for Nutrition Science Majors
When studying nutrition science, you’ll learn many skills that will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs - even those that do not require a degree in the field. The following is a list of some of the most common skills needed for careers associated with this major:
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Abilities for Nutrition Science Majors
Nutrition Science majors often go into careers where the following abilities are vital:
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
What Can You Do With a Nutrition Science Major?
Below is a list of occupations associated with nutrition science:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Professors | 15.1% | $82,550 |
| Dietetic Technicians | 9.3% | $27,140 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 14.6% | $60,370 |
| Life Scientists | 9.0% | $78,190 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 8.0% | $79,590 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 9.9% | $123,860 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Nutrition Science?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of nutrition science majors is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 142 |
| Black or African American | 70 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 208 |
| White | 925 |
| International Students | 173 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 118 |
Geographic Diversity
Americans aren’t the only ones with an interest in Nutrition Science. About 10.6% of those with this major are international students.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Nutrition Science
Some careers associated with nutrition science require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.
How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to nutrition science have obtained the following education levels.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 5.8% |
| High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) | 13.1% |
| Some College Courses | 1.3% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.0% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 19.2% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 6.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.3% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 0.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 23.2% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 16.7% |
Online Nutrition Science Programs
The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 0 | 0 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 2 | 1 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 6 | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 20 | 4 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 0 | 0 |
| Master’s Degree | 108 | 11 |
| Post-Master’s | 6 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 52 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 1 | 1 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
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Majors Related to Nutrition Science
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to nutrition science.
References
*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
- Image Credit: By division, CSIRO under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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