Missouri Nutrition Programs & Online Degrees

Southeast Missouri State University's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition offers three specialized tracks: the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics, a Nutrition and Wellness track, and a Nutrition Science track. This 120-credit on-campus program emphasizes evidence-based principles with hands-on experience in clinical, community, and food service settings, often working alongside registered dietitians. Students can pursue internships at hospitals, health fairs, and agencies, while networking with professionals. Graduates are prepared for roles as dietitians, food scientists, or health educators, plus advanced study in medical or graduate school. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Applicants should verify admission requirements, including any standardized test expectations.

• ACEND accredited
• 3 concentration options
• 120 total credit hours
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Hands-on clinical experience
• ACEND-accredited DPD track
• Prepares for dietitian credential
• Internships at hospitals and agencies
• Career outcomes: dietitian, food scientist

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) concentration at Southeast Missouri State University is the foundational step toward becoming a registered dietitian. This ACEND-accredited, 120-credit program covers nutritional science, medical nutrition therapy, food service management, and community health, with courses in anatomy, chemistry, microbiology, and food science. Hands-on experiences include clinical rotations, health fairs, and community education alongside registered dietitians in hospitals and agencies. Admission to the DPD is required for upper-division courses. Graduates are eligible for supervised practice internships and the national credentialing exam, with career paths in dietetics, food science, and health education. Financial aid and career services are available. Standardized test requirements for admission should be confirmed with the university.

• ACEND accredited
• 3 concentration options
• 4-Year program
• 120 total credit hours
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Prepares for Registered Dietitian career
• Work alongside registered dietitians
• Network with industry professionals
• Admission to DPD required for upper division

Southeast Missouri State University's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a Nutrition and Wellness concentration prepares students for impactful careers in community health. This on-campus, 120-credit program blends core nutrition sciences such as nutrition assessment and medical nutrition therapy with practical skills in health promotion, disease prevention, and nutrition education. Students engage in hands-on learning by providing nutrition education to senior citizens, participating in health fairs, and working alongside registered dietitians in local hospitals. With dedicated faculty mentorship and networking opportunities, graduates are ready to become health educators, community nutritionists, or wellness coordinators. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based, real-world practice. Scholarships and financial aid are available. Applicants should check university admissions policies for ACT/SAT requirements.

• 3 concentration options
• 120 total credit hours
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Work closely with dedicated faculty
• Hands-on nutrition education experience
• Network with industry professionals
• Focus on health promotion and prevention
• Prepare as community health educator
• Evidence-based nutritional principles

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a Nutrition Science concentration at Southeast Missouri State University is a rigorous, science-oriented program designed for students pursuing medical school or graduate studies. The curriculum integrates anatomy, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, and microbiology with specialized courses like Medical Nutrition Therapy and Nutrition Assessment. Students gain hands-on experience in clinical, community, and food service settings, often working with registered dietitians and participating in health fairs. This 120-credit, four-year on-campus program prepares graduates for careers in research, healthcare, or further education. Located in Cape Girardeau, the program offers dedicated faculty and career services. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Undergraduate admission typically requires ACT/SAT scores; verify current policies.

• 3 concentration options
• 4-Year program
• 120 total credit hours
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Prepares for medical school or graduate school
• Hands-on experience in clinical and community settings
• Science-based curriculum includes anatomy, chemistry, biochemistry
• Career salaries: dietitian $74k, food scientist $88k

Southeast Missouri State University's Master of Science in Applied Nutrition is an ACEND-accredited 15-month cohort program that combines 100% online coursework with in-person supervised experiential learning. The 36-credit curriculum covers advanced medical nutrition therapy, food science, community nutrition, counseling, statistics, and research methods, culminating in a capstone. Students complete over 1,000 hours of field experience across seven states or through a remote distance option. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Registered Dietitian exam and pursue careers as clinical dietitians, sports dietitians, food service managers, or wellness coaches. Summer admission only; apply by January 15. Requirements include a 3.0 GPA, prerequisite courses, and work experience. No standardized entrance exam is listed.

• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited
• 15-Month program
• 36 total credit hours
• Apply by 2026-01-15
• Starts summer
• Cohort-based structure
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Work experience required
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required

The University of Central Missouri offers an ACEND-accredited Master of Science in Nutrition program in a hybrid format, designed to be completed in just 16 months. With 43 credit hours and small cohorts of 15, students receive personalized mentorship from faculty who are practicing registered dietitian nutritionists. Curriculum covers medical nutrition therapy, nutrition across the lifespan, and research methods, culminating in a capstone project. Supervised experiential learning takes place in Kansas City healthcare and food service settings. Graduates are prepared for the RDN exam and careers in hospitals, clinics, community health, and foodservice management. All students receive an automatic $1,000 scholarship, plus financial aid options. UCM provides an affordable, accelerated path to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist.

• ACEND accredited
• 16-Month program
• 43 total credit hours
• Cohort-based structure
• Capstone required
• Prepares for Registration Examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN)
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• 15 students per cohort
• Automatic $1,000 scholarship

The Master of Science in Nutrition with a Clinical Nutrition concentration at the University of Central Missouri is an ACEND-accredited, 16-month hybrid program. Total tuition is $21,360, with a $1,000 scholarship automatically awarded. Students complete 43 credit hours, including coursework in medical nutrition therapy, lifespan nutrition, and counseling, plus a capstone research project. The cohort model limits each group to 15 students for close faculty guidance. Supervised experiential learning is completed in Kansas City hospitals, clinics, and foodservice settings. This program prepares graduates for the RDN exam and careers in hospitals, schools, community health, and fitness centers. It has been ranked as a best online nutrition program, offering flexibility while maintaining rigorous standards.

• ACEND accredited
• $21,360 total program tuition
• 16-Month program
• 43 total credit hours
• Cohort-based structure
• Capstone required
• Prepares for Registration Examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN)
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Automatic $1,000 scholarship

UCM's Master of Science in Nutrition with a Sport Nutrition concentration prepares students for careers in sports nutrition or to advance an existing RDN credential. This flexible online or hybrid program can be completed in as little as 24 months with 33 credit hours. The curriculum includes sports nutrition, exercise metabolism, and human performance analysis, with hands-on learning in state-of-the-art human performance labs. Students choose between a thesis or capstone option. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio and total tuition of $16,390, the program boasts a 100% job placement rate. Graduates work at universities, medical centers, wellness facilities, and community programs like WIC. Recognized for its excellence, this degree offers a lower tuition than comparable programs.

• $16,390 total program tuition
• Complete in Finish in as little as 24 months
• 33 total credit hours
• 100% job placement rate
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Thesis or capstone option
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• 10:1 student-faculty ratio

Northwest Missouri State University's Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition provides a science-based curriculum exploring nutrition's role in human health. Students may select a dietetics track, leading to Registered Dietitian Nutritionist eligibility through an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics, or a general track for wellness and food service management careers. Coursework includes food science, medical nutrition therapy, community and lifespan nutrition, plus hands-on learning in a modern foods laboratory and a 40-hour practicum. With small classes and dedicated advisors, graduates pursue roles as clinical or sports dietitians and food service directors. The program features an 80% licensure pass rate and multiple scholarship opportunities.

• ACEND accredited
• 2 concentration options
• 80% licensure pass rate
• 40 clinical hours
• Capstone required
• Prepares for CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• ACEND accredited through 2031
• State-of-the-art foods lab

Northwest Missouri State University's Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition with a Dietetics concentration provides a direct path to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist. This ACEND-accredited program requires 120 credit hours, blending biochemistry and physiology with professional coursework in medical nutrition therapy, food science, and community nutrition. Students gain practical experience in a state-of-the-art foods lab, complete 40 hours of job shadowing and a dietetics practicum, and finish with a senior capstone. The program boasts an 80% licensure pass rate and offers scholarships exclusively for dietetic students. Graduates are equipped for careers as clinical dietitians, sports dietitians, or food service directors, supported by small classes and experienced faculty.

• ACEND accredited
• 2 concentration options
• 120 total credit hours
• 80% licensure pass rate
• 2.9 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• Prepares for CDR credentialing exam
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available

Northwest Missouri State University's online Master of Science in Nutrition, concentration in General Nutrition, prepares professionals for leadership in public health and wellness. The 30-credit curriculum covers U.S. and global nutrition policies, grant writing, data analytics, research methods, and behavior change strategies, with an emphasis on current trends and leadership skills. Designed for working adults, the program offers accelerated 7-week courses with multiple entry points, allowing completion in as little as 12 months. Delivered by doctoral faculty rather than teaching assistants, it is affordably priced at $464 per credit with no out-of-state surcharge. Graduates become food nutrition services directors, wellness coaches, or public health nutrition specialists.

• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics accredited
• 2 concentration options
• $13,920 total program tuition
• $464 per credit
• 12-Month program
• 30 total credit hours
• 10 total courses
• Starts summer/fall
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required

Northwest Missouri State University's online Master of Science in Nutrition with a Dietetics Internship track is the final step for students holding a DPD verification statement and aiming for RDN credentialing. This ACEND-accredited program pairs advanced coursework in nutrition policy, global health, data analytics, grant writing, and behavior change with a nine-month supervised practice in clinical, community, and food service settings across northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. The 30-credit curriculum is delivered in 7-week sessions with multiple start dates, perfect for working professionals. Tuition is $464 per credit, with no out-of-state surcharge. Graduates emerge as registered dietitians, clinical managers, or public health nutritionists, prepared to lead in diverse healthcare environments.

• ACEND accredited
• 2 concentration options
• $13,920 total program tuition
• $464 per credit
• 9-Month program
• Complete in nine-month supervised practice
• 30 total credit hours
• Apply by 2026-06-12
• 4 start dates per year
• Starts summer/fall

Missouri State University's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics combines rigorous academics with real-world application. The fully ACEND-accredited program (through 2031) features award-winning registered dietitians as faculty, small student cohorts, and hands-on learning via service projects, research, and study-abroad opportunities. Students can choose from three concentration areas and follow structured sample degree plans for a two-year transfer or traditional four-year path. The program boasts a 98% internship acceptance rate, a 95% licensure pass rate, and 100% employment within one year of graduation. Graduates are prepared for ACEND-accredited dietetic internships and the RD exam. While the department itself does not publish a standardized test requirement, prospective students should consult Missouri State's undergraduate admissions office for current ACT/SAT policies.

• ACEND accredited
• 3 concentration options
• 95% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• Prepares for RD exam
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• 98% internship acceptance rate
• Full ACEND accreditation through 2031
• Award-winning RD/RDN faculty

This graduate program at Missouri State University offers a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with a focused emphasis on population health and health promotion. Fully accredited by ACEND, the curriculum blends community nutrition strategies, clinical practice, and communication skills to prepare future leaders in public health nutrition. Students benefit from one-on-one mentorship with faculty engaged in cutting-edge research and community outreach. Two admission pathways accommodate both registered dietitian nutritionists and those entering the field anew, with up to 11 credit hours transferable. Graduates are eligible to sit for the RDN exam and can expect strong career prospects, with an 11% projected job growth through 2029 and an average salary surpassing $63,000. The program description does not specify a mandatory entrance exam, so applicants should verify GRE requirements with the department.

• ACEND accredited
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Qualify for RDN registration exam
• Emphasis on population health
• Transfer up to 11 credit hours
• Full ACEND accreditation
• One-on-one faculty attention
• Average salary $63,000+
• Job growth 11% through 2029

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at Missouri State University delivers a comprehensive ACEND-accredited curriculum emphasizing health equity through advanced medical nutrition therapy, food service management, and community nutrition. Students select a Population Health track—focused on health behavior and epidemiology—or a Clinical track—covering pharmacology and metabolism. Hands-on practicums in medical nutrition therapy, population health, and food service management provide practical immersion. The 35-credit program includes a thesis or non-thesis capstone project and requires a 3.0 GPA for admission. An accelerated option allows undergraduates to begin graduate coursework early. Graduates qualify for the RDN credential and work in hospitals, community agencies, and educational institutions. No entrance exam requirement is mentioned in the program materials; interested applicants should confirm with the department whether the GRE is necessary.

• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited
• 35 total credit hours
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Thesis or capstone option
• Prepares for RDN credential
• Emphasis on population health
• Accelerated master's option
• Population Health track
• Clinical track

The University of Missouri–Columbia offers a BS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology with a concentration in Nutrition and Foods. The ACEND-accredited program requires 122 credit hours and provides two tracks—Dietetics (accelerated BS-to-MS option) and Food Science—with coursework in biochemistry, physiology, food chemistry, and medical nutrition therapy. Students gain hands-on experience through supervised practice and a capstone research project. The campus-based program benefits from an on-campus hospital and is military friendly. Graduates are prepared for RDN certification, food product development, or community nutrition roles. Admission requirements do not explicitly list ACT/SAT; applicants should consult the university for current testing policies.

• ACEND accredited
• 2 concentration options
• 122 total credit hours
• 2.0 GPA minimum
• Capstone required
• Prepares for RDN career
• Supervised practice experiences included
• Accelerated BS to MS option
• Two tracks: Dietetics or Food Science
• Capstone research project required

College of the Ozarks’ Bachelor of Science in Applied Nutrition integrates food science with a Christian worldview. Students explore principles of food preparation, how ingredient variations impact finished products, and nutritional needs across the lifespan. Coursework covers fundamentals of food, the science of nutrition, and specialized applications for special populations and health conditions. This holistic approach prepares graduates for careers in nutrition, dietetics, food service management, and community health. Faculty includes Associate Professor Jennifer Hernandez, a registered dietitian, offering personalized guidance. The program’s evangelical Christian foundation emphasizes compassionate service. As a campus-based bachelor’s degree, it provides hands-on learning; however, specific ACT or SAT entrance exam requirements are not disclosed in the provided data.

• Principles of food preparation
• Christian worldview applied
• Science of nutrition
• Nutritional needs across lifespan
• Ingredient impact on products
• Fundamentals of food