Virginia Nutrition Programs & Online Degrees

Liberty University's Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a Nutrition concentration is a 120-credit, campus-based program accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The curriculum combines foundational sciences like anatomy and microbiology with applied nutrition courses, including a food preparation lab. Students gain hands-on experience through community outreach, nutrition fairs, and program planning, all within a Christ-centered framework taught by Registered Dietitians. Graduates are prepared for careers as community health or public health nutritionists, or for graduate study toward becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The program features kitchen laboratories, global outreach opportunities, and the ability to transfer up to 75% of credits, making it a flexible and practical choice for aspiring nutrition professionals.

• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredited
• 120 total credit hours
• Transfer up to 75% of credits
• Global outreach opportunities
• Hands-on community projects
• Kitchen labs for food preparation
• Student organizations for networking
• Christ-centered learning environment
• Careers in community and public health

Liberty University's online Master of Science in Nutrition offers a comprehensive curriculum in nutrition science, metabolism, and disease prevention, covering topics such as epidemiology, foodborne illness, and diabetes management. The 36-credit program is delivered in flexible 8-week courses with no set login times and eight start dates per year, making it ideal for working professionals. No GRE or standardized entrance exam is required for admission. Graduates pursue careers as non-licensed nutritionists, health educators, nutritional counselors, or wellness consultants, and the program serves as a stepping stone toward the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential. Tuition is $580 per credit, with a military rate of $290 per credit, and up to 50% of credits may be transferred.

• No entrance exam required
• $580 per credit
• 36 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• 8 start dates per year
• Asynchronous online classes
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• $50 application fee
• Military benefits accepted
• Financial aid available

Liberty University's Master of Science in Human Performance with a concentration in Sports Nutrition is a hybrid program designed for those who want to optimize athletic performance through evidence-based nutrition. The curriculum integrates exercise physiology, biomechanics, sports nutrition, and research methods, along with coursework on public health nutrition and chronic disease management. Students attend two residential intensives on Liberty's Lynchburg campus, gaining hands-on experience in advanced human performance labs. No entrance exam, such as the GRE, is required. The program offers a thesis or internship capstone and prepares graduates for careers as fitness trainers, wellness coaches, or healthcare specialists. With 35 credits, 8-week courses, and multiple start dates, it blends flexibility with practical, on-campus learning.

• No entrance exam required
• Test optional
• $580 per credit
• 35 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• 8 start dates per year
• Asynchronous online classes
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Thesis or capstone option
• $50 application fee

Liberty University's online Master of Science in Exercise Science and Wellness with a concentration in Nutrition and Wellness blends exercise physiology, public health, and clinical nutrition to help communities adopt healthier lifestyles. The 33-credit curriculum covers topics like diabetes, obesity, and chronic disease management, along with fitness assessment and community-based programming. Delivered 100% online in 8-week terms with no set login times, this program is tailored for working professionals. No standardized test is required for admission. Graduates are equipped for roles such as wellness coach, medical fitness specialist, health coordinator, or nutrition and exercise specialist. Up to 50% of credits can be transferred, and Liberty's private, nonprofit status ensures a quality, regionally accredited education.

• 33 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• 8 start dates per year
• Asynchronous online classes
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• $50 application fee
• Military benefits accepted
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available

George Mason University's Master of Science in Nutrition delivers a comprehensive education spanning nutrition science, food safety, and public health, with optional concentrations in Community Nutrition and Nutrition and Performance. Students gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities, including the Nutrition Kitchen and Human Assessment Lab, and benefit from interprofessional education. The program offers a choice between a practicum or thesis, allowing tailored career preparation. Prerequisites include NUTR 295 and BIOL 124. No standardized entrance exam is required for admission. Graduates achieve strong outcomes, with 89% working in related fields and an average salary of $69K+. Careers span public health, research, fitness, and corporate wellness.

• 2 concentration options
• 2020 graduates’ average salary is $69K+
• Prerequisite courses required
• Thesis or capstone option
• Interprofessional education focus
• State-of-the-art facilities: Nutrition Kitchen and Human Assessment Lab
• Prerequisites: NUTR 295 and BIOL 124
• 89% work in field related to career goals
• Faculty are industry-expert professionals
• Prepares for careers in public health

George Mason University's MS in Nutrition with a Community Nutrition concentration prepares students to identify and address nutrition challenges across diverse populations. Coursework covers global nutrition, food safety, and weight management, with an emphasis on developing targeted interventions. Students train in the Nutrition Kitchen and Human Assessment Lab, and can select a supervised practicum or thesis project. The program fosters interprofessional collaboration and is led by industry-expert faculty. No entrance exam is required. Alumni report 89% employment in career-related fields and an average salary of $69K+, with roles in public health agencies, non-profits, hospitals, and schools.

• 3 concentration options
• 2020 graduates’ average salary is $69K+
• Prerequisite courses required
• Thesis or capstone option
• 89% work in field related to career goals
• Interprofessional education emphasis
• State-of-the-art facilities: Nutrition Kitchen & Lab
• Supervised practicum or thesis option
• Faculty are industry-expert professionals
• Career fields: public health, research, media, corporate wellness

The MS in Nutrition with a Community Nutrition concentration at George Mason University blends core courses such as Nutrition Across the Lifespan and Food Systems with specialized classes like Advanced Community Nutrition and Food and Culture. Students complete 39-45 credits and choose between a 200-hour supervised practicum or a thesis guided by a three-member committee. The curriculum emphasizes assessment and intervention on local to global scales, with elective flexibility. An accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathway is available for qualified undergraduates. No entrance exam is required. Graduates are positioned for careers in agencies and nonprofits, or further doctoral study.

• 3 concentration options
• Thesis or capstone option
• 39-45 total credits required
• 200-hour practicum fieldwork option
• Thesis research with three-member committee
• Prepares for community nutrition careers
• Focus on assessing and intervening in nutrition issues
• Global and local nutrition perspectives
• Elective flexibility with advisor approval
• Accelerated bachelor's to master's option

The MS in Nutrition with a concentration in Nutrition and Performance at George Mason University integrates nutrition science with physical activity principles to prepare students for careers in sports nutrition, fitness coaching, and corporate wellness. The interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes assessing and intervening in performance-related nutrition issues. Students use the Nutrition Kitchen and Human Assessment Lab and may choose a practicum or thesis. The program prepares graduates for International Society for Sports Nutrition (ISSN) certification. No entrance exam is required for admission. Alumni enjoy strong outcomes: 89% work in related fields, with an average salary exceeding $69,000. Careers span hospitals, sports organizations, research, and media.

• 2020 graduates’ average salary is $69K+
• Prerequisite courses required
• Thesis or capstone option
• Interprofessional education focus
• Brand new Nutrition Kitchen and Human Nutrition Assessment Lab
• Interdisciplinary approach to physical activity and nutrition
• Prepares for ISSN sports nutrition certification
• 89% of graduates work in field related to career goals
• Career fields include public health, research, media, fitness coaching, corporate wellness
• Faculty are industry-expert professionals

Virginia Tech’s Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, housed in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, is ACEND-accredited and readies students for RDN or DTR careers. The interdisciplinary curriculum blends physical and social sciences with foods and nutrition, fostering critical thinking and communication alongside exercise science students. Graduates pursue roles as clinical dietitians, sports dietitians, or community nutrition managers, with alumni achieving high pass rates on the credentialing exam. Admission to the major requires a 2.8 GPA and prerequisite courses, not ACT/SAT scores. After the B.S., students must complete a graduate degree and supervised practice for RDN eligibility. Financial aid and scholarships support learners, and individualized advising helps guide professional development.

• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited
• 2.8 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for CDR credentialing exam
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Prepares for registered dietitian nutritionist credential
• Alumni work as clinical dietitians, sports dietitians
• Eligible for DTR exam after graduation
• Interdisciplinary curriculum with exercise science

Virginia Tech’s Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is an ACEND-accredited program designed for RDN certification, completable in 17 months. It offers two entry routes: a direct pathway for those without a dietetics background and an accelerated B.S./M.S. for current HNFE majors. The curriculum integrates didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in clinical and community settings, covering nutrition counseling for behavior change, evidence-based practice, and medical nutrition therapy. Clinical placements occur at Carilion Clinic. Graduates are prepared for careers in hospitals, public health, and research. No GRE is required for admission; instead, applicants must complete prerequisites, with a summer pathway available for flexibility. The program emphasizes interprofessional teamwork and leadership.

• ACEND accredited
• 2 concentration options
• 17-Month program
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for RDN registration exam
• Focus on nutrition counseling for behavior change
• Clinical experience at Carilion Clinic
• Direct entry for non-dietetics backgrounds
• Prerequisite pathway available in summer
• Integration of coursework and experiential learning

Radford University’s Foods and Nutrition B.S. prepares students for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist careers through a curriculum emphasizing medical nutrition therapy and nutrition counseling. Required field experiences provide real-world exposure, while registered dietitians deliver personalized instruction in a low faculty-student ratio environment. Graduates achieve strong outcomes: 84% first-time RDN exam pass rate, 100% placement in competitive dietetic internships, and consistent graduate school acceptance. Career opportunities span wellness, disease prevention, healthcare, food service, and public health. The SAND student organization facilitates networking. For bachelor’s admission, applicants should confirm whether SAT or ACT scores are required, as Radford evaluates applications holistically.

• 84% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for RDN exam
• Close-knit environment with RDN faculty
• Low faculty-student ratio
• Focus on nutrition counseling and MNT
• 100% internship placement rate
• 100% graduate school acceptance
• Required field experience included
• Student organization SAND available

Virginia State University's Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science, concentration in Dietetics, is an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The curriculum offers a strong science foundation in nutrition science, medical nutrition therapy, physiology, biochemistry, and management. Students examine the link between food, nutrition, and health while gaining practical experience through volunteer opportunities with extension specialists and research faculty. Graduates are eligible to apply for ACEND-accredited dietetic internships, pursue advanced degrees, or enter health, food, nutrition, and wellness careers. A post-baccalaureate certificate is available for those already holding a bachelor's degree. As an HBCU, the university emphasizes personalized mentoring through small classes, preparing students for the CDR credentialing exam and RD/RDN credentials.

• ACEND accredited
• 80% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for CDR credentialing exam
• Prepares for RD/RDN credential
• Courses in nutrition science and MNT
• Volunteer with extension specialists
• Concurrent B.S. and DPD completion
• Eligible for dietetic internship
• Graduates enter health/food/nutrition fields
• Certificate option for post-baccalaureate