West Virginia Nutrition Programs & Online Degrees

2026 Best Nutrition Degree Programs in West Virginia

Are you looking for the best nutrition degree programs in West Virginia? At nutritiondegrees.org, we've ranked the top options to help you find a great fit for your education and career goals. Our team evaluates schools based on factors like accreditation, curriculum quality, and student support. For a detailed look at how we create these rankings, check out our methodology at https://www.nutritiondegrees.org/about-us/#ranking. Start your journey to a rewarding career in nutrition with our trusted guide.

#1

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV - Public 4-Year - wvu.edu

Associate - Human Nutrition and Food

Campus Based - Visit Website

West Virginia University's Associate of Science in Human Nutrition and Food at Potomac State College provides a two-year foundation for careers in nutrition and healthcare, preparing students for transfer to bachelor's programs. The curriculum includes biology, chemistry, and nutrition courses, emphasizing scientific understanding and critical thinking. Admission may require ACT or SAT exams for freshman entry, and the program supports paths to becoming registered dietitian nutritionists or entering pre-professional health tracks.

• Associate in Science degree
• Pathway to registered dietitian
• Transfer to bachelor's program
• Strong science foundation
• Pre-professional health track
• 60 total credit hours
• Biology and chemistry focus
• Multiple career opportunities

Bachelor's - Human Nutrition and Food

Campus Based - Visit Website

West Virginia University's Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Food prepares students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists, requiring a bachelor's degree, a 2.75 GPA in the Didactic Program in Dietetics, and passing a national exam. Starting in 2024, a graduate degree will be mandatory for the registration exam. The curriculum covers food science, nutrition, and management with tailored electives, and admission follows WVU's criteria, which may include ACT or SAT exams for freshman entry. This program blends scientific knowledge with practical skills for diverse health careers.

• Bachelor of Science degree
• Prepares for dietitian registration
• Requires 2.75 GPA
• Graduate degree needed from 2024
• Covers food science and nutrition
• Electives support career goals
• Freshman or transfer admission
• Combines science and practical skills

Master's - Nutritional and Food Science, M.S.

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Master of Science in Nutritional and Food Science at West Virginia University offers a flexible, research-driven program with thesis and non-thesis tracks, exploring human and animal nutrition. It requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA and no standardized entrance exams like the GRE. Students gain advanced skills through original research and faculty collaboration, preparing for professional roles in nutrition and food science fields.

• Flexible thesis/non-thesis options
• 30-36 total credit hours
• No GRE requirement
• Research-focused curriculum
• Graduate dietetic internship available
• Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA
• Core statistical methods courses
• Oral examination for graduation

Master's - Animal and Nutritional Sciences

Concentration: Nutrition and Food Sciences - Campus Based - Visit Website

West Virginia University's MS in Animal and Nutritional Sciences with a concentration in Nutrition and Food Sciences offers a flexible curriculum with thesis or coursework options, focusing on research in animal and human nutrition. It requires a bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA, three recommendation letters, and a statement of purpose, with no specified entrance exam. Located in Morgantown, the program uses a comparative approach and hands-on research to prepare graduates for careers in human health and nutrition.

• Flexible course options
• Thesis or coursework choice
• Research with animals
• Focus on human nutrition
• 2.75 GPA requirement
• Three recommendation letters
• Statement of purpose needed
• Located in Morgantown, WV
• Comparative approach emphasized
• Prepares for health careers

Master's - Animal and Nutritional Sciences, M.S.

Concentration: Nutrition and Food Sciences - Campus Based - Visit Website

The M.S. in Animal and Nutritional Sciences with a concentration in Nutrition and Food Sciences at West Virginia University provides a campus-based program with hands-on learning using extensive farm facilities. It prepares students for careers as dietitians and researchers, requiring a bachelor's degree in a related field with no mentioned entrance exam. The curriculum emphasizes rigorous academics and practical experience, supported by available financial aid and scholarships.

• Campus-based program.
• Concentration in Nutrition.
• Hands-on learning opportunities.
• Extensive farm facilities.
• Prepares for diverse careers.

Show 4 More Programs ˅

#2

Pierpont Community and Technical College

Fairmont, WV - Public 2-Year - pierpont.edu

Associate - Food Service Management, Nutrition and Dietetics Technology

Online Learning - Visit Website

Pierpont Community and Technical College's Food Service Management and Nutrition and Dietetics Technology program is an open-enrollment, online option that does not require an ACT or SAT for admission, as it is a bachelor's-level program. It offers comprehensive training with ACF-certified chef instructors and hands-on experiences, including ServSafe certifications. As the first ACEND-accredited nutrition program in West Virginia, it prepares graduates for roles like kitchen supervisors and nutrition technicians, with strong industry connections and multiple concentrations available.

• Open enrollment institution
• Multiple program concentrations
• ACF certified chef instructors
• Nationally top-rated culinary program
• First ACEND-accredited nutrition program in WV
• Hands-on training environment
• ServSafe skill set available
• Online and campus options

*Source data: IPEDS 2023, compiled by NCES.

How to Choose the Right Nutrition School for You

Selecting the right nutrition program is crucial for your career success. With 2 institutions in West Virginia offering nutrition education at multiple levels, use this guide to identify the program that best matches your goals, learning style, and circumstances.

Start with Your Career Goals

Want to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?

• West Virginia University – Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Food preparing for dietitian registration
• WVU – Graduate dietetic internship available with MS in Nutritional and Food Science

Interested in food service management and culinary nutrition?

• Pierpont Community and Technical College – Food Service Management, Nutrition and Dietetics Technology (first ACEND-accredited nutrition program in WV)

Planning to work in nutrition research or food science?

• West Virginia University – MS in Nutritional and Food Science with research opportunities
• WVU – MS in Animal and Nutritional Sciences with comparative nutrition approach

Want to become a nutrition technician?

• Pierpont Community and Technical College – Associate degree preparing for nutrition technician roles

Interested in agricultural and animal nutrition?

• West Virginia University – MS in Animal and Nutritional Sciences with hands-on farm facility experience

Consider Your Educational Background

Starting fresh or need foundational courses?

• West Virginia University Potomac State College – Associate of Science in Human Nutrition and Food (transfer pathway)
• Pierpont Community and Technical College – Open enrollment with multiple concentrations

Ready for undergraduate study?

• West Virginia University – Bachelor’s program with flexible electives for career customization

Already have a bachelor’s degree? Graduate options:

• West Virginia University – MS in Nutritional and Food Science (thesis or non-thesis tracks)
• WVU – MS in Animal and Nutritional Sciences with specialization options

Planning to transfer from associate degree?

• WVU Potomac State – Designed specifically as transfer pathway to bachelor’s programs

Learning Format Preferences

Need online flexibility?

• Pierpont Community and Technical College – Online program with flexible scheduling

Want traditional campus experience?

• West Virginia University – All programs campus-based in Morgantown
• WVU – Access to extensive farm facilities and research opportunities

Prefer hands-on learning?

• Pierpont – Hands-on training environment with ACF-certified chef instructors
• WVU – Farm facilities and laboratory research experiences

Financial Considerations

Looking for affordable entry point?

• Pierpont Community and Technical College – Community college pricing with open enrollment
• WVU Potomac State – Associate degree option (60 credit hours)

Consider value and requirements:

• West Virginia University – No GRE requirement for master’s programs
• WVU – Financial aid and scholarships available
• Minimum 2.75 GPA required for WVU programs

Geographic and Practical Factors

Location preferences:

• Morgantown: West Virginia University – University town with comprehensive research facilities
• Fairmont: Pierpont Community and Technical College – Smaller community with online options

Practical experience opportunities:

• WVU – Extensive farm facilities for hands-on agricultural nutrition experience
• Pierpont – Industry connections and ACF-certified instruction
• WVU – Research opportunities with faculty collaboration

Special Program Features

Unique program advantages:

• Pierpont – First ACEND-accredited nutrition program in West Virginia
• Pierpont – Nationally top-rated culinary program with nutrition integration
• WVU – Comparative approach to human health and nutrition
• WVU – Extensive farm facilities for agricultural nutrition experience

Certification opportunities:

• Pierpont – ServSafe certification available
• Pierpont – ACF-certified chef instruction
• WVU – Preparation for dietitian registration exam

Flexible program options:

• WVU – Thesis or non-thesis tracks for master’s programs
• WVU – Multiple concentrations and research focus areas
• Pierpont – Multiple program concentrations available

Program Requirements and Pathways

Associate level requirements:

• WVU Potomac State – 60 total credit hours with strong science foundation
• Pierpont – Open enrollment institution with flexible entry

Bachelor’s level requirements:

• WVU – Freshman or transfer admission, 2.75 GPA minimum for DPD program

Master’s level requirements:

• WVU – Bachelor’s degree with minimum 2.75 GPA
• WVU – Three letters of recommendation and statement of purpose for some programs
• No GRE requirement for WVU master’s programs

Important Considerations for RDN Pathway

2024 Requirement Change:

• Graduate degree required to sit for RDN registration exam beginning in 2024
• WVU’s bachelor’s program provides foundation but graduate study will be necessary
• Plan for master’s degree if pursuing RDN credentials

West Virginia-Specific Advantages

State coordination:

• Clear transfer pathway from WVU Potomac State to main campus
• Public university system with reasonable costs
• Agricultural focus reflecting state’s rural character

Unique features:

• Only state with ACEND-accredited community college program (Pierpont)
• Comprehensive university options at WVU
• Strong agricultural and rural health focus

Making Your Decision

Two-institution pathway:

Community College Entry:

• Pierpont – Immediate entry into nutrition field as technician with culinary integration
• WVU Potomac State – Transfer-focused associate degree

University Pathway:

• WVU Bachelor’s – Traditional four-year dietetics preparation
• WVU Master’s – Advanced study in nutrition and food science

Consider your timeline:

• Quick entry: Pierpont’s associate degree for immediate employment
• Traditional path: WVU associate → bachelor’s → master’s progression
• Career advancement: WVU master’s programs for existing professionals

Evaluate your interests:

• Culinary nutrition focus? Pierpont’s unique culinary-nutrition integration
• Research and science? WVU’s research-focused master’s programs
• Agricultural nutrition? WVU’s farm facilities and animal nutrition programs
• Clinical dietetics? WVU’s traditional RDN preparation pathway

Consider learning preferences:

• Online flexibility? Pierpont’s online program
• Hands-on experience? Both institutions offer practical learning
• Research opportunities? WVU’s comprehensive research facilities

Financial planning:

• Most affordable: Community college associate degrees
• Best value for RDN: Plan for WVU master’s degree (required post-2024)
• No standardized tests: WVU master’s programs don’t require GRE

Career goals alignment:

• Nutrition technician/food service: Pierpont’s specialized training
• Registered dietitian: WVU’s comprehensive pathway
• Research career: WVU’s thesis-based master’s programs
• Agricultural nutrition: WVU’s unique farm-based opportunities

West Virginia offers a focused but comprehensive nutrition education system. Pierpont provides unique culinary-nutrition integration and immediate entry opportunities, while WVU offers the traditional academic pathway from associate through master’s levels. Both institutions serve the state’s needs with practical, hands-on approaches reflecting West Virginia’s agricultural heritage and rural health challenges.