You have a passion for helping others and you know that eating healthy is one of the most important ways to improve overall health. Before you can become a nutritionist, you must earn a degree in nutritional science. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nutrition is the most common degree earned by those who want to become a nutritionist without going to school full-time.
How to become a nutritionist without a degree? The question is asked often by college students each year. Nutrition is an ever-evolving field and it is important to stay informed as to new developments and research. However, others prefer to take the alternative path to becoming a nutritionist by starting off with a different career path. Some may choose this if they want to focus more on general health and wellness rather than looking at nutrition specifically, while others may choose it because they are not able to attend college or receive financial aid.
Nutritionists are professionals who help people manage their health and well-being by offering advice on diet and nutrition.
They may work in private practice, government agencies, hospitals, schools, or other organizations. Nutritionists provide dietary assessment, education, and counseling to individuals, groups, and communities. They also provide information on healthy eating patterns and lifestyles.
Nutritionists typically have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from an accredited university program. However, you can become a nutritionist without a degree by completing an online training course.
In this article we’ll discuss how to become a nutritionist without a degree so that you can start your career as soon as possible! We’ll also see nutritionist salary, nutritionist certification vs degree.
How to become a nutritionist without a degree
Take online classes.
One of the best ways to learn about the field is through online classes. These types of courses are typically cheaper than traditional ones and can be more flexible, meaning you can study at any time and on your own schedule. Many online programs let students choose from a range of classes that cover different topics within nutrition, including:
- Food science
- Personal training
- Dietetics
Read books and watch videos from experts.
If you’re not in school right now, learning about nutrition is a bit more difficult. You can read books on the subject or watch videos online, but when it comes to getting your hands on the most accurate information possible and connecting with other experts in the field, you may have to rely on other methods.
- Read books: Reading books offers excellent information and insight into what goes into being a nutritionist. Some great resources include Eat This Not That! by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding; Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser (a nonfiction book that focuses mainly on fast food chains); The Eat Clean Diet series by Tosca Reno; The Biggest Loser Nutrition Guidebook by Tara Gidus; The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss by Dr. Jason Fung; Skinny Bitch: A No-Nonsense Tough Love Guide for Savvy Girls Who Want to Stop Eating Crap & Start Looking Fabulous! By Rory Freedman
Participate in discussion forums.
Participate in online forums. A good place to start is with online discussions at health or nutrition sites, including Reddit and Quora. Another possibility is connecting with a few people you know on Facebook who are into health and wellness, and see if they have any recommendations. Once you’ve found some forums that interest you, it’s time to get involved!
- Make sure the forum has an established set of rules: You’ll want to make sure that the forum has some type of protocol for dealing with inappropriate behavior or spamming (when someone posts a lot without adding much value).
- Don’t get too involved in arguments: In general, don’t let yourself get caught up in debates where emotions run high or people are just being mean-spirited for no reason; this can be stressful and distracting from your goals as well as potentially making other users feel uncomfortable around you if they see how heated things get between two members when they don’t know why those two individuals were arguing so intensely over an issue that might not even affect either of their lives directly.
Watch cooking or food shows on TV.
There are plenty of ways to learn about food, cooking and nutrition without a degree. In fact, the best way to get into this field is by watching TV! That’s right — all your favorite cooking shows and food documentaries can serve as a great foundation for anyone interested in becoming a nutritionist.
Take advantage of the following opportunities:
- Watch cooking or food shows on TV (or online). You can learn about different ingredients, techniques and even cultures from these programs.
- Watch documentaries about food and nutrition. These will help you understand more about what happens behind the scenes of our favorite meals and snacks! They may also help you discover new things about yourself as well!
- Travel with friends or family members who love trying new foods at restaurants around town—then share their experiences with each other later on down at home via social media channels like Facebook Messenger or Skype calls so that everyone else knows too! E-mailing pictures after eating out together at local restaurants before going home would be helpful too because then we’ll know how long each person took before writing them back…
Take classes at the local community college.
If you’re not ready to commit to a full-time program, community college is a great place to start. This can give you the opportunity to get your feet wet in the world of nutrition while still keeping your day job and gaining knowledge. Community college is also often less expensive than major universities, so keep that in mind when looking at how much it will cost you.
You may be able to take classes online or on campus, depending on what’s available for your school. Some community colleges even offer their own nutrition programs where students can earn an associate’s degree after completing certain coursework. This could be a good option if you’re looking for something more advanced or want some hands-on experience working with real clients and patients outside of the classroom setting – but keep in mind that these programs usually cost more than general education requirements because they require additional hours beyond what most non-degree granting institutions offer out of necessity rather than choice (in other words: because they have no choice).
Get an internship at a health food store or co-op.
Get an internship at a health food store or co-op. This is the most important step in becoming a nutritionist without a degree. Even if you have no experience, it’s possible to find a position as long as you are willing to work hard and learn quickly. There are many benefits to working for a local business:
- You will get real experience that you can use when applying for jobs after graduation
- You will learn how nutrition fits into the bigger picture of running a business and interacting with customers
- You may meet other people who share your interest in health food
Learn about herbs, supplements and vitamins.
As you learn about nutrition, you’ll want to keep in mind that herbs and supplements are two different things. Herbs are plants used for medicinal purposes, while supplements are manufactured or naturally occurring substances that can be taken to improve health. While there’s no firm scientific consensus on the safety of supplements, they’re generally considered safe for most adults when taken at recommended doses.
In general, many herbs have been used for centuries with few adverse effects; however, you should always consult a doctor before taking any herbal remedies or supplements. Always research what ingredients an herb contains and the dosage needed to achieve desired results. In addition to being aware of potential side effects with these products and knowing how much is too much (if there’s such thing), it’s also important that vitamins and minerals be taken properly so they can be absorbed into your body effectively!
Take an interest in what is happening in the food industry.
The food industry is always changing, and it’s important for you to stay informed about the latest developments. You can do this by:
- Following the news on your favorite food industry websites.
- Signing up for newsletters from trade journals, like Food Processing or Dairy Foods. They’ll keep you up-to-date with breaking news and trends in your field of interest.
- Attending conferences and meetings held by professional associations like the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). These events often feature keynote speakers who share information about their research or recent projects that have been successful within their own companies or fields of study.
You can learn a lot about nutrition without having to go to school for it!
While you don’t need a degree to become a nutritionist, you can still learn a lot about the subject. Taking online classes and reading books are great ways to begin your education. Learning about food from experts is another important way to learn about nutrition. You can find many qualified people through discussion forums or by asking friends for recommendations. Watching cooking or food shows on TV is another fun way to learn about new foods, ingredients and recipes!
nutritionist certification vs degree
There are so many ways to gain the knowledge needed to understand nutrition, digestion, absorption, and nutrition therapies. Outside of the education about food, counseling clients and nutrition programming requires its own set of learned skills. Personal trainers go from a fitness coach to a health coach when they can train the whole individual for success!
Certifications are the shortest programs of the options while degrees take the longest and cost the most. Degrees can be an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree with distance (online) programs available. Licenses are also an option after higher education. Let’s explore the differences as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Certifications
There are several recognized certification options for nutrition coaching and nutrition specialist that take 8-24 weeks to complete. Most of these programs come with a physical book that is mailed to you as well as online resources, practice exams, and videos. The certification exam is usually completed online and, once earned, the certification will not expire.
Certification programs range in cost from $499 to $999 and cover the essentials of nutrition, coaching clients, and community health. One can even become a holistic nutritionist with the correct program.
Certified nutrition professionals can counsel clients with food choices, meal planning, and provide tools for nutritional success regardless of their fitness and health goals.
Pros
- Shorter program
- Lower cost of completion
- Gain general nutrition knowledge
Cons
- Not as detailed as a degree or licensure
- More may be required for certain employment opportunities
Degrees
Associate degree: a 2-year program that allows the student to complete their prerequisite and basic college coursework with 12-20 of the 60 credits of coursework geared towards the subject of their choice. No concluding exam is required.
Cost: $10,000 – $25,000
Bachelor’s degree: a 4-year program, typically 120 credits including the completion of prerequisite basic coursework and 30-45 credits worth of nutrition, dietetics, or nutrition counseling courses. There is no exam to complete a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and the degree may meet the requirements to sit for the Registered Dietitian exam if completed through an accredited program.
Cost: $20,000-$75,000
Master’s degree: an additional 2-4 years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree in the nutrition field with 40-60 credits of coursework specific to the field and practice of nutrition. Most accredited master’s degree programs require completion and defense of a thesis in the field prior to graduation. The master’s degree is currently not a requirement to sit for the Registered Dietitian exam, but, as of January 2024, a master’s degree will be required.
Cost: $30,000-$50,000
Doctoral degree: another 4-6 years more of intensified and specific nutrition study. While the cost and time spent for a doctoral degree versus the other degrees are much higher, the average income for a nutrition job with this background, according to the BLS, is the same. However, the opportunity for high level (higher paying) science and nutrition positions is open for a Post-doctoral individual.
Cost: $20,000-$40,000
Pros
- Very detailed education
- Accepted for any employment option
Cons
- Longer programs (4-6 years)
- Presentation of research thesis prior to graduation with master’s or higher (versus certification exam)
- Much higher cost of programming (especially for distance or online programs)
Online education is a much more accessible form of learning for students as long as they have a computer and access to the Internet. As previously mentioned, online programs are typically more expensive than campus-based programs. There are 213 approved campus programs making students eligible to sit for the registered dietitian exam and only four approved colleges for online learning (bachelor’s degrees only).
Currently, there are no approved online master’s programs and eight approved campus-based master’s programs. With the change in the requirements coming in 2024, more programs are sure to be added to the list.
Licenses
Most licenses require a bachelor’s degree or higher, with some states also requiring 900 or more hours of supervised experience with a specific nutrition focus. After meeting all education and experiential requirements, the student can sit for the licensure exam. Licenses are renewed with continuing education credits every 2-5 years.
Licensed individuals come away with in-depth knowledge of nutrition counseling and therapy in a clinical environment.
Pros
- Students can dive into post-degree experiential training
- Very detailed and specific education
Cons
- Takes 4-5 years to complete all components
- Licensure may not be required in your state
nutritionist salary
A Dieticians and nutritionists typically earns between ₦31,204 and ₦87,763 net per month at the start of the job. After 5 years of service, this is between ₦33,518 and ₦92,951 per month for a working week of 40 hours.
