Becoming a Nutritionist Online
If you’re looking to become a nutritionist online, there are several steps you can take to achieve your goal. First, you should research nutrition schools that offer online programs. You can find these programs by searching on Google or Yelp. You’ll want to look for schools that offer courses in general nutrition or clinical nutrition, but if possible, it would be best to find one that offers both.
Once you’ve found a few potential programs, then it’s time to start contacting them directly and asking about their degree requirements and admissions process. Make sure that the program has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education before enrolling in it. You’ll also want to inquire about how long it will take for you to complete your coursework, as well as whether or not there are any prerequisites needed before being accepted into the program itself (such as taking prerequisite courses at another school first).
Once you’ve made your decision about which school is right for you, visit their website page where they list all of their course options along with descriptions about what each class entails (what kind of reading materials will be required? Does it require homework assignments?). If there are any specific requirements for taking
How To Become Nutritionist Online
Career as a Nutritionist
Nutritionists are required to have an in-depth advanced understanding of the human body’s nutritional needs and can find themselves working in various settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes and cafeterias. Nutritionists can work with a variety of different clients; some may have a dietary deficiency or imbalance, while others may be athletes looking to better their physical performance. Check out the table below for information on required skills and the outlook and salary for nutritionists.
| Required Skills | Understanding of the human body’s nutritional needs, solid people skills, open minded |
| Job Growth (2018-2028) | 11% (dieticians and nutritionists)* |
| Median Salary (2018) | $60,370 (dieticians and nutritionists)* |
Source:*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Steps to Becoming a Nutritionist Using Online Resources
The following steps should provide you with adequate information to begin pursuing a career in nutrition. The majority of these steps are free and can be completed online.
Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree Online
One of the few but necessary processes that will cost money during your journey to becoming a nutritionist is obtaining a bachelor’s degree. If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree previously, then you can ignore this step. If not, you will need to enroll in online courses that will award you with a bachelor’s degree upon completion. Typically a bachelor’s degree will take four years of study to successfully obtain; choosing to work towards a degree in health, nutrition or a related field will most likely be the best path to begin understanding your career field.
Step 2: Complete a Free Online Nutrition and Science Courses
If you have a bachelor’s degree in a field that is not related to health or nutrition you will need to begin educating yourself on those topics before pursuing an internship. There is a wide range of online nutrition courses that are 100% free and will give you invaluable information on nutrition. Some core science courses are required to later earn certification as well, such as biology, chemistry and microbiology. If your bachelor’s degree program didn’t include these courses, you can find these courses online.
Step 3: Complete an Internship
Completing an internship under a certified nutritionist or organization will give you experience that should contribute to future success in the field. This step will not be optional as 900 hours of internship experience is required if you are looking to be certified by the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB) to work as a certified clinical nutritionist. This internship should take anywhere from 20-25 weeks to complete in full.
Step 4: Complete Online Postgraduate Studies Through Clinical Nutrition Program
After completing your internship you will need to complete four online sessions issued by the CNCB within 90 days. After completing this short program you will be given a multiple-choice test which is also issued by the CNCB that will need to be completed with a passing grade. After you have passed you will be certified as a clinical nutritionist.
Step 5: Market Yourself Online to Find Employment
With your certification it should be relatively easy to find employment as a nutritionist. With this being said, there are plenty of online resources that can help you market yourself and start your career if you are having difficulty finding work. You can upload your resume to various forums, social media outlets and job websites; these outlets could provide you with job opportunities after only a few clicks.
