Top 25 Affordable Online Master’s in Dietetics

The University of Kansas offers a 36-credit online master's in nutrition and dietetics collaboratively with other member universities in the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance. Students apply to and graduate from KU, but may take classes from other universities in the alliance. Learners who enroll in two courses each semester can complete the degree in about two years. KU offers the program 100% online for non-thesis students; individuals completing a thesis must defend their thesis on campus. Applicants to the program must be registered dieticians or individuals who qualify for registration. KU accepts up to six graduate transfer credits towards this degree.

Kansas State University's 27-credit master's of science in dietetics online program invites registered dieticians and registration-eligible individuals to apply. KSU offers the degree as part of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance. Students apply to, enroll in classes through, and graduate from KSU, but may take classes from instructors at a variety of other participating universities. Required courses cover topics like environmental scanning, statistical methods, and research techniques. KSU offers a thesis or non-thesis option. Students who do not complete a thesis must pass comprehensive written and oral exams. Online dietetics students with a minimum 3.0 GPA can apply for KSU's food, nutrition, dietetics, and health $1,000 scholarship, distributed three times a year.

The University of Alabama's 30-credit online MS in human nutrition accepts students during three application periods each year: fall, spring, and summer. Students gain research skills, learn to think independently, and understand the practice of dietetics at an advanced level. The program prepares learners to study at the doctoral level or advance in their careers practicing dietetics. Students can choose from three specialized tracks, including community nutrition, clinical nutrition, or generalist. The program is most suitable for registered dieticians or individuals with a bachelor's degree in the nutrition field. The 100% online degree offers the same tuition rate for all students, regardless of where they live.

Distance learners can pursue an online master's in nutrition and dietetics from North Carolina State University. The 36-credit, non-thesis degree allows students to complete up to six credits of internship, directed practicum, or independent study. The program offers two areas of emphasis: feed science or human nutrition. Courses available include regulation of metabolism, principles of biochemistry, and life cycle nutrition. Students can also take courses towards the degree from three other universities in North Carolina. The admissions office accepts applications for prospective master's of nutrition students four times each year. Applicants must hold a bachelor's in a science-related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA and score at or above the 30th percentile on the GRE.

Logan University's online master's of science in nutrition and human performance includes a mix of clinical applications and research. The curriculum explores topics such as metabolism, allergies, nutritional biochemistry, and research methods for nutrition. Students learn to analyze diet, identify nutritional deficiencies, and make evidence-based diet recommendations. The program offers three concentrations: nutritional wellness; sports and fitness nutrition; and health education and promotion. Learners can complete the entire degree online, with no in-person requirements. Courses available include health policy; program planning and assessment; and nutritional assessment of athletes. Logan's academic calendar offers three 15-week trimesters each year.

An online master's in nutrition and dietetics from the University of North Florida includes four possible concentrations: nutritional sciences, professional studies in dietetics, health informatics, and global health. The 35-credit degree delivers all coursework 100% online and does not include a dietetics internship. Courses available include nutritional epidemiology, clinical nutrition, and methods of nutritional assessment. For their culminating experience, students complete an independent research project or a series of project, independent studies, and field experiences up to six credits. Students can enter the program only in fall each year. Applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA in their last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's 36-credit MS in food and nutrition online degree takes as little as 16 months to complete, for students who start the program in fall and take courses in summer. The 100% online curriculum concentrates on human and applied nutrition and includes two tracks: administration and education. Students take classes like nutrition research methods, sustainable nutrition, and vitamins. They can undertake a six-credit thesis project or choose the non-thesis option and take two additional three-credit courses. Graduates of the online master's in dietetics program hold skills in leadership, advanced nutrition knowledge, and an understanding of public health promotion techniques.

Arizona State University's master's of science in dietetics online program requires students to complete ten courses (30 credits). Distance learners take courses like research methods, statistics in research, and pediatric nutrition. Each class lasts seven-and-a-half weeks, with fall and spring program start dates each year. Highly-experienced faculty members in the College of Health Solutions teach the online dietetics courses. Applicants to the MS in nutrition dietetics program must be registered dieticians with at least one year of professional work experience. They also need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and to complete a phone interview. The program does not accept transfer credits.

An online master's in nutrition and dietetics designed for registered dieticians with experience in the field is available at Colorado State University. The MS in food science and nutrition teaches students how to lead nutrition programs that combine management, biomedical sciences, and human behavior. CSU collaborates with the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance to offer its master's in dietetics. Students may take courses from instructors at a variety of different colleges and universities through the program, but they enroll at and graduate from CSU. The curriculum covers topics like micronutrients, research methods, nutrigenetics, nutrition education, pediatric clinical nutrition, and grant writing.

Designed for both new and experienced dietetic and nutrition professionals, Central Michigan University's online master's in nutrition and dietetics offers students three different tracks: thesis, coursework, or internship. The 31-credit thesis option include six thesis credits and an oral exam on the thesis topic. The 37-credit internship track requires learners to complete an oral exam on their coursework and nine credits of internship work. The 33-credit coursework option includes a three-credit independent study course and an oral exam. Fully online since the 1990s, CMU's MS in nutrition and dietetics program does not require students to complete any in-person requirements. Synchronous course delivery lets learners interact and talk in real-time with instructors and classmates.

Graduates of SUNY College Oneonta's online master's in nutrition and dietetics are eligible to take the exam necessary to become a registered dietician. The 36-credit MS emphasizes community nutrition and does not require a thesis. The program takes three full-time semesters to complete, including 1,220 hours of supervised practice. The curriculum includes a culminating experience in which students participate in a community health intervention project. SUNY College Oneonta also offers a 36-credit MS for individuals who are already registered dieticians. These students receive 12 prior learning credits for successfully passing an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship and complete the additional 24 credits in one to two years.

Stony Brook University offers a fully online 36-credit master's of science in nutrition. Students take courses such as contemporary issues in the global food system, advanced nutrition in clinical practice, and research methods in nutrition. The program offers three concentrations: integrative nutrition therapy; sustainable food systems and health; and advanced nutrition therapy and critical care. Applicants to the program must complete the prerequisite course survey of nutrition concepts prior to enrolling in any other courses. Full-time students can finish the degree in about two years, while part-timers take around four to graduate. Stony Brook also offers a 15-credit advanced certificate in nutrition fully online.

The 100% online master's in dietetics from the University of Rhode Island lets students graduates in just 14 months. The non-thesis program requires learners to complete 11 seven-week courses over seven sessions. All instructors in the program hold graduate degrees and are registered dieticians. Designed for students currently working on ACEND-accredited dietetic internship programs, the 36-credit MS focuses on research, clinical skills, management, and community. Courses available include advanced medical nutrition therapy in dietetics, advanced dietetic research, and clinical nutrition management. Admissions requirements do not include the GRE. The entire curriculum is online, but students who who lack the registered dietician certification need to attend one in-person orientation session on the campus in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, in June.

The School of Education and Human Services at Canisius College offers an online master's in applied nutrition. The degree focuses on preventing and treating disease through diet and combines practical training with academic research. Students choose from two specialty tracks: fitness and sports nutrition or obesity and eating disorders. The program takes as little as one year to complete, with start dates in the fall, spring, and summer. Admissions requirements include a bachelor's degree, minimum 2.7 GPA, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation. Students without registered dietician licenses may need to complete prerequisite courses.

The master's of science in dietetics online degree from Eastern Michigan University holds full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Students must complete 73-76 credits to graduate. EMU offers distance students majoring in dietetics courses such as nutrition therapy, food systems management, and development of the entrepreneurial dietician. Learners also complete one of three culminating experiences: a six-credit thesis, six-credit non-thesis research project, or three-credit research and writing class. Graduates of the program complete the supervised practice and coursework necessary to apply for their registered dietician credential. Prospective students can view an advising session PowerPoint online.