Following good nutritional practices is an integral part of maintaining one’s personal health, but it also can have broad effects across society. For example, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences notes that nutrition can influence: 

• The productivity of a population 

• The health disparities within a population 

• The preparedness of a country’s military forces 

Earning a degree in nutrition is an excellent way to prepare for a number of fulfilling careers in the field. It can be beneficial for anyone considering enrolling in a master’s in applied nutrition degree program to explore these potential careers.  

So, what can you do with a nutrition degree? Learn about job possibilities that range from clinical dietician to food service director to wellness coach. 

Reasons to Earn an Online Nutrition Degree

Individuals who complete an online nutrition degree program have gained the knowledge and skills to take advantage of a range of potential benefits. For example, earning a degree in nutrition can position an individual to: 

• Become a registered dietitian. Completing a Master of Science in Applied Nutrition degree program can prepare individuals to take the exam to become a registered dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. This credential is evidence of expertise in nutrition and reflects an individual’s dedication and commitment to the profession.  

• Make a difference in the lives of others. Offering advice and guidance related to nutrition is a rewarding way to use one’s expertise in the field to help others improve their health and lives. 

• Evaluate developments in nutrition. People with a nutrition degree can better assess breakthroughs in nutrition and make connections between those breakthroughs and their foundational expertise in nutrition. 

• Advocate for nutrition and wellness. Expertise in nutrition enables people to become advocates for nutritional practices and programs that can benefit their community, state and country. 

• Identify misinformation related to nutrition. Unfortunately, nutrition is a field in which misinformation often spreads widely. Experts in nutrition have the knowledge necessary to identify misinformation and explain why it is inaccurate. 

• Make informed nutritional choices. With a degree in nutrition, individuals can make sound food choices to improve their own health. 

Of course, one of the biggest benefits of earning a degree in nutrition is the number of career options available to those with the degree. For instance, people who have a degree in nutrition can work in: 

• Healthcare 

• Food service 

• Government programs 

• Community service programs 

• Residential care 

• Research 

• Consulting 

Career Outcomes for Applied Nutrition Program Graduates

Exploring specific roles available to applied nutrition program graduates is a good way to learn about the range of opportunities in the field. The four examples below represent some of the jobs you can do with a nutrition degree. 

1. Clinical Dietitian

Clinical dietitians focus on providing medical nutrition therapy to clients. They develop nutritional programs and inform clients about ways to use nutrition to improve and maintain their health. Clinical dietitians also can specialize. For example, they can concentrate on helping clients with diabetes, kidney disease or digestive issues. 

Some states require clinical dietitians to be licensed. In addition, certain employers require clinical dietitians to have a certification, such as a registered dietitian credential. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dietitians and nutritionists had a median annual salary of $69,680 as of May 2023. The BLS projects 7 percent job growth for dietitians and nutritionists from 2023 to 2033, which exceeds the 4 percent job growth projected for all occupations during the same time frame. 

2. Food Service Director

Food service directors oversee dining operations for organizations. They can be responsible for functions such as food and safety requirement compliance, employee management and menu planning. Food service directors work for restaurants, school cafeterias, catering businesses and other organizations that prepare and serve food. 

Some states and some employers require food service directors to obtain a certification in food safety. For example, they may require them to obtain the food protection manager certification through an organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute’s National Accreditation Board. 

Food service managers had a median annual salary of $63,060 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. The BLS projects 2 percent job growth for food service managers from 2023 to 2033, with 44,500 openings for food service managers expected to be available each year through 2033, primarily to replace those who retire or move into other fields. 

3. Wellness Coach

Wellness coach is another field to pursue with a nutrition degree. Wellness coaches work with clients to help them achieve their goals in areas such as health, relationships, behavior change or fitness.  

Wellness coaches can earn certifications to enhance their credentials. For example, they can earn the national board certified health and wellness coach certification through a program approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. 

According to Payscale, wellness coaches had a median annual salary of about $52,000 as of January 2025. The BLS projects 7 percent job growth for the similar field of health education specialists from 2023 to 2033. 

4. Consultant Dietitian

Consultant dietitians work with clients such as hospitals, schools and even grocery stores to provide advice in areas such as creating menus, preventing disease through nutrition and offering nutritional education. Some work as employees of consulting firms while others form their own independent businesses. 

To strengthen their credentials, consultant dietitians can become registered dietitians. 

As of January 2025, Payscale reported that the median annual salary of consultant dietitians was approximately $70,000. As noted above, the BLS projects 7 percent job growth for dietitians and nutritionists from 2023 to 2033. 

Individuals with Nutrition Expertise Can Pursue Fulfilling Careers

The roles available to graduates with a nutrition degree offer meaningful work that enables them to help others. Individuals can apply their knowledge in a wide range of jobs that require expertise in nutrition. 

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in nutrition, explore SEMO Online’s Master of Science in Applied Nutrition degree program to learn how it can help you reach your career goals. Offering the flexibility of an online format, the opportunity to gain field experience in nutrition, and preparation to become a registered dietitian, the online nutrition degree program from SEMO Online can help you establish the foundation you need for a career in nutrition. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics and can be completed in only 15 months. 

If you prefer in-person learning, Southeast Missouri State University also offers a host of on-campus degree programs.  

Explore what a nutrition degree can do for you, and start achieving your career goals today.