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Each step closer to eating a more nutritional diet lowers the risk and occurrence of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, and hip fractures.¹ĚýHaving the ability to understand nutrition information and communicate that knowledge to others can have a profound effect on almost every aspect of a person’s life that can span generations.

Deaths from Chronic Disease

Every year, 32.4 million people die from just four chronic conditions.ĚýĚýthe role of nutrition in chronic disease management is particularly crucial, as diet is a modifiable risk factor for most chronic conditions.

• Cardiovascular - 17.9 Million Annual Deaths
• Cancers - 9 Million Annual Deaths
• Chronic Respitory Disease - 3.9 Million Annual Deaths
• Diabetes - 1.6 Million Annual Deaths

Snapshot of Careers in Nutrition

• Wellness & Worklife Director: $146,634²

• Wellness Program Consultant:Ěý$81,940³

• Employee Health and Wellness Manager:Ěý$99,300⁴

• Nutrition Director:Ěý$103,744⁵

• Nutrition Educator:Ěý$60,600⁶

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Nutrition Education?

AU’s MS in Nutrition Education provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to help empower people in your community and beyond to make healthier food choices and improve their quality of life.

Whether the discussion centers on nutrition insecurity, hunger, food equity and access, nutrition labels, or our nation’s obesity epidemic, your career in nutrition centers on being the trusted source people want and need to provide consumer-friendly, accurate information about nutritional health and the food we eat.

Career Opportunities in Nutrition Education

Take a closer look at the following sectors to see how you can use your Master’s in Nutrition Education to help others achieve improved health and well-being.

Advocacy and Policy: Research and Information

There are a number of non-profit organizations that serve the local, national and international needs for nutrition, health, and hunger prevention such as Share our Strength, Feeding America and the Food Research and Action Center. From working for a county food council to lobbying for better nutrition in our public schools, you can pursue a career nutritional advocacy and policy such as these:

• Communications Director
• Director of Nutrition
• Grant Manager
• Nutrition Expert
• Nutrition Policy Associate
• Research Associate

Organizations

• Alliance for a Healthier Generation
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
• Candid.org
• Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity
• Share our Strength
• Feeding America
• Food Research and Action Center

Health Education Agencies

The goal of a health education agency has a more specific focus, which is to educate the educators with the latest news, research, and advances. Professionals often work in schools and their surrounding communities to teach, encourage, challenge, and award awareness of nutrition and health.

Career Titles

• Advocacy Coordinator
• Communications Manager
• Nutrition Educator

Organizations

• American Health Association
• The American School Health Association
• Let’s Move
• Cooking Matters
• American College Health Foundation

Food Banks

A single food bank is a place where nutrition ideas really take hold directly with a community that needs help in making every meal count. Collectively, they provide an outlet for businesses and individuals to make a difference locally. Food banks have become one of the most critical links in the nutrition chain; people most in need depend on them to supply or supplement the food on their table

Career Titles

• Community Partnerships Coordinator
• Fundraiser
• Grant Writer
• Marketing and Communications Manager
• Nutrition Educator

Organizations

• Feeding America
• Food Bank of the Rockies
• Capital Area Food Bank

Gardening

It doesn’t take long for people in the nutrition field to understand how gardening is intimately connected to better nutrition for all. Jobs in this field are dedicated to bridging the gap between the local food system and healthy eating by planting and encouraging the creation of gardens.

Career Titles

• Education Director
• Farm-to-School Director
• Food Education Fellow
• Garden Specialist
• Outreach Specialist

Organizations

• The American Community Gardens Association
• The Center for Nutrition in Schools
• Nutrition to Grow On
• D.C. Greens
• America in Bloom, TheGrantHelpers, and the Whole Kids Foundation

Nutrition Careers in Government

There are a number of government-run organizations dedicated to nutrition at local, state, and federal governments levels. They occur within the public health system, agriculture, and the community.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)Ěý+

The USDA is responsible for research, development, and execution of aspects of federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food. They deal with efforts as diverse as climate solutions, farming, forest management, dietary guidelines, food safety/animal and plant inspection, economic research, and marketing and promotions.

Career Titles

• Communications Specialist
• International Program Specialist
• Nutritionist
• Research Associate

Organizations

The USDA is comprised ofĚýĚýand offices including:

• Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
• Farm Service Agency (FSA)
• Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
• National Agricultural Library
• National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

Opportunities with the USDA reach far and wide as they oversee a number of programs and services including:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Child Nutrition Programs
• Child and Adult Care Food Program
• National School Lunch Program
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
• Food Distribution Programs
• Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

The Department of Health and Human Services

Shaping nutritional policy is the central focus within the HHS.

Career Titles

• Consumer Safety Officer
• International Policy Analyst
• Public Health Nutritionist

Organizations

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Social Services (Head Start)
• Nutrition and Fitness
• Affordable Care Act
• National Institutes of Health
• It also presents directives and information to the public on such topics as the flu, food safety, bullying, HIV/AIDS, and mental health.

Department of Veteran Affairs

The Depart of Veteran Affairs provides benefits programs, healthcare, and other programs and services for the nation’s nearly 22 million veterans.

The VA’s Nutrition and Food Services department focuses on nutrition education, and nutritional services designed specifically to ensure high-quality food services in VA healthcare facilities across the country. Jobs with this department can be regional or national.

Career Titles

• Assistant Chief in Nutrition and Food Service
• Food Service Systems Manager
• Nutrition Support Program Coordinator

Public Health Departments

States are divided not only into counties but also into public health regions and jobs that deal with nutrition and health at all levels.

Career Titles

• Health Program Coordinator
• Nutritionist
• Nutrition Program Coordinator — Public Health Programs.
• Program Director–Consumer Rights and Advocacy

School Systems

School nutrition managers work in single schools and report to that school’s nutrition director, who in turn reports to the district-level director. In elementary and high schools garden specialists focus on bridging the gap between what we grow and what we eat. In culinary magnet schools, that bridge can be extended one more step — into the kitchen with the chef/instructor.

Career Titles

• District-Level School Nutrition Director
• School Nutrition Manager
• Garden Specialist
• Director, Nutrition and Wellness
• Campus Nutrition Program Director
• University Program Director, Professor

Organizations

• Kindercare

Nutrition Careers in Corporations and Private Industry

In 2019, 84% of large employers (200 or more workers) offering health benefits offered a workplace wellness program, such as those to help people lose weight, stop smoking, or provide lifestyle and behavioral coaching.⁷ĚýTheĚýfinds that well-implemented workplace health programs can lead to 25% savings on absenteeism, healthcare costs, and workers’ compensation and disability management claims costs.

Career Titles

• Assistant Director of Worksite Health
• Nutrition Consultant
• Nutrition Health and Wellness Manager
• Worksite Health Promotion Specialist

Organizations

• Citi
• Levi Strauss & Co.
• Gap Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson
• CVS Health

Food Production Companies

Every product in your kitchen comes from a company that employs nutrition-related experts who advance ingredients, research new ingredients, track food sources and strategize compliance with state and federal standards.

Career Titles

• Global Customer and Brand Manager
• Nutrition Analyst
• Nutrition Assistant Manager
• Nutrition Educator
• Store Nutritionist

Organizations

• Isagenix
• Purina
• GU Energy Labs
• Clif Bar & Company

Gyms, Health Clubs, and Spas

It has become more and more common for fitness centers, gyms, health clubs, and spas to employ resident nutrition educators whose job responsibilities include consulting with clients and designing nutritious food offerings for members and employees alike.

Career Titles

• Nutritionist
• Nutrition Coach
• Nutrition Educator
• Nutrition Program Coordinator
• Personal Trainer
• Weight Management Consultant

One large national chain, Lifetime Fitness, has nutritionists, nutrition coaches, and nutrition program coordinators on staff and offers a free 70-page online nutrition manual (chapters include vegetables and fruits, protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, supplements, and a 30-day healthy-eating challenge) written and edited by staff members.

Independent Consultants/Entrepreneurs

Though health/nutrition coaches and consultants work across all areas in many different venues, some nutrition educators start their own businesses, allowing them to focus on the specific issues they’re passionate about.

Career Titles

• Health Coach
• Health Educator
• Nutritionist
• Nutrition Coach
• Nutrition Consultant
• Owner

Nutrition Networking Associations

Learning from other nutrition professionals and educators can strengthen your base of knowledge and provide you with a network of like-minded individuals with whom you share a common interest as well as notice of other career opportunities. Nutrition education graduates encounter so many different situations and people that learning from their peers is a real opportunity.

The following is a list of networking organizations you might want to check out.

Career Services

American University’s Career Center offers its services to online and on-campus students as well as to all alumni, so you’ll continue to receive support for as long as you need it.

This means you’ll have access to resources for your job search, career advising, internships, and scholarships. You can also network, look for jobs, and apply for positions by making an account at AU Career Web, our online career search tool.

The Master of Science in Nutrition Education Program Also Provides:

Faculty Mentorship Program

Halfway through your program, you will be matched with a faculty mentor who will be available to work with you on resume development, job search navigation, and making connections based on your location and professional interests. Faculty mentors also serve as a valuable resource for any program or course-related items.

Networking Events

Both virtual and in-person networking events are offered each semester. Alumni panels offer an opportunity to connect with peers, faculty, and industry experts.

Social Media

Students, alumni, and faculty share open dialogue about the program as well as provide information about jobs and industry trends on dedicated Facebook and LinkedIn groups.

Student Webinars

Webinars are hosted every semester on popular topics and trends such as White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, Food Addiction, Nutrition Policy, Entrepreneurship, and Nutrition Equity and Food Access. Webinars are free to students, and we encourage you to participate in as many as possible to expand your learning and build your professional network.

Alumni Employers

As passionate change-makers, our alumni are employed in various settings all over the country. You can find some of them working at these outstanding organizations:

Rigorous Courses

Online courses are as challenging as their on-campus counterparts and taught by the same connected faculty members and prominent lecturers.

100% Support

New-student orientation, 24/7 help desk for technical issues, a student services coordinator, financial aid advisers, and more are all available to ensure your success.

Expert Faculty

Home to some of the most acclaimed scholars and thought leaders in the world, you’ll learn from award-winning scholars and policymakers, diplomats, authors, artists, attorneys, scientists, journalists, and more.

Collaborative Learning

Use virtual tools to talk about your coursework, work in teams with classmates, build strong connections, network with others and ask your professor questions and turn in assignments.