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Online Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition

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12 Credits

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Fall Deadline: March 15 | Spring Deadline: October 15 | Summer Deadline: February 15

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No GRE/GMAT Required

  • NOTE: Chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, and nutrition are mandatory for admission into the program.

About the Program

The online Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition is rooted in nutrition science. The program:

  • Deepens your knowledge of human metabolism and its relationship with nutrition
  • Explores emerging topics in sustainable food systems
  • Teaches you to assess the nutritional status of individuals and populations using up-to-date tools and methods
  • Explores the roles nutrients and supplements play in maintaining health through different stages of life
  • Reviews alternative practices such as homeopathy, herbal medicine, and dietary supplements and how they can integrate into conventional dietetic practices

This certificate can lead to a M.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Contact Us

Have questions about earning your Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition online with UMaine? Contact a UMaineOnline advisor.

A picture of Julie Roach

Julie Roach

UMaineOnline Advisor


207.573.0417
julie.a.roach@maine.edu

Curriculum

Courses help you expand your understanding of the science behind nutrition and its effect on health across lifespans. 

Courses passed with a B or higher can be applied toward the M.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Choose four courses from the following (12 credits):

  • FSN 501: Advanced Human Nutrition (3 credits) Fall (odd years) and Summer  (even years)
  • FSN 506: Nutritional Assessment (3 credits) Spring
  • FSN 508: Nutrition & Aging (3 credits) Summer (odd years)
  • FSN 524: Responsible Design, Conduct & Analysis of Research (3 credits) Fall (even years)
  • FSN 530: Integrative & Functional Nutrition (3 credits) Spring (even years)
  • FSN 538: Food Fermentation (3 credits) Spring (odd years) and Summer (even years)
  • FSN 539: Probiotics in Food: Formulation & Function (3 credits) Fall (even years)
  • FSN 540: Advanced Clinical Topics (3 credits) Fall
  • FSN 542: Sustainability, Nutrition, & Health (3 credits) Spring (odd years)
  • FSN 543: Communication in Nutrition and Food Technology (3 credits) Fall and Summer
  • FSN 555: Organic & Natural Foods (3 credits) Spring (even years) and Summer (odd years)
  • FSN 603: Nutrients in the Food System (3 credits) Summer (even years)

Admissions

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester: March 15
  • Spring Semester: October 15
  • Summer Semester: February 15

Applications submitted after the deadlines will be considered only if space is available.

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Two college-level courses in chemistry 
  • One college-level course in biology
  • One college-level course in anatomy and physiology
  • One college-level introductory nutrition course
  • NOTE: Chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, and nutrition are mandatory for admission into the program.

The admission evaluation process begins once we’ve received all of your application materials. Before you apply, please review the application instructions. When you’re ready to apply, please submit the following:

  • An online application
  • Current résumé or CV
  • Official academic transcripts from all institutions attended
  • A 300-500 word essay describing your motivation for obtaining a Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition
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Careers

A Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition helps you become a credible resource in the relationship between diet and health. Professionals in many fields can benefit from the knowledge they’ll acquire with this certificate. In example:

  • Current dietitians can explore new areas of study, such as integrative and functional nutrition, gerontology, and sustainability, and enhance their ability to work on research projects with nonprofit organizations or other institutions
  • Healthcare professionals (e.g., dentists, doctors, physician assistants, physical therapists, nurses, etc.) can emphasize the importance of nutrition in chronic disease prevention and treatment
  • Exercise physiologists and health educators can provide clients with a well-rounded approach to health and wellness
  • Foodservice professionals and managers can give customers healthier product options

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of nutritionists is projected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average, with about 5,600 openings annually. The median annual wage for nutritionists was $69,680 in May 2023, higher than the median yearly wage for all occupations of $48,060.

  • NOTE: This certificate doesn’t prepare individuals to prescribe medical nutrition therapy (MNT) or treat chronic diseases. Explore UMaine’s dietetic internship program if you are a graduate of an ACEND-accredited dietetics undergraduate program to become a registered dietitian.