Online Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition
The University of Maine’s online Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition is rooted in nutrition science. By earning a certificate in Human Nutrition you can:
- Deepen your knowledge of human metabolism and its relationship with nutrition
- Explore emerging topics in sustainable food systems
- Learn to assess the nutritional status of individuals and populations using up-to-date tools and methods
- Understand the roles nutrients and supplements play in maintaining health through different stages of life
- Review alternative practices such as homeopathy, herbal medicine, and dietary supplements and how they can integrate into conventional dietetic practices
Curriculum
Courses help you expand your understanding of the science behind nutrition and its effect on health across lifespans. You’ll also become familiar with graduate-level work and create a pathway to earning a Master of Science.
Courses completed with a grade of B or above can be applied toward the Master’s program.
Courses
Choose four of the following courses (12 credits):
- FSN 501: Advanced Human Nutrition (3 credits)
- FSN 506: Nutritional Assessment (3 credits)
- FSN 508: Nutrition & Aging (3 credits)
- FSN 524: Responsible Design, Conduct and Analysis of Research (3 credits)
- FSN 530: Integrative and Functional Nutrition (3 credits)
- FSN 538: Fermented Foods & Probiotics (3 credits)
- FSN 542: Sustainability, Nutrition, and Health (3 credits)
- FSN 543: Communication in Nutrition and Food Technology (3 credits)
- FSN 555: Organic & Natural Foods (3 credits)
- FSN 603: Nutrient Changes in the Food System (3 credits)
Admissions
Application Deadlines
- Fall: March 15
- Spring: October 15
- Summer: February 15
Applications received after these dates will be considered as space
permits.
Requirements
- 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 (1 year)
- One college-level course in Biology
- One college-level course in Anatomy and Physiology
- 1 college-level introductory nutrition course
Application Materials
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 resume or CV
- Official academic transcripts
- An essay describing your motivation for obtaining a certificate in Human Nutrition
Contact Us
Have questions about earning your Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition online with UMaine? Contact Julie Roach, UMaineOnline Advisor, at 207.581.3154 (Mon/Wed) or 207.573.0417 (Tue/Thu/Fri), or at julie.a.roach@maine.edu.
Careers
A certificate in Human Nutrition helps you become a credible resource in the relationship between diet and health. You’ll gain the confidence to make decisions and give advice for a healthier lifestyle through nutritious food choices. Professionals in many fields can benefit from the knowledge they’ll acquire with this certificate:
- 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, nurse practitioners, and nurses) 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 provide customers with healthier product options
This certificate doesn’t prepare individuals to prescribe medical nutrition therapy (MNT) or treat chronic diseases. If you’re interested in becoming a registered dietitian and using medical nutrition as therapy, explore UMaine’s dietetic internship program.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of nutritionists is projected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030, faster than average, with about 5,900 openings per year. The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $61,650 in May 2021, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.
Notable Companies Employing Current Students and Alumni
- Atlantic Sea Farms
- Bolthouse Farms
- Campbell Soup Company
- Cigna
- Coca Cola
- Deli Star Corporation
- E. A. Sween Company
- Farmer Brothers Company
- Firmenich
- McCormick & Company
- Schreiber Foods
- U.S. Army, Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center
Faculty
Our research-driven program is designed and taught by on-campus faculty who are passionate about the field of nutrition. They are experienced nutrition and health professionals who actively conduct research in nutrition education, human nutrient requirements over the lifespan, the effects of micronutrients, trace minerals, and lipids on human health, and other nutritional issues. Their courses are developed using the latest evidence on nutrition and health to meet the needs of professionals working in health-related fields.
