| College | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill | Massachusetts |
| Chatham University | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
| Dominican University | River Forest | Illinois |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette | Indiana |
| Tufts University | Medford | Massachusetts |
The Dietetics and Nutrition Industry
Dietetics and nutrition is a multibillion-dollar a year industry comprised of thousands of businesses that employ hundreds of thousands of people nationwide. Within this industry are more than 68,000 dietitians and nutritionists working in all settings from hospitals and clinics to corporate offices. Thanks to explosive growth in preventive care services, an aging population, and healthcare laws that have made healthcare more accessible and affordable, the job outlook for dietitians and nutritionists is excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that projected percent change in employment for dietitians and nutritionists from 2016-2026 is 15%, which is much faster than the average 7% projected growth rate for all occupations.
Even better is, the healthcare industry overall is booming. The BLS reports that employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18% from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The sector is expected to add about 2.4 million new jobs nationwide. Healthcare occupations will add more jobs than any other occupation group in the U.S.
Dietetics and Nutrition Salaries
Salaries for dietitians and nutritionists are promising as well. Professionals in this field have the potential to earn up to $85,000 annually, with an average mean of $61,210 annually. For those with an advanced degree, salaries could be even higher. This is especially true of those with an MBA in Dietetics and Nutrition or related concentration. Because MBAs in this field typically work in high-level management or leadership positions, in consulting for large firms, or in their own practices or businesses, average salaries are typically higher than $100K annually.
Online MBA Programs for Aspiring Dietitians and Nutritionists
Thanks to growth in the dietetics and nutrition industry and demand for MBAs with specialized skills in this area, many business schools have developed new dual programs or expanded existing MBA programs to include Dietetics and Nutrition (D&N) or a related area. Programs can be found in all regions. Just a few options
- Brennan School of Business and the Nutrition Science Department at Dominican University, MBA with a Coordinated Program in Dietetics - MBA/RD
- Carroll School of Management at Boston College in conjunction with Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, MS Nutrition + MBA
- Falk School of Sustainability & Environment and the School of Arts, Science & Business (SASB), Department of Business and Entrepreneurship at Chatham University, MA Food Studies/MBA – MAFS/MBA or Customized Specialization
- Kelly School of Business and the Center for Food and Agricultural Business at Purdue University, MS-MBS in Food and Agribusiness Management
Curriculums and course titles will vary by school, but students can expect to take traditional MBA courses along with advanced coursework in nutrition, dietetics, health sciences, food science, and other related areas. The following are just examples of the types of courses that may be required or selected as electives to refine your focus.
MBA
- Accounting for Managers
- Business Ethics and Society
- Data Analytics Technology & Management
- Data Analytics Using Databases
- Economics of the Firm
- Financial Management
- Internship and/or Global Experience
- Leading People and Organizations
- Management Information Systems
- Management Practice Experience
- Marketing Management
- Operations Management for Competitiveness
- Professional Development Programming
- Strategic Management
Dietetics and Nutrition
- Advanced Nutrition in Complementary and Alternative Therapy
- Advanced Nutrition: Protein, Fats, and Carbohydrates
- Advanced Nutrition: Vitamins and Minerals
- Critical Care Nutrition
- Nutrition in Aging
- Nutritional Aspects of Eating Disorders
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Seminar
- Sports Nutrition
- Supervised Practice
- Weight Management
A D&N internship and/or apprenticeship may be required as well. These experiences may highlight clinical practice in dietetics, nutrition counseling, nutrition-focused physical assessment, medical nutrition therapy, research applications, and other valuable areas.
Whether you choose a dual degree, concentration or even a certificate in D&N to enhance your MBA, graduates with this unique background have a (very) bright future ahead of them.
Considering an Online MBA? Use our interactive map to find information on schools and colleges offering Online MBA programs in your state and across the U.S.
Sources
"Healthcare Occupations." U.S. Department of Labor. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 23 June 2017.
"Healthcare Occupations." U.S. Department of Labor. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 12 Apr. 2019. Web. 24 June 2019.
"MBA - Carroll School of Management." Carroll School of Management. Boston College, 26 Apr. 2017. Web. 23 June 2017.
"Nutritionists & Dietitians: Market Research Report." IBISWorld. IBISWorld, June 2017. Web. 23 June 2017.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2016, Dietitians and Nutritionists." U.S Department of Labor. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 31 Mar. 2017. Web. 23 June 2017.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2018, Dietitians and Nutritionists." U.S Department of Labor. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 29 Mar. 2019. Web. 24 June 2019.
