Nutritionist School in Georgia

Georgia Nutrition Schools and Educational Degrees

Nutritional programs are offered at three different levels: the associate, the bachelor, and the master. All of these are great degree options, but the associate’s degree is no longer being deemed appropriate for entry-level work as a nutritionist. While many schools still offer this type of program, it is important for you to be aware that some employers may not consider it sufficient.

Your studies should include a combination of general core education and nutritional education. Some of the classes that you may be asked to take could include psychology, digestion, human nutrition, biology and development, and chemistry. While it may not seem obvious at first that chemistry would have anything to do with nutrition, chemistry is an essential part of the digestion process and aides in the assistance of that process.

Professional Certification

The next thing that you will want to do is to become recognized as a professional in your field, and there are two ways to do this. The Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB) offers a certified clinical nutritionist (CCN) designation, and the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists (CBNS) offers a certified nutrition specialist (CNS) designation.

You may be wondering what the difference is between the CCN and the CNS? The difference is ultimately education. CCNs are required to have the minimum education of an associate’s degree; however, a bachelor’s degree is strongly recommended. CNSs need to have a master’s degree to obtain their certification. This is something that you should keep in mind when you are planning your schooling and career goals.

Each title does require you to sit for a test given by each specializing agency. For the CCN, the cost is $450, and the CNS costs $300. Regardless of which level of education or which title you decide to pursue, you can be assured that employers in this field will be looking for these titles.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Nutritionists in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus and Savannah, Georgia may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including Atlanta Medical Center, Grady Memorial Hospital, WellStar Kennestone Hospital, and DeKalb Medical at North Decatur.