Dietetics GP, MPH, Online
Quick Facts
Credit Hours: 49-51 | Estimated Time to Completion: 1-2 years | Cost Per Credit Hour: $500 | Start Dates: Fall, Spring
Program Details
- Location
- Wayne Campus, Akron Campus
- Level
- graduate
- Degree/Program Type
- MPH Master of Public Health / major
- Format
- online
- Course Info
- Course Sequence
- College
- Health and Human Sciences, College of (Dean's Office)
- School/Department
- School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences
Program Contact
- Michelle Boltz, MS, RD, CSSD, CSOWM, LD
-
Assistant Professor & Director of Dietetics GP MPH
330-972-8664
Program Overview
The University of Akron Online offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Dietetics to prepare future registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) to improve health through the transformative power of food and nutrition. Combining advanced coursework in nutrition and dietetics with a strong foundation in public health, the program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and supervised experiential learning needed for entry-level practice and future leadership in the profession.
Students develop expertise in food service administration, medical nutrition therapy, and community nutrition while exploring the broader systems that influence health and well-being. Through coursework, research, and professional practice experiences, graduates learn to address complex nutrition challenges, collaborate across disciplines, and make meaningful contributions to individuals, communities, and populations.
The program is delivered 100% online and taught by the same expert faculty who teach on campus.
What You'll Learn
Develop advanced knowledge of nutrition, dietetics, and public health while gaining practical experience that prepares you to support healthier individuals, communities, and populations.
Skills Gained
Nutrition assessment and counseling
Medical nutrition therapy
Community nutrition planning
Public health leadership
Evidence-based decision-making
Food service management
Research interpretation
Program development and evaluation
Interprofessional collaboration
Professional communication
Technology integration in nutrition practice
Research and innovation in nutrition science
Core Practice
Translate nutrition science into practical recommendations
Develop and evaluate nutrition programs
Apply public health principles to nutrition challenges
Collaborate with health care professionals, community partners, and key stakeholders
Assess nutritional needs across diverse populations
Promote health and well-being through evidence-based practice
Support system-wide improvements across food, health care, and community settings
Key Topics
Advanced human nutrition
Clinical nutrition
Community nutrition
Public health
Epidemiology
Biostatistics
Environmental health
Health services administration
Food systems management
Nutrition research
Career Outcomes
The online MPH in Dietetics prepares graduates to serve as nutrition and public health professionals capable of addressing nutrition challenges across health care, community, food service, and public health settings. Graduates may provide nutrition counseling, manage food service operations, develop community nutrition programs, or work on interdisciplinary health care teams.
Job Titles
Registered dietitian nutritionist*
Clinical dietitian
Community nutrition specialist
Public health nutritionist
Nutrition consultant
Wellness program manager
Food service director
Nutrition services manager
Where You’ll Work
Hospitals and health care systems
Long-term care facilities
Community health organizations
Public health agencies
Wellness and prevention programs
Schools and universities
Food service organizations
Government and nonprofit agencies
*Subject to applicable credentialing, examination, and state licensure requirements. Learn more about professional licensure.
Additional Program Information
Dietetics Curriculum
The MPH in Dietetics combines advanced nutrition coursework, public health foundations, supervised experiential learning, and professional practice experiences to prepare graduates for leadership in nutrition and dietetics.
Public Health Foundations
Develop a strong foundation in public health through coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health sciences, social and behavioral sciences, health services administration, and public health concepts. These courses help students understand how nutrition and health are influenced by broader systems, populations, and communities.
→ View public health curriculum requirements
Advanced Nutrition and Dietetics
Build expertise in advanced human nutrition, clinical nutrition, food systems management, and community nutrition. Coursework prepares students to apply nutrition science in a variety of professional settings while supporting evidence-based practice and improved health outcomes.
→ View nutrition and dietetics coursework
Supervised Experiential Learning
Gain hands-on experience through supervised experiential learning in nutrition, long-term care, community nutrition, and professional practice settings. Students may complete experiences at preferred sites, develop new opportunities, or receive faculty support in identifying placements that align with their goals.
Capstone and Professional Practice
Integrate classroom learning and practical experience through capstone coursework, practicum experiences, and professional development activities. Students strengthen leadership, communication, problem-solving, and professional practice skills as they prepare for future careers in nutrition and dietetics.
Student Engagement Opportunities
Connect with fellow students and future professionals through The University of Akron Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The organization promotes involvement in the dietetics profession, professional development, nutrition education, and community outreach while helping students build meaningful connections within the field.
Degree Accreditation
Accredited Dietetics Education
The Dietetics MPH program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), ensuring rigorous preparation for future practice.
Registered Dietitian Pathway
Prepare for Practice
Develop the knowledge, skills, and supervised experiential learning needed to prepare for entry-level practice as a registered dietitian nutritionist.
Experiential Learning
Real-World Nutrition Experience
Complete supervised experiential learning in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, food service administration, and other professional practice settings.
Admissions Information
Learn about admission requirements, prerequisites, tuition, and financial aid options.
To apply to the online MPH in Dietetics program, you'll need to:
- Hold a bachelor's degree from a U.S.-accredited college or university
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Complete required prerequisite coursework with grades of B or better
- Submit all graduate admission materials
- Participate in program interviews and faculty review processes as required
Prerequisite coursework includes:
- CHEM 114 Introduction to General, Organic & Biochemistry
- CHEM 115 Introduction to General, Organic & Biochemistry Laboratory
- STAT 260 Basic Statistics
- BIOL 130 Principles of Microbiology
- ANAT 206 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology I
- ANAT 210 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab I
- ANAT 207 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology II
- ANAT 211 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab II
- NUTR 133 Nutrition Fundamentals (or equivalent)
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to remain in the program.
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis for graduate programs.
- Ohio resident tuition: $500 per credit hour
- Online students benefit from a reduced out-of-state surcharge of $1 per credit hour
→ View tuition and fees for graduate students
→ Estimate your cost of attendance
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a variety of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Graduate student loans
- Work-study opportunities (when available)
- Institutional scholarships
The University of Akron provides financial aid to a significant number of graduate students each year.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers support throughout the process, including assistance with FAFSA completion, understanding your aid package, and planning for educational costs.
To apply to the online MPH in Dietetics program, you'll need to:
- Hold a bachelor's degree from a U.S.-accredited college or university
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Complete required prerequisite coursework with grades of B or better
- Submit all graduate admission materials
- Participate in program interviews and faculty review processes as required
Prerequisite coursework includes:
- CHEM 114 Introduction to General, Organic & Biochemistry
- CHEM 115 Introduction to General, Organic & Biochemistry Laboratory
- STAT 260 Basic Statistics
- BIOL 130 Principles of Microbiology
- ANAT 206 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology I
- ANAT 210 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab I
- ANAT 207 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology II
- ANAT 211 Applied Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab II
- NUTR 133 Nutrition Fundamentals (or equivalent)
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to remain in the program.
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis for graduate programs.
- Ohio resident tuition: $500 per credit hour
- Online students benefit from a reduced out-of-state surcharge of $1 per credit hour
→ View tuition and fees for graduate students
→ Estimate your cost of attendance
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a variety of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Graduate student loans
- Work-study opportunities (when available)
- Institutional scholarships
The University of Akron provides financial aid to a significant number of graduate students each year.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers support throughout the process, including assistance with FAFSA completion, understanding your aid package, and planning for educational costs.
Online Nutrition & Dietetics Faculty
Learn from experienced faculty who combine expertise in nutrition, dietetics, public health, research, and professional practice to help prepare the next generation of nutrition leaders.
Online MPH in Dietetics FAQs
Graduates of the MPH in Dietetics program may pursue careers in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, public health, food service management, wellness programming, and nutrition consulting. Registered dietitian nutritionists often work with individuals, organizations, and communities to improve health outcomes through evidence-based nutrition interventions. Career opportunities can be found in hospitals, health care systems, long-term care facilities, public health agencies, schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations.
Some professionals focus on direct patient care, while others develop nutrition programs, manage food service operations, or support population health initiatives. The program's combination of public health and dietetics coursework prepares graduates for a variety of professional pathways.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dietitians and nutritionists earn a median annual salary of approximately $74,000. Salary potential can vary based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, specialty area, employer type, and professional credentials. Dietitians working in health care leadership, management, consulting, or specialized clinical areas may earn higher salaries depending on their responsibilities.
The online MPH in Dietetics program costs $500 per credit hour for Ohio residents. Students who reside outside Ohio benefit from a reduced out-of-state surcharge of just $1 per credit hour, making the program accessible regardless of location. Eligible students may also qualify for financial aid, student loans, scholarships, or other forms of assistance.
A Master of Public Health (MPH) focuses on improving health outcomes at the community and population level through prevention, education, research, policy, and public health practice. A Master of Health Administration (MHA) focuses more heavily on health care management, operations, finance, and organizational leadership within health care systems. Students interested in addressing health challenges through nutrition, prevention, and population health often find the MPH to be a better fit for their goals.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a U.S. accredited college or university and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher upon entry into the program. Students must also complete required prerequisite coursework, including classes in nutrition, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, and statistics, with grades of B or better. Admission decisions are based on academic performance, faculty assessments, graduate school admission criteria, and interviews. Students are admitted directly into the Dietetics Graduate Program MPH track and are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program.
Prospective students should review all admission requirements and prerequisite coursework before applying.
Earn Your Master’s in Dietetics Online
Prepare to lead through the power of food, nutrition, and public health while developing the expertise to improve health outcomes in communities across the globe.