Program highlights
- Academic excellence. Our expert faculty includes active practitioners and leading researchers in food and nutrition. They teach an evidence-based curriculum that balances foundational nutritional science with emerging research and trends. They are accessible and understanding of the unique needs of distance learners.
- Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). BGSU offers a pathway to complete the process to become an RDN.
- Flexibility. Our student-centered approach ensures manageable course loads (full- and part-time) with asynchronous learning options for working professionals.
- Highly affordable. The master’s food and nutrition program is offered at the same affordable pricing for Ohio residents and out-of-state students.
- Career-focused coursework. You’ll have a clear pathway toward your desired credentials and career outcome. We offer diverse electives and culminating experience options that allow you to develop experience and expertise in your chosen area.
- Supportive learning community. BGSU offers virtual networking opportunities, active mentorships and responsive academic advising.
- Build connections. Online students are encouraged to connect with community learning experiences in the BGSU Nutrition Clinic, the BGSU Falcon Food Pantry and the Consumer and Sensory Research Laboratory.
- Return on investment. Our graduates have strong job placement rates and benefit from our active alumni network, large network of community partners and career services for nutrition professionals.
- Peace Corps Fellowship. Returning Peace Corps volunteers may receive financial assistance to pursue an online Master of Food and Nutrition through the Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellows Program (USA).
100% of recently-surveyed BGSU graduates of the MFN and dietetic internship were employed in the field of nutrition or dietetics within 12 months of graduation.
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Career opportunities
Earning a food and nutrition graduate degree online allows you to build expertise while maintaining your current professional commitments.
Jobs for dietitians, nutritionists and food science experts are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Your knowledge will help people make informed choices, support community wellness initiatives and address pervasive health challenges.
Qualified students working to become a registered dietitian nutritionist can do so through the online Master of Food and Nutrition program while concurrently completing BGSU’s ACEND-accredited distance dietetic internship program. Registered dietitians work in:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient care centers (specialized clinics for weight management, pediatric nutrition, gastrointestinal disorders, etc.)
- Long-term care facilities (nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities)
- Private practice
In the corporate world, employers are increasingly investing in employee wellness programs where a food and nutrition degree is a major asset. Graduates are capable of:
- Conducting nutritionally focused needs assessments
- Designing and implementing workplace nutrition education programs
- Evaluating the effectiveness of workplace wellness or nutrition initiatives
In sports and fitness, graduates with the RDN credential may develop nutrition performance plans for elite or amateur athletes. They may educate coaches and athletic trainers and monitor clients throughout various training cycles.
Those interested in education and advocacy may opt to work as community or public health nutritionists for government agencies, school districts or nonprofits.
Additional career tracks include food production, food development and food safety – particularly here in northwest Ohio, the agricultural heartland.
Career paths
- Clinical dietitian
- Nutrition educator
- Food scientist
- Clinical nutrition manager
- Sports dietitian
- Company dietitian/Corporate wellness manager
- Food and nutrition researcher
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Dietetics and nutrition sciences graduates have one of the lowest unemployment rates (0.4%) in the U.S. by college major.
How to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
The BGSU distance dietetic internship program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and provides a pathway for students to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
To become an RDN, you must:
- Complete ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) coursework to earn a verification statement.
- Complete 1,000 hours of supervised practice in an accredited Dietetic Internship.
- Earn a graduate degree in nutrition or a related field.
- Pass the national credentialing exam for registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN).
If you do not have a DPD verification statement, start with didactic coursework. MFN graduate courses may meet some requirements, but not all. It's usually more efficient to complete DPD coursework first. Email the undergraduate dietetics director for a transcript review and course planning.
The first-time pass rate (2022-24 average) of the Registered Dietitian credentialing examination for on-campus and distance interns at BGSU was 90.6% – far exceeding the 80% goal.
Curriculum
The 31-credit hour online Master of Food and Nutrition degree offers a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for a range of careers in food and nutrition. The program includes:
- 15 credit hours of core coursework
- 12 credit hours of electives
- 4 credit hours of culminating experience.
Stand out with electives such as Sports Nutrition, Weight Management, Phytochemicals or Special Topics in Food and Nutrition. Recent topics have included nutrition leadership/entrepreneurship, diabetes, nutrition communication, food allergies and eating disorders.
Choose your own culminating experience – thesis or non-thesis. Non-thesis options include:
- Applied master’s project
- Comprehensive exam
- Dietetic internship with portfolio experience (limited to BGSU dietetic interns)
All online courses are taken asynchronously. Full-time students can complete the program in 1.5 academic years.
Sample courses
- Community and Public Health Nutrition
- Micronutrients Through the Lifespan
- Research Methods in Food and Nutrition
- Macronutrients for Human Nutrition
- Advanced Clinical Nutrition
Admissions requirements
The Master of Food and Nutrition program welcomes applicants:
- With a bachelor’s degree in food or nutrition from an accredited college or university
- Who have completed foundational coursework in biochemistry, human anatomy and physiology and human nutrition
Ideal candidates typically have educational backgrounds in dietetics, food and nutrition or related fields, such as public health, kinesiology, biological sciences or allied health disciplines.
Our holistic admissions approach evaluates candidates based on multiple factors, including:
- Academic achievement. While we typically seek a minimum of 3.0 overall GPA or 3.3 in the final 60 credit hours, this is a guideline rather than strict requirement.
- Personal experience. Relevant work or internship experience in nutrition, healthcare and related fields.
- References. Quality letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources.
- Community engagement. Demonstrated commitment through civic involvement or university activities.
Graduate certificate of food and nutrition
The online food and nutrition graduate certificate offers expanded knowledge to meet diverse career goals for professionals working in healthcare, business, research and education settings. The curriculum will help you gain the skills to critically evaluate food and nutrition information and apply evidence-based nutrition strategies.
This graduate certificate prepares you to navigate nutrition challenges with confidence and credibility. With a focus on topics such as nutrient metabolism, the FNGC certificate can also be beneficial to graduate students in other degree programs .
The online certificate is a flexible option for:
- BGSU distance dietetic interns who have a previous graduate degree
- Students in other master’s programs who want nutrition knowledge (With focus on topics like nutrient metabolism, the certificate can benefit students in allied health, biological sciences, public health or human movement sport and leisure studies.)
- Anyone seeking advanced study in food and nutrition without a full degree
The graduate certificate in food and nutrition is a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.
I wanted a master’s program that was able to meet my needs as a working dietitian to upgrade my skill set. The online program at Bowling Green fit my needs perfectly. I was able to attend class while working full time. I found that my professors were knowledgeable, approachable and well suited to teach in a virtual classroom.
– An MFN alum
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BGSU is one of only a handful of universities in the nation — and the only one in Ohio — to earn the Quality Matters Online Learner Support certificate for all of our online programs. This recognition reflects our commitment to providing the critical support and academic services that online students need to succeed.
The online Master of Food and Nutrition program is part of the BGSU Graduate College and the Department of Public and Allied Health in the BGSU College of Health and Human Services.
Updated: 11/25/2025 09:47AM