Summarize the following:
If you are a high school student who would like to pursue an undergraduate degree in nutrition, you should see if your school offers nutrition courses or courses on public health. Many public high schools offer classes on nutrition education and diet. Ask your school's guidance counselor if there are any applicable classes you can take at your school that you can take to better prepare you for your undergraduate degree. Many universities and colleges have a public health sciences department that offers a Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or nutritional studies, as well as dietetics. Look for programs that offer a four year program with an internship or hands-on experience in the field. Most Bachelor programs offer Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) or Coordinated Dietetics Programs (CDP).  Some Bachelor’s programs allow you to focus on specific areas in nutrition, such as nutrition and dietetics management, comprehensive nutrition, sports nutrition, human nutrition, and community nutrition. A list of the top undergraduate nutrition degree programs can be found here: http://www.publichealthonline.org/nutrition/degree-programs/. When you are researching Master’s degrees in nutrition or nutritional science, you should consider the program’s rate of employment for graduating students and if the program offers any financial support or funding for incoming graduate students.  Master’s programs focus on the particular sciences associated with nutrition, including food science, biochemistry, physiology, dietetics, food and nutrition studies, biophysics, biotechnology, and clinical sciences. A list of the top Master’s programs in nutrition can be found here: http://www.thebestschools.org/blog/2012/09/06/10-master-nutrition-degree-programs/. Once you decide on the programs you are going to be applying for, you should complete the application process according to the requirements listed on the program’s website. Most Bachelor’s and Master’s programs have a detailed application process that you can complete online. Take note of the deadline for your applications and plan to complete them accordingly.  Most Bachelor programs require your high school transcripts and a 3.0 or higher GPA. Most Master’s programs require your undergraduate transcripts, two to three letters of reference from individuals who are familiar with your academic and professional background, and a personal statement of intent. Some programs also suggest that you complete pre requisites at the undergraduate level in chemistry, biology, and physiology in a lab, as well as introductory courses in nutrition, biochemistry, and statistics. However, they are not required for all programs and many programs allow you to do these prerequisites as part of your Master’s degree. If you complete your Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, you will have these prerequisites already. Some Master’s programs in nutrition also require you to complete your Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in order to apply to the program. If your native language is not English, you will also need to complete a TOFL exam for some programs. The cost of tuition for Bachelor’s programs in nutrition will vary according to the institution, as most Bachelor’s programs have standard tuition costs for all four year undergraduate programs. This can vary from $50,000 to $65,000 total. The cost of tuition for Master’s programs will also vary according to the institution, but it is suggested that you look for programs that offer a level of funding or financial assistance. This could be in the form of Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships, scholarships, or a work study program.
Take high school classes in nutrition, if available. Research institutions that offer a Bachelor degree in nutrition. Look at institutions that offer a Master’s degree in nutrition. Complete the application. Be prepared for the cost of tuition.