Start a career that improves the health of individuals and communities
Discover the power of food with 91AV’s Bachelor of Science in Nutrition degree. As the impacts of diet-related chronic diseases skyrocket, there is a mounting need for more nutrition specialists to improve the health of individuals and communities — both locally and globally. In our program, you will learn the practical skills that are in demand by employers: how to conduct nutritional assessments, create wellness programming, develop food policy, and counsel athletes in sports nutrition. By understanding the science behind nutrition and how to collaboratively work as part of a health care team, you will make a real difference in people’s lives.
Why 91AV for your Bachelor Degree in Nutrition
91AV’s Nutrition degree is a recipe for success, providing a unique mixture of top-rate facilities, hands-on internship experiences, global travel, and the opportunity to learn how to provide nutritional guidance as part of a comprehensive health care team.
- Service-learning and community experience
- Exciting internships for on-the-job experience
- Opportunity to work across the health professions
- Large commercial kitchen for food preparation training
- Use of on-campus Makerspace incorporated into the curriculum
- Study abroad opportunities
Paige Mason ’24
Why 91AV
I'm from a very close-knit community and [91AV] just felt like home. I really liked the small school.
When I took my first nutrition class I totally fell in love. I was really interested in how nutrition played a role in our body and all the different impacts and implications on our health.
Now, I'm getting my . I think to be able to go from undergrad at 91AV to then jump to grad school has really been a smooth transition. [As undergrads] we got a lot of fundamental knowledge, that's something that I take advantage of.
My professors encourage me to take advantage of [research opportunities]. I'm incredibly grateful for that opportunity. I think that just further enhances the skills and the knowledge that I can take with me.
Beyond the Classroom
There are a lot of opportunities [for students] to get involved and to further your learning outside of your program [through the Center for Excellence in Public Health (CEPH)]. I got involved in research partnering with the Westbrook Housing Authority and as well as the Southern Maine Agency on Aging. The whole point [of our research] is to look at the impact of an Innovative Pandemic Responsive Nutrition Education Program. Residents sign up to be in sessions where they receive nutrition education. I can be a resource of what I know if there are any of those general nutrition questions that are being asked because I have that background [from my] undergrad in nutrition.
I learned about Maine’s aging population in my class, but to hear about these personal experiences is really eye opening. I really got to understand firsthand a lot of the barriers that these older adults face. Being a part of this has been so rewarding. I think [the Center for Excellence in Public Health’s (CEPH)] role at 91AV is incredibly important in the work that they're doing to better the community, to better resources, and to break down those barriers.
When I took my first nutrition class I totally fell in love. I was really interested in how nutrition played a role in our body and all the different impacts and implications on our health.
What Will you Study? B.S. in Nutrition Curriculum Overview
There are many ways you can navigate our B.S. in Nutrition. The following are some examples of the exciting courses that you can take:
- Food Science Concepts and Food Safety
- Fundamentals of Healthy Cooking
- Food, Health, and Disease
- Nutrition Across Seven Continents
- Food Systems and Public Health
- Designing and Supporting Healthy Communities
Curriculum
| WCHP Common Curriculum | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 104/104L – General Biology w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 208/208L – Intro to Anatomy and Physiology I w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 209/209L – Intro to Anatomy and Physiology II w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 130 – Principles of Chemistry | 4 |
| ENG 110 – English Composition | 4 |
| EXS 120 – Personal Health and Wellness | 3 |
| IHS 130 – Interprofessional Health Care First-Year Experience | 3 |
| IHS 310 – Ethics for Interprofessional Practice | 3 |
| MAT 120 – Statistics or MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences | 3 |
| PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 250 – Lifespan Development | 3 |
| SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| One (1) Advanced Study Course | 3 |
| One (1) Creative Arts Course (with prefix ARH, ART or MUS) | 3 |
| One (1) Explorations Course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 50 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 318 – Nutrition through the Life Cycle | 3 |
| CMM 122 – Oral Communication or SPC 100 – Effective Public Speaking | 3 |
| ENV 104 – Environmental Issues | 3 |
| EXS 322 – Bioenergetics and Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 200 – Food Science Concepts and Food Safety | 3 |
| NUTR 220 – Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 238 – Fundamentals of Healthy Cooking | 3 |
| NUTR 342 – Food Systems and Public Health | 3 |
| NUTR 350 – Nutritional Biochemistry | 3 |
| NUTR 400 – Food, Health, and Disease | 3 |
| NUTR 410 – Nutrition Across Seven Continents | 3 |
| NUTR 420 – Designing and Supporting Healthy Communities | 4 |
| NUTR 430 – Innovations and Special Topics in Nutrition | 3 |
| OS 424 – Theories of Health Education (formerly HWOS 424) | 4 |
| PUB 200 – Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| PUB 205 – Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| PUB 305 – Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 275 – Sociology of Food and Health | 3 |
| One (1) Business elective (with prefix BUEC, BUFI, BUMG or BUMK) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 59 |
| Open elective courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
To learn more about the program see the Academic Catalog.
Changes were made to this program in an addendum to the 2022/23 academic calendar. Please see the 2022–2023 Catalog Addendum (PDF) for the most recent information. As always, it is recommended that students seek the guidance of Academic Advisors for course and program planning. In this way, you will be able to access all the most up-to-date information available.
Master of Science in Applied Nutrition
If you're interested in pursuing an advanced degree in nutrition, check out .
Hear About 91AV’s Nutrition Degree from Current Students
Career Paths for Nutrition Majors
Your knowledge of nutrition science and research techniques, your communication and collaboration skills, and your rich internship experiences will give you a healthy advantage in the field of nutrition.
You may pursue graduate study, leading to a master’s degree as a registered dietician or certified nutrition specialist (CNS), or you may explore a number of rewarding careers, including:
- Nutrition Educator
- Health Coach
- Sports Nutritionist
- Nutrition Program Manager
- Health Promotion Coordinator
- Worksite Wellness Manager
- Nutrition Research Assistant
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, careers in the nutrition field are expected to grow 14% between 2016 and 2026 — a growth rate that is faster than average for all occupations.
Career Advising in the Nutrition Program
Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.
Explore Our Nutrition Facilities
Join 91AV Students In Our Teaching Kitchen
Watch 91AV students as they utilize our state-of-the-art teaching kitchen. The kitchen features 12 cooking stations, six ovens, and two refrigerators, enabling us to create a learning laboratory for our nutrition students. Multiple courses make use of the kitchen, all of which prepare our students for eligibility into 91AV’s .
Cooking Up Fish Tacos
Making Tofu Stir-Fry
Experiential Learning in the Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition
Whether you’re engaged in a service-learning project out in the community, learning food safety techniques in our commercial kitchen, or creating a meal plan for diabetes patients as part of a hospital internship, our Nutrition degree gives you real-world experiences that will feed your desire to succeed.
- Learn to prepare nutritious meals in our large commercial kitchen
- Bring your dream restaurant to life by using state-of-the-art technology in our Makerspace
- Interact with students across the health professions as you learn to be part of a successful health care team
Understanding the Science of Nutrition
Internships for Nutrition Majors
As a student in our B.S. in Nutrition, you work with many different organizations to gain critical real-world experience. Partner sites include:
- Maine Medical Center
- Maine SNAP-Ed Program
- Saco Sport and Fitness Center
- Southern Maine Health Care
- 91AV Athletics Department
- 91AV Wellness Program
Apply Today
Ready to begin your future in 91AV’s Bachelor of Science in Nutrition? Get started today.
