Sport Nutrition
Enhance Health and Performance
Sport nutrition focuses on the intersection of nutrition science and active performance. It involves the study of how different nutrients and dietary strategies impact an athlete's health, energy levels, and overall performance. These plans often consider factors such as training intensity, body composition goals, and dietary preferences. By providing tailored nutrition guidance, sport nutritionists play a crucial role in helping individuals achieve their full potential and maintain long-term health and well-being.
The Sport Nutrition graduate certificate is an online program designed for both professionals and graduate students seeking to increase their knowledge of sports nutrition. Students deepen their understanding of dietary strategies to optimize health and performance. Through evidence-based coursework, students gain expertise in creating specialized nutrition programs.
Prepare for Success
More than ever, professional and college-level sports organizations are acknowledging the importance of exposing their athletes to more nutrition conscious lifestyles. Sport nutritionists work closely with athletes, coaches, and others to develop personalized nutrition plans that optimize training adaptations, enhance recovery, and support peak performance. If you are interested in integrating nutrition with athletes or other populations, the Sport Nutrition certificate offers five classes to help prepare students for success.
Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.
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Career Outlook and Income Trends
Most sports nutritionists gain entry into the field by gaining a combination of formal education and training in athletic, fitness and sports settings. Regulatory restrictions for sports nutritionists will vary from state to state. Most employers hire sports nutritionists that have proven occupational proficiency by completing an undergraduate degree in a career-related major such as nutrition, exercise science, sports nutrition, kinesiology, food science and dietetics.
However, sports nutritionists that complete graduate or post-graduate education often attract a greater volume of employers and clients alike. As a result of an expanding job market, sports nutritionists are finding positions in settings that combine physical activity with nutrition. Common workplaces include colleges and universities, sports organizations, athletic clubs, and fitness centers.
Courses:
NTFD 5150 - Introduction to Sport Nutrition
NTFD 5250 - Nutrition and Exercise in Weight Management
NTFD 5255 - Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements for Health and Performance
NTFD 5350 - Advanced Sport Nutrition for Athletic Performance
NTFD 5550 - Current Trends in Sport Nutrition
This certificate is not associated with the requirements to qualify students to take the national registered dietitian-credentialing exam. Applicants should have a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in nutrition, dietetics, exercise science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, athletic training, physical therapy or closely-related field or be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Registered Dietitian (R.D.), or be a graduate student currently enrolled in a dietetic internship/supervised practice accredited by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
"I often provide evidence-based and data-driven training regimens to optimize recovery and adaptation for high-level athletes. More often than not, I am asked to provide nutrition recommendations to complement my athletes' training regimens. With the Sport Nutrition graduate certificate, I will be able to provide better recommendations for my athletes, who compete in weight classes, relative to the training that will be prescribed."
- Dr. S. Kyle Travis, former ETSU student
Steps to Apply
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Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account
Step 1 Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option
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Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal
Step 2 Sign in to the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"
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Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields
Step 3 Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Certificate," term, then choose Sport Nutrition and complete the remainder of the form.
Cost
Credits to complete this program: 15 credit hours
| TN Residents | eRate (Out of State, 100% online) | Out of State |
|---|---|---|
| $646 per credit hour | $805.50 per credit hour | $1,487 per credit hour |
| - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Is a master’s degree required for admission?
A master's degree is not required for this program. However, a student's undergraduate degree should be in nutrition, dietetics, exercise science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, athletic training, physical therapy or closely-related field. Otherwise, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) or graduate students currently enrolled in a dietetic internship/supervised practice accredited by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) are also permitted.
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Does this certificate require the GRE?
The GRE is not required.
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Are the courses for this certificate asynchronous or synchronous?
All courses in this certificate are 100% asynchronous online with no synchronous requirements.
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Does this certificate require field work or an internship?
No, neither field work or an internship is required for this certificate.
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Is this certificate designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations?
This certificate program was developed specifically for the professional who works full-time with other obligations.
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What is the time to completion?
Full-time: Students can complete this certificate in 2-3 semesters.
Part-time: 5+ semesters. Students will work with the program coordinator to craft a plan of study.
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Are scholarships available?
The department does not offer any scholarships for the certificate. However, students are encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.