Nutrition Programs at Ontario Colleges

What to expect from a career in the Nutrition Industry

With today’s society becoming increasingly health-conscious, more people are seeking the help of professionals to manage their eating habits and lifestyles. The diet and nutrition industry is one of the fastest growing, with new and diverse job offerings appearing every year. Nutrition programs at Ontario colleges provide students with the theoretical knowledge and business skills they need to take on a role in this exciting industry.

If you have a passion for health and nutrition and want to turn it into a career helping others, here’s what you need to know. More

Nutrition Programs

Nutrition programs focus on the health and business perspectives of the nutrition industry, giving students the skills they need to design, maintain and manage nutrition programs for diverse clientele. Although individual program focuses will vary, the majority will include a selection of courses that fall into these three categories:

Nutrition and Diet. First and foremost, students must have an understanding of the body’s nutritional requirements and how they can be met. Students learn how different lifestyles impact the nutritional requirements of different age groups.
Health and Safety. Health and safety is always a concern in any food-related position. Courses in sanitation, food preparation, food service and many others teach students the safe practice of handling and serving food in any professional role.
Business and Marketing. Many positions in the food and nutrition industry require business and marketing skills, whether it’s simply planning and executing a menu or promoting a nutritional awareness program. Communications, interpersonal skills and public relations are a few of the courses focused on marketing, while accounting, project management and critical thinking courses provide students with a strong business knowledge of the industry.

General Nutrition Program Requirements

Ontario college nutrition programs typically require an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, which includes a grade 12 English credit. Additional credits will vary by program, but will likely include advanced science and / or math credits.

Some nutrition programs are offered as graduate certificate programs. In these cases, a diploma or degree in a related program will be necessary for admission.

Nutrition Jobs and Salaries

Nutrition program graduates can find work in a number of facilities or organizations as nutritionists and dieticians, including (but not limited to):

Hospitals and nursing homes
Food services and cafeterias
Public health services
Government

Salaries vary depending on the position, but typically start between $25,000 and $30,000 per year. Wages generally increase with experience.

Ontario Colleges Offering Nutrition Programs

Use the left-column navigation to refine your search by College, Program Availability, Program Start Date and more, or see the table below for a complete list of nutrition programs at Ontario colleges. Less

Nutrition Programs at Ontario Colleges

What to expect from a career in the Nutrition Industry