Concordia University Chicago

Sports Nutrition Degrees Online

Concordia University Chicago offers a 100% online Master’s in Applied Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Nutrition.

Pursue Your Vocation with CUC

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
Classes Start: May 5, 2025

Earn a Sports Nutrition Degree Online at CUC

Our fully online MS in Applied Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Nutrition is tailored for working adults, offering the flexibility to complete classes anytime, anywhere. We maintain small class sizes to foster connections between students and professors. Additionally, dual concentrations are available.

The Sports Nutrition concentration equips graduates with the knowledge to guide others in adopting nutrient-rich diets. As a sports nutritionist, you will have the skills to inspire and support individuals aiming to enhance their overall health.

Why Pursue Sports Nutrition Education?

Pursuing a degree in sports nutrition offers several compelling benefits:

  1. Career Opportunities: A sports nutrition degree opens doors to various career paths, including becoming a sports nutritionist, dietitian or wellness coach. These roles are in high demand in fitness centers, sports teams, healthcare facilities and private practice.
  2. Specialized Knowledge: The program provides in-depth understanding of how nutrition impacts athletic performance and overall health. This specialized knowledge is crucial for developing effective dietary plans that enhance performance and recovery.
  3. Helping Others: With this degree, you can play a pivotal role in helping athletes and active individuals optimize their diet to improve performance, recover from injuries faster and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  4. Flexibility and Growth: The field of sports nutrition is constantly evolving with new research and trends. This degree ensures you stay updated with the latest advancements, offering a dynamic and fulfilling career.
  5. Holistic Health Approach: You will learn to integrate nutrition with exercise science, providing a comprehensive approach to health and wellness. This holistic perspective is highly valued in the fitness and healthcare industries.
  6. Personal Benefits: Beyond professional advantages, a sports nutrition degree can also benefit your personal life by equipping you with the knowledge to maintain your own health and fitness.
  7. Networking Opportunities: The program offers opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, professors and industry experts, fostering valuable relationships that can support your career growth.

Overall, a sports nutrition degree is an excellent investment for those passionate about nutrition, fitness, and helping others achieve their health goals.

Skills You’ll Learn in Our Program

In CUC’s sports nutrition program you will learn:

  • How Nutrition Impacts Performance: Understand the critical role nutrition plays in athletic performance, including how to tailor dietary plans to meet the specific needs of different sports and activities.
  • Nutritional Assessment Techniques: Master the skills needed to assess the nutritional status of athletes and active individuals, including dietary analysis and body composition evaluation.
  • Diet Planning and Counseling: Develop the ability to create personalized nutrition plans that enhance performance, aid in recovery and promote overall health. Learn effective counseling techniques to motivate and support clients.
  • Nutritional Biochemistry: Gain a deep understanding of the biochemical processes related to nutrition and exercise, including metabolism, energy production and the role of macronutrients and micronutrients.
  • Sports-Specific Nutrition Strategies: Explore specialized nutrition strategies for various sports, understanding the unique demands and nutritional requirements of endurance, strength and team sports.
  • Hydration and Electrolyte Balance: Study the importance of hydration and electrolyte balance in maintaining performance and preventing injuries.
  • Nutrition for Special Populations: Understand the nutritional needs of special populations, such as youth athletes, older adults and individuals with chronic conditions or injuries.
  • Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Learn to critically evaluate current research and apply evidence-based practices to your nutrition recommendations and interventions.
  • Ethics and Professionalism: Develop a strong foundation in the ethical considerations and professional standards required in the field of sports nutrition.

These skills will equip you to effectively support and guide athletes and active individuals in achieving their health and performance goals.

The CUC Advantage

As a Christian-based institution, we are dedicated to preparing the next generation of leaders to live a life fulfilled by purpose and meaning. Because we aim to model Christlike behavior, our doors are open to all. So, bring your curiosity, your personality and your values. Be a living example of what it means to serve a cause greater than yourself by pursuing an education where ideas inspire you, the Gospel lives and forms you and God’s calling takes root. Show the world what it means to stand tall.

Commitment to Integrity

Integrity lies at the heart of CUC’s values. Our community, composed of faculty, staff and students, is dedicated to living authentically, guided by their faith. Within our programs, students are encouraged to demonstrate resilience and unwavering commitment to their academic pursuits.

Distinguished Faculty

Gain access to the expertise of seasoned faculty members in the field of exercise science. Rest assured, you’ll receive top-tier education from qualified sports nutritionists.

Competitive Price

CUC’s Applied Exercise Science programs are ranked as the second most economical choice nationwide.

What Can You Do With a Sports Nutrition Degree?

A sports nutrition degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities across various industries. Here are some potential career paths you can pursue with a degree in nutrition science:

  1. Sports Nutritionist: Work with athletes and sports teams to develop and implement nutrition plans that enhance performance, support recovery and improve overall health.
  2. Dietitian: Obtain certification as a registered dietitian (RD) and work in hospitals, clinics or private practice, providing nutritional counseling and developing dietary plans for a variety of clients, including those with specific medical conditions.
  3. Wellness Coach: Offer guidance on nutrition, exercise and overall wellness to individuals or groups, helping them achieve their health and fitness goals.
  4. Corporate Wellness Consultant: Develop and manage wellness programs for corporations, promoting healthy eating and lifestyle choices among employees.
  5. Fitness Center or Gym Nutritionist: Provide nutritional advice and create diet plans for gym members to complement their fitness routines and help them achieve their fitness goals.
  6. Researcher or Academic: Conduct research in sports nutrition, contribute to scientific knowledge in the field and teach at universities or colleges.
  7. Product Development Specialist: Work with companies that develop nutritional supplements, sports drinks or health foods, ensuring products meet the nutritional needs of athletes and active individuals in the fitness industry.
  8. Clinical Nutrition Manager: Oversee nutrition programs in healthcare settings, ensuring patients receive appropriate nutritional care.
  9. Public Health Nutritionist: Work with government agencies or non-profit organizations to develop and implement nutrition programs aimed at improving public health and combating issues such as obesity and malnutrition.
  10. Athletic Trainer: Combine your nutrition and food safety knowledge with training techniques to help athletes optimize their performance and prevent injuries.

Each of these roles allows you to apply your knowledge of sports nutritional sciences to help others improve their health, fitness and performance, while also offering opportunities for professional growth and development.

Admission Requirements

Free online application

Bachelor’s degree

2.85 minimum GPA

Objective statement

Letters of recommendation

Earn an MS in Applied Exercise Science, Sports Nutrition

Interested in expanding your knowledge of human nutrition and health science? Concordia University Chicago’s MS in Applied Exercise Science offers a Sports Nutrition concentration for students looking to work as dieticians, nutritionists and wellness consultants. Take your food science knowledge to the next level with CUC’s master’s program.

Make a difference in the lives of others by providing expert nutritional advice and optimizing their diets. For more information, book a call with our admission team or apply today!

Deadline to Apply

April 30, 2025

Start Date

May 5, 2025

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