Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate
May 1, 2026
August 25, 2026
Enhance the overall health and well-being of individuals, groups, and communities
The Ohio State University’s online Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate is a specialized, 12-credit hour program designed to bridge the gap between clinical nutrition and community health advocacy. This program empowers Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs)—and graduate students currently enrolled in Ohio State’s nutrition and dietetics degree programs—with the evidence-based tools necessary to combat chronic disease and lead behavioral change initiatives.
Why choose Ohio State Online?
- 100% online flexibility: Designed specifically for working professionals, this program requires no campus visits, allowing you to balance your career with advanced education.
- Expert instruction: Learn from the same renowned faculty who teach in the College of Education and Human Ecology and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
- Evidence-based curriculum: Gain advanced training in analyzing nutritional research and applying it to real-world public policy and health promotion.
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"Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program."
Derek Danek Ohio State Online Grad -
"I attribute my recent two promotions to educating myself at Ohio State. I really think that getting the coursework done helped me excel at my current position, and it was recognized."
Demi MacLennan Ohio State Online Grad
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this program is 100% online, offering flexibility for working professionals like you to study from wherever you are.
Online programs at Ohio State are here to work on your schedule. You are welcome to schedule as many credit hours per semester as you feel that you can handle. The amount of credits you schedule will help determine how long it will take to complete your program. Your expected time commitment will vary based on your course load. For every credit hour you are enrolled in, expect to complete three hours of work outside of class, for studying or projects.
Online courses at Ohio State are different from on-campus courses. We have designed online courses to take advantage of the benefits of the virtual experience, including connecting to outside people and ideas, presenting information, and engaging in discussions with your classmates and faculty.
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Academic Calendar
Multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for working professionals and current graduate students to start this non-degree online program, so you can decide when to take the next step toward earning your Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate.
Academic Calendar
Multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for working professionals and current graduate students to start this non-degree online program, so you can decide when to take the next step toward earning your Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate.
Admission Criteria
The Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate program is designed for specialized learners. To enroll in the program, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Concurrent enrollment in an Ohio State Human Nutrition or Medical Dietetics graduate degree program
- Or have a baccalaureate degree plus the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential
All applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in prior undergraduate (and graduate) coursework.
The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.
The Application Process
Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.
Career Outlook
The online Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate is ideal for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, graduate students enrolled in nutrition and dietetics programs, and working professionals.
Top Occupations by Median Income
What They Do
Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.
Work Activities
Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling. Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations. Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $48,830
- Mid Level: $73,850
- Senior Level: $101,760
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
7.4%
Related Careers
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Dietetic Technicians
- Family Medicine Physicians
- Nurse Practitioners
- Pediatricians, General
Job Sectors
- Biology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
What They Do
Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services. Manage and train staff of wellness specialists, health educators, or fitness instructors.
Work Activities
Maintain wellness- and fitness-related schedules, records, or reports. Develop or coordinate fitness and wellness programs or services. Recommend or approve new program or service offerings to promote wellness and fitness, produce revenues, or minimize costs.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $36,880
- Mid Level: $61,340
- Senior Level: $111,130
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
6.9%
Related Careers
- Community Health Workers
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
- Health Education Specialists
- Training and Development Managers
- Training and Development Specialists
Job Sectors
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Administrative
What They Do
Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
Work Activities
Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns. Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care. Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $42,210
- Mid Level: $63,000
- Senior Level: $112,900
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
7%
Related Careers
- Community Health Workers
- Health Informatics Specialists
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
- Rehabilitation Counselors
Job Sectors
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administrative
- Psychology
National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
Curriculum
The online curriculum for the Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate focuses on holistic change. At 12 credit hours, the certificate consists of two core courses — a required core course and a choice of a second core course — and at least two elective courses. You have the flexibility to take courses in any order.
Required core course. An evidence-based review as it applies to nutrition and dietetics, with a critical assessment of the literature based on current topics in nutrition and health, including formulating relevant clinical questions, finding and evaluating evidence, and translating research into practice.
Choice of second core course. Advanced study of community needs assessment, national nutrition policy, design and evaluation of programs and cultural factors to promote the health and nutritional status of the community.
Choice of second core course. Study of non-diet 3 approaches to weight management and health promotion in diverse populations.
Elective course. Explores the complex set of factors that influence food insecurity in the U.S.; current approaches to addressing food insecurity in the U.S. at the local, state, and federal levels; the historical, social, political, and economic roots of current programming efforts; the strengths, limitations, and controversies related to such programming; and the potential for social welfare policy.
Elective course. Students will collaborate with other health care professions using a problem-based learning approach to patient care in community health, focusing on populations living in poverty with complex healthcare needs.
Elective course. Students will gain knowledge and skills in promoting nutrition-related behavioral change. The spirit behind motivational interviewing and strategies for promoting change will be presented.
Elective course. Integrating/applying principles of human nutrition, exercise physiology and biochemistry. Content covers use of nutrients as fuel during exercise, influence of exercise on nutrient requirements and of nutrients on exercise performance, assessment of energy expenditure/nutritional status, ergogenic aids, needs of special populations, eating disorders in athletes, and interaction of diet/exercise in health promotion.
Elective course. Discussion of the major or emerging issues of community and international nutrition in low and middle-income countries/societies.
Elective course. Evidence-based principles for facilitating nutrition-related behavioral change, including mechanisms of change, will be examined. Health behavior theory will be used to guide the development and evaluation of behavior change programs for the target audience.
Elective course. The study of current research on efficacy and safety of herbal and dietary supplements for performance enhancement, disease prevention and treatment.
Understanding Online Course Types
As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.
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Program Faculty
The Ohio State University’s online Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate is led by nutrition experts from Medical Dietetics in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and Human Nutrition in the College of Education and Human Ecology.
Program Faculty
The Ohio State University’s online Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate is led by nutrition experts from Medical Dietetics in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and Human Nutrition in the College of Education and Human Ecology.
Julie Kennel
Associate Professor of Clinical Practice, Co-Director of the Masters in Dietetics and Nutrition program, and Director of the Human Nutrition dietetic internship
Chris Taylor
Professor of Medical Dietetics, Professor Family Medicine
Testimonials
Find out how online learning has helped Ohio State students succeed.
“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”
“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”
“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”
Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill.
Financial Aid Resource
Financial Aid Resource
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