Build a Healthier Future With Nutrition
Apply the science of nutrition to promote wellness, prevent disease and improve lives.
Ignite your passion for health and wellness with Owens’ Nutrition Concentration, AS degree. As public awareness grows around nutrition’s vital role in preventing and managing chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, demand continues to rise for professionals with strong foundations in both food science and human biology. This program equips you with the scientific knowledge and practical skills to meet that growing demand.
From food chemistry to human biology, you’ll explore how diet influences health outcomes and disease prevention. You’ll graduate prepared for immediate employment in nutrition-related roles or ready to transfer to a four-year institution for advanced study in nutrition, dietetics or public health.
Essential competencies for nutrition professionals:
- Leadership in Food and Nutrition Services: Develop skills to lead and collaborate within cross-functional teams while ensuring delivery of safe, high-quality nutrition services across clinical, community and institutional settings.
- Applied Nutrition Expertise: Learn to translate evidence-based dietary guidelines into practical meal planning and foodservice strategies that meet diverse nutritional needs and support positive health outcomes.
- Operational and Organizational Excellence: Master complex foodservice operations through effective planning, budgeting and problem-solving while developing proficiency in menu development, inventory control and regulatory compliance.
Small Classes. Expert Guidance.
Our instructors are experts who take pride in your success. Combined with our small class sizes, you’ll get one-on-one mentorship and precise technical feedback tailored to your goals.
Award Type
Associate of Science (AS)
Department
Department of Food, Nutrition and Hospitality
Required Credit Hours
62-64
By the Numbers
60
Credit hours—pathway to bachelor’s in dietetics, food science or nutrition
2,340
Dietitians and nutritionists working in Ohio
14:1
Student-to-faculty ratio, offering a personalized learning environment
From Anatomy to Applied Nutrition
In your first semester, you’ll build a foundational understanding of how the body processes food and how people make nutrition choices through courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology and immunology, chemistry, psychology and ethics. You’ll enhance your communication and critical thinking skills through general education courses including composition, art and humanities, and statistics.
As you advance through the program, classroom learning integrates with hands-on experience in the kitchen and lab. You’ll explore nutrition principles and examine the roles of macronutrients and micronutrients while developing practical skills in food preparation, food safety, foodservice management and healthy cooking techniques.
The program culminates in an applied nutrition field experience where you’ll investigate how science, culture, and food intersect to shape healthier communities. This experiential learning component reinforces the vital connection between academic knowledge and real-world impact.
Student Learning Outcomes
Student will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective communication in their area or concentration of study.
- Demonstrate their ability to access and interpret information within their area or concentration of study.
- Think critically to anticipate, recognize, and solve problems within their area or concentration of study.
- Add value through service to their community or area/concentration of study.
Career Outcomes
Upon graduation, you’re prepared to pursue meaningful roles such as nutrition assistant, community nutrition worker, dietetic technician or food science technician. You can work in a variety of settings, including food pantries, school nutrition programs, mobile meal services and food manufacturing facilities.
You’ll be eligible to sit for the Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) exam through the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (CBDM), a nationally recognized credential that opens doors to leadership positions in nutrition and foodservice management within healthcare and institutional settings.
Additionally, your earned credits and strong foundation in science will prepare you to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in nutrition, dietetics, food science or related fields—positioning you to pursue advanced credentials such as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or other professional roles in clinical and community health.
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In Their Words
“The instructors work with you, answer any questions you have, and are patient. They learn how you work and work with you to give recipes that help build your skills.”
Sabrina Myers, Nutrition Concentration, ’23
Getting Started at Owens
Begin your high-quality education at an affordable price today!
Enrollment is easy—just fill out an online admissions application to get started. We’ll ask you to submit your transcripts for course placement and college credit.
Upon acceptance, schedule a meeting with your admissions advisor to register for classes. Next, attend an on-campus orientation and meet with your student financial services advisor to discuss ways to pay for college.