Sports nutrition degrees
The Master of Science in Exercise and Nutrition Science (M.S.-ENS) prepares students to work in government, business, the sports industry and in education as practitioners on professional interdisciplinary teams gto vs exploitative. The program is for students seeking a strong foundation for further study and research including those pursuing a terminal degree.
Starting in 2024, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics will require entry-level Registered Dietitians Nutritionists (RDNs) to have completed a master’s degree. If you’re already an RDN seeking to be more competitive in the job market, our Sport Nutrition graduate’s degree will expand your knowledge and skill set. If you are a student seeking to enter the profession, this degree will enable you to work as a sports nutritionist in settings that don’t require RDN certification.
On the other hand, an EdD is more practice-oriented and focuses on applying knowledge to real-world settings. It’s perfect for those who aspire to leadership roles in educational institutions, sports organizations, or health and wellness programs. While both degrees provide a solid foundation in sports nutrition, the EdD is geared toward individuals looking to take their knowledge and immediately implement it in professional environments.
This degree is essential for those looking to become experts in the dietary needs of athletes, where food, hydration, and supplements play critical roles in achieving peak performance. Students learn to assess nutritional needs, create tailored diet plans, and utilize cutting-edge research to support athletes in improving their performance, reducing injuries, and optimizing recovery.

Sports nutrition centers
Choose high-quality carbohydrate-rich foods that are minimally processed. This includes any whole fruit, starchy vegetables such as whole potatoes and corn, a variety of whole grains (including oats, whole grain bread, and wild rice), and beans.
While you might have heard that low-carb diets help athletes, the body of scientific evidence just doesn’t support that.9 Rather, getting enough carbs is crucial for optimizing your performance, recovery, and body composition.
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s sport nutrition team is uniquely positioned to bring today’s best practices to the forefront. Each sport dietitian within the team brings a high level of expertise to the sports they support. They utilize science as the foundation for performance enhancement and health optimization, taking a food-first approach and tailoring nutrition advice for each individual athlete’s fuelling, hydration, and recovery needs.
One of the roles of sports nutritionists is to help debunk these myths and provide athletes with accurate information. Here are three of the top sports nutrition myths — and what the facts really say.
The body can only really absorb so much protein at one time. So, the secret is really to spread your protein throughout the day. Sometimes we’re often so busy, we put all our protein in our evening meal and think, oh, I got all my protein in.
International society sports nutrition
Tang JE, Manolakos JJ, Kujbida GW, Lysecki PJ, Moore DR, Phillips SM. Minimal whey protein with carbohydrate stimulates muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise in trained young men. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2007;32:1132–8.
Beelen M, Zorenc A, Pennings B, Senden JM, Kuipers H, Van Loon LJ. Impact of protein coingestion on muscle protein synthesis during continuous endurance type exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2011;300:E945–54.
Ormsbee MJ, Kinsey AW, Eddy WR, Madzima TA, Arciero PJ, Figueroa A, et al. The influence of nighttime feeding of carbohydrate or protein combined with exercise training on appetite and cardiometabolic risk in young obese women. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2015;40:37–45.
Esmarck B, Andersen JL, Olsen S, Richter EA, Mizuno M, Kjaer M. Timing of postexercise protein intake is important for muscle hypertrophy with resistance training in elderly humans. J Physiol. 2001;535:301–11.

Tang JE, Manolakos JJ, Kujbida GW, Lysecki PJ, Moore DR, Phillips SM. Minimal whey protein with carbohydrate stimulates muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise in trained young men. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2007;32:1132–8.
Beelen M, Zorenc A, Pennings B, Senden JM, Kuipers H, Van Loon LJ. Impact of protein coingestion on muscle protein synthesis during continuous endurance type exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2011;300:E945–54.
Degree in sports nutrition
Both the PhD and EdD offer unique benefits depending on your career aspirations. The PhD in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Nutrition is ideal for those who are research-focused and looking to contribute to the academic field or take on high-level research roles. A PhD prepares graduates to lead research projects, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and shape the future of sports nutrition through new discoveries.
Our program equips you with the advanced knowledge, research skills, and practical applications needed to excel in the growing field of sports nutrition. Whether you aim to work with elite athletes, support recreational fitness enthusiasts, or advance into teaching and research roles, this degree can open the door to numerous opportunities in both the academic and professional worlds.
Are you passionate about the science behind athletic performance, exercise physiology, and the role nutrition plays in optimizing physical health? CSP Global’s fully online PhD or EdD in Kinesiology with a Sports Nutrition concentration can help you turn your passion into expertise.
The program may have additional requirements that pertain to kinesiology and sports studies. Students planning to become a certified dietician should choose a sport nutrition program with an internship requirement.
General skills are equally as important as education and credentials in becoming a successful sports nutritionist. Sandra Mayol-Kreiser, a clinical associate professor at Arizona State University, said, “I tell my students all the time, you can be the best dietitian in the world, but if your patients are not understanding what you’re saying and they’re not at home, it’s futile.”