Sports Nutrition Degrees
Enroll for June 2025. Become an expert in your field with a doctorate in kinesiology.
Application Deadline: June 16, 2025
Classes Start: June 30, 2025
Sports Nutrition Degrees
Earn your PhD or EdD in Kinesiology with a Sports Nutrition concentration fully online from CSP Global.
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.
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.
What is a Sports Nutrition Degree?
A sports nutrition degree is designed to prepare individuals for specialized careers in the intersection of sports science, exercise physiology, and nutritional health. It emphasizes how nutrition impacts athletic performance, recovery, and overall physical well-being.
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.
At CSP Global, our PhD or EdD in Kinesiology with a Sports Nutrition concentration allows students to deepen their understanding of these principles through advanced coursework, hands-on application, and extensive research opportunities. If you want to become a sports nutritionist, furthering your nutrition education in the health sciences will set you up for success.
Why Choose CSP Global’s Online Sports Nutrition Program?
Choosing CSP Global means you’ll benefit from a curriculum specifically designed to blend academic rigor with practical application. Our program offers:
- Flexibility: As a fully online program, you can pursue your doctorate while maintaining your current career, allowing for a flexible balance between work, life, and education.
- Specialized Focus: A concentration in sports nutrition means your studies will center on the latest research and applications in sports-related dietary science. This ensures that your education is directly relevant to your career goals.
- Experienced Faculty: You’ll learn from industry professionals and experienced educators who bring real-world expertise and cutting-edge research to the virtual classroom.
- Career Advancement: Earning a PhD or EdD in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Nutrition can lead to advanced career opportunities, from academia and research to consulting with professional athletes and sports teams.
What Can You Do with a PhD or EdD in Sports Nutrition?
The versatility of a PhD or EdD in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Nutrition opens the door to several career paths. Graduates of this program are well-prepared to take on leadership roles in a variety of exercise science settings, including:
University Professor or Researcher
Use your expertise to teach the next generation of sports nutritionists or conduct research that advances the field. As the demand for evidence-based practices in sports nutrition continues to grow, those with advanced degrees in nutrition science are highly sought after in academic institutions.
Professional Sports Team Nutritionist
Work directly with athletes to optimize their nutrition, helping them improve performance, speed up recovery, and reduce the risk of injury. From NFL and NBA teams to Olympic athletes, the need for sports nutrition experts is essential at all levels.
Corporate Wellness Consultant
Help businesses create wellness programs that incorporate proper nutrition and exercise for their employees. This role is becoming increasingly important as companies invest more in employee health and productivity.
Private Practice Nutritionist or Consultant
Open your own practice, working with individual clients—athletes and non-athletes alike—to improve their health and performance through personalized nutrition counseling.
Sports and Fitness Program Director
Oversee the development and implementation of human nutrition programs at gyms, fitness centers, or athletic organizations.
Coursework and Curriculum Overview
The curriculum at CSP Global is designed to offer both theoretical knowledge and practical application in the nutritional sciences. Students enrolled in the PhD or EdD in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Nutrition will take courses that cover a broad range of topics, including:
- Advanced Sports Nutrition: This subject dives into the specific nutritional needs of athletes, with a focus on macronutrient ratios, micronutrients, hydration, and the use of supplements.
- Exercise Physiology: Learn how the human body responds to physical activity and the role that nutrition plays in enhancing human performance and recovery.
- Metabolism and Nutrition for Performance: Explore how different nutrients are metabolized during exercise and how this knowledge can be applied to support athletic performance.
- Nutritional Assessment and Planning: Gain the skills to assess the dietary needs of individuals and groups, including athletes, and create detailed nutritional plans that support their goals.
- Research Methods in Sports Science: Equip yourself with the skills needed to conduct high-level research in sports nutrition, preparing you to contribute valuable findings to the field.
In addition to coursework, students will complete a dissertation or research project that allows them to explore a topic of interest in-depth, contributing original research to the field of sports nutrition.
Charting Your Course: An Inside Look at the EdD and PhD Kinesiology Dissertation Process
This special webinar features two professors alongside several students, providing an inside look at the EdD and PhD dissertation process and dissertation defense. You’ll gain invaluable insights and hear firsthand experiences from current doctoral students, successful graduates, and knowledgeable staff, all committed to guiding and supporting aspiring kinesiology doctoral candidates like you.
Why a PhD or EdD?
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.
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.
Core Program Faculty
Dr. Matthew Buns
Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Health Science
Director of the Doctorate in Kinesiology
Dr. Buns’s research examines the mechanisms of expertise in sport and the psychological and cognitive factors associated with motor skills. Dr. Buns has published more than 25 scholarly articles in sport and exercise science and is the founding editor of the Track and Cross Country Journal. Learn more about Dr. Buns here.
Dr. Katie Fischer
Associate VP for Academic Affairs and Strategic Program Development
Dr. Fischer’s background in higher education includes administration of in-class and online programs, development of new programs, and collaborative programming. Her academic focus includes public health, epidemiology, leadership, and program administration. Learn more about Dr. Fischer here.
Dr. Lana Huberty
Dean of the College of Kinesiology, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Health Sciences
Dr. Huberty brings with her a wealth of industry practice in both private and public sport and recreation settings. Research interests and publications focus on sport marketing and sponsorship, gender diversity within sport management, and sport leadership. Learn more about Dr. Huberty here.
The Future of Sports Nutrition
As the world of athletics continues to evolve, sports nutrition plays an increasingly critical role in optimizing performance, injury prevention, and recovery. The demand for knowledgeable and skilled sports nutritionists is growing, driven by a rising awareness of the impact that diet and supplements have on an athlete’s success. Graduates with advanced degrees in sports nutrition are in a strong position to take advantage of this growing field.
With more athletes, from amateurs to professionals, looking to fine-tune their performance, sports nutritionists are needed to provide expert guidance based on the latest research. In addition, there is a growing demand for sports nutrition in non-traditional settings, such as corporate wellness programs and public health initiatives, creating even more opportunities for professionals in this field.
Enroll Today and Take the Next Step in Your Career
CSP Global’s PhD or EdD in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Nutrition gives you the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in a dynamic and growing field. Whether you aim to conduct groundbreaking research, work with elite athletes, or lead wellness initiatives, this program can help you achieve your goals. With a flexible online format, experienced faculty, and a curriculum designed to meet the needs of today’s sports nutrition professionals, CSP Global is the ideal choice for your advanced education.
Take the first step toward your future in sports nutrition by applying for our program today. With CSP Global, you can earn your advanced degree on your schedule, from anywhere.