Nutrition and Human Performance

• The nutrition and human performance program is designed to provide an easy transition into Gannon’s new Master of Science program in sport and exercise science, concentrating on human performance.
• Nutrition and human performance students will have the opportunity to work closely with the 20 varsity men’s and women’s athletic teams at Gannon.
• Gannon’s nutrition and human performance students have the opportunity to gain professional experience and put their knowledge and skills to use through a clinical practicum during their senior year. Nutrition and human performance majors gain advanced, applied experience in both nutrition and exercise physiology.
• The program prepares students for possible certification by national governing bodies such as the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Sports Education Program and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, among others.

You Will Learn

The nutrition and human performance program is designed to provide students with comprehensive knowledge of how nutrients can fuel the body, examine disease states, and the psychophysiological perspective of nutrition. Students will gain understanding of the many factors that impact physical performance both in competitive and non-competitive settings. The program pays particular attention to providing the student with extensive training in exercise science with significant exposure to nutritional science as it relates to both elite athletes as well as nutrition in medical/clinical settings.

The program helps to prepare students for graduate studies in Registered Dietician programs and/or certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition as a Certified Sports Nutritionist.

Because nutrition and human performance is a major within the sport and exercise science department, this major provides an opportunity for students who are interested in both nutrition and sport science to combine their interest in one academic program, which is a stepping-stone to diverse career choices. A degree from the sport and exercise science department provides a solid base in biological sciences, nutrition and exercise science courses.

You Will Experience

Students in the nutrition and human performance program have the opportunity to complete internships that are, at minimum, 100 hours in length. These internships are customized based on students’ interests. Internship opportunities include:

• athletic/sports teams
• dietician offices
• fitness facilities
• community organizations
• hospitals

You Will Achieve

Nutritionists are employed by various athletic and clinical organizations.  With a greater emphasis being placed on performance and preventative medicine, the demand and earning potential for qualified sports nutritionists and registered dieticians is likely to increase over the next decade.

Such opportunities include but are not limited to:

• Clinical/hospital settings
• Community/government organizations
• Individual athletes/athletic teams
• Private practice
• Corporate wellness

You Will Earn

Salaries in the field vary depending on the location and type of organization.

• Starting salary: $41,300
• Mid-career salary: $59,100

All salary information is compiled from data gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) and/or PayScale (payscale.com).  

You Will Study