DNHE full form is Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education. The DNHE duration is 1 year however, open universities such as IGNOU and MPBOU allow extension by a maximum duration of 3 years for flexibility, being amongst some well-known institutes. The most focused Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education topics are public health nutrition, therapeutic nutrition, institutional food administration. Eligibility criteria is met if they have passed class 12 or any other equivalent qualifying exam in any stream with a minimum 50% aggregate marks from any recognized board.
Most colleges offering a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education admission give it on merit and no entrance exam is conducted. Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education course fees range between INR 6,000 and INR 25,000 annually. The job profiles after completion of a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education are health educator, food quality controller, nutritionist/diet assistant etc. The average annual salaries for freshers are INR 2 lakhs to INR 4 lakhs, depending on skills and expertise.
- DNHE Highlights
- What is DNHE?
- Why choose a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education?
- DNHE Eligibility Criteria
- DNHE Admission Process
- DNHE Colleges in India
- DNHE Syllabus
- DNHE Vs Diploma in Dietetics & Nutrition Course Comparison
- Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education: Job Profiles
- DNHE Future Scope
- DNHE FAQs
DNHE Highlights
Given below are the key highlights for the Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education:
Feature | Details |
Course Name | Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education |
Duration | Typically 1 year (can extend up to 3 years in IGNOU) |
Eligibility | 10+2 (any stream) from a recognized board |
Admission Process | Merit-based |
Top Institutes | IGNOU, Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University, Lady Irwin College |
Subjects Covered | Fundamentals of Nutrition, Public Health & Hygiene, Diet Planning, Food Safety & Quality Control, Community Health Education |
Career Options | Nutritionist, Health Educator, Food Quality Controller, Wellness Coach, Community Health Worker |
Starting Salary | INR 2-4 LPA |
Job Sectors | Hospitals, NGOs, Wellness Centers, Government Health Programs, Food Industry |
What is DNHE?
DNHE full form is Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education. It is a year long diploma in nutrition, health, and wellbeing. Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education specializes in healthy eating education, diet planning, public health, and food safety. A Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education is dedicated to diet planning, food safety, and public health policy. It is ideal for students who want to become health educationists and wellness consultants and work in NGOs, hospitals, gyms, or as independent consultants.
Why choose a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education?
Given below are the benefits of choosing a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education:
- The demand for nutritionists and dietitians is high as people are looking for professional advice on management of their lifestyle with opportunities for high paying salaries.
- The industry is also constantly creating new ways of preserving and processing healthy food so that there can be long-term career opportunities.
- Such individuals can pursue a graduate, master's, or Ph.D. in nutrition and other related fields to gain deeper expertise.
- Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education graduates may set up diet clinics and provide customized meal plans with proper licensure.
DNHE Eligibility Criteria
To fulfill Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education eligibility, students must have completed Class 12 or any other equivalent qualifying exam from a recognized board to be eligible. While no specific subject specialization is required, candidates with a background or interest in food and its impact on health may be given preference. Additionally, some institutes may conduct personal interviews as part of the admission process. The selection criteria may vary depending on the institute and its specific requirements.
DNHE Admission Process
The admission procedure for a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education involves a series of steps that may vary depending on the institute’s selection criteria. Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education admission process at IGNOU is given below:
- Submission of Application Form: Offline/online submission of application form to the desired institute.
- Merit-Based Selection: Institutes provide direct admission based on marks.
- Declaration of list of selected students in official college website.
DNHE Colleges in India
Given below is a list of colleges that offer a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education, along with their mode of education and course fees. All these colleges accept admissions on a merit basis for the DNHE course:
College Name | Location | Mode of Education | Application Last Date | Fees |
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) | New Delhi | Distance Learning | February 28, 2025 | INR 6,000 |
Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University (MPBOU) | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | Distance Learning | March 15, 2025 | INR 6,000 |
Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | Regular | March 22, 2025 | INR 22,000 |
University of Mysore | Mysuru, Karnataka | Regular | Feb 10, 2025 | INR 4,800 |
Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Distance Learning | March 30, 2025 | INR 4,000 |
Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University | Allahabad, UP | Distance Learning | 17 March, 2025 | INR 6,000 |
DNHE Syllabus
Given below is the DNHE IGNOU syllabus for your reference, the syllabus consists of 2 semesters giving an in depth knowledge about the course:
Semester | Course Name |
Semester 1 | Fundamentals of Nutrition |
Nutritional Needs for Different Age Groups | |
Food Groups and Nutrient Sources | |
Balanced Diet and Meal Planning | |
Semester 2 | Public Health and Hygiene |
Methods of Nutrition and Health Education | |
Communication Strategies in Health Education | |
Project Work (Practical Application) |
DNHE Vs Diploma in Dietetics & Nutrition Course Comparison
Below tabulated is the comparison between Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education and Diploma in Diabetes and Nutrition to help students make a better informed decision:
Criteria | Diploma in Nutrition & Health Education | Diploma in Dietetics & Nutrition |
Duration | 1 Year (Extendable up to 3 years in some universities such as IGNOU) | 1 – 2 Years |
Eligibility | 10+2 (Any Stream) | 10+2 (Preferably Science) |
Mode of Education | Distance (IGNOU) + Some Universities Offer Regular | Mostly Regular Mode |
Core Subjects | Community Nutrition, Public Health, Health Education, Communication Strategies | Human Nutrition, Diet Planning, Food Science, Clinical Nutrition |
Career Opportunities | Nutrition Educator, Health Consultant, NGO Worker, Public Health Advisor | Dietitian, Clinical Nutritionist, Food Consultant, Sports Nutritionist |
Average Salary (Freshers) | INR 2 - 4 LPA | INR 3 - 6 LPA |
Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education: Job Profiles
This table provides an overview of career opportunities and salary ranges for professionals post the completion of a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education:
Job Title | Description | Average Salary p.a. for freshers |
Health & Wellness Coach | Guides clients on lifestyle changes, diet, and fitness. | INR 3 - 4 L |
Dietetic Assistant | Assists dietitians in meal planning, nutrition counseling, and patient support. | INR 3.5 - 4 L |
Nutrition Educator | Conducts workshops and awareness programs on healthy eating and nutrition. | INR 3 - 3.5 L |
Food & Nutrition Sales Executive | Sells nutritional products, supplements, or health foods. | INR 3.5 - 4 L |
Community Health Worker | Works with NGOs, government health programs, and schools to promote nutrition awareness. | INR 2 - 2.5 L |
Weight Management Consultant | Designs diet plans and advises on weight loss/gain. | INR 2 - 3 L |
Food Safety Officer (Entry-level, with Certification) | Ensures food hygiene and safety regulations in food industries. | INR 3 - 4 L |
DNHE Future Scope
Upon the completion of Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education, students can follow the below given career paths:
- One can pursue a Bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s degree in the same field.
- For further specialisation, one can also proceed with a PhD with specialisation in the same field.
- There are also several short term certifications available such as CNS, or PG Diploma in Clinical or sports nutrition.
DNHE FAQs
Is there a scholarship for a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education?
Yes, some universities and government programs offer scholarships for a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education based on merit or need. One may also approach NGO and private sources of funding.
Is it possible to set up one's own consultancy in nutrition after a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education?
One cannot initiate a consultancy on Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education. Special certificates or BSc or MSc in Nutrition are needed.
Is a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education valid for Government jobs?
Post Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education, then it can be sought in government career streams such as Community Health Worker or job posts based on public health programs. The qualification would be based on the field and the organization, though.
Can further study be done after Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education?
Yes, there is room for further studies such as a BSc in Nutrition, Public Health, or Dietetics after a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education. Career growth with better research and clinical facilities may be the horizon.
