Master's in Nutrition: Programs, Concentrations & Careers

Texas Woman's University offers a Master of Science in Nutrition degree, which is designed to prepare students to pursue more advanced degrees, or to enter the workforce in leadership roles as health practitioners. Students may pursue either a thesis option, which requires the completion of 30 program hours, or a coursework option, which requires the completion of 36 program hours. Non-thesis students may choose to complete the program with either an exit exam or a capstone seminar. Applicants must have maintained a 3.25 GPA for their final 60 undergraduate credits.

The Marywood University Master of Science in Nutrition degree is designed for students who are pursuing careers as food service system managers, clinicians, researchers or food and nutrition specialists. Students who don't have a bachelor's degree in nutrition or a related field may apply, but may have to take supplemental undergraduate coursework. In fall and spring semesters, classes are generally held once a week for three hours, with summer classes meeting twice a week. The culminating element of the program is a master's thesis, which is an original research project created by the student and an approval committee.

University of Nevada, Reno's Master of Science in Nutrition aims to provide students with nutritional biochemistry, clinical applications, nutritional analytic and physiology competencies. The curriculum is designed for students who are currently working in the healthcare field and who are seeking to advance their knowledge base. Specific core courses associated with the major include principles of nutrition, human anatomy, physiology, general chemistry laboratory and educational research. It takes approximately two years to graduate as a full-time student. To gain admittance, prospective students need at least a 3.0 GPA, three reference letters, passing GRE scores, transcripts and a statement of purpose.

Three graduate nutrition degrees are offered at Utah State University: a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Service, a Master of Food Safety and Quality and a Master of Dietetic Administration. Environmental toxicology, food chemistry, nutrition and food sciences and special food related problems are courses built into the curriculum. Graduates may go on to careers such biomedical researcher, food technologist, food service director, food marketer, biomedical researcher or corporate food research developer. A host of resources are available to students, including academic and career advising, financial aid, tutoring and student events.

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center confers a Master of Science in Nutrition and a Master of Arts in Dietetics. Students complete laboratory research work at the Health Sciences Center, with an option to complete a dietetic internship which includes a minimum of 1,208 supervised hours at an approved facility. Interns also complete a clinical rotation. All students should expect to take classes like human physiology, biochemistry, energy nutrients, pediatric nutrition and statistics. It takes about two years to graduate. Major-based organizations that students could join include the Student Dietetic Association. Financial aid, academic advising and career services are available.

The master's degree program in exercise and nutrition science is intended for students who plan to pursue advanced professional positions in a variety of fields, including health promotion for children, adolescents and adults. North Dakota State University's curriculum requires a thesis and courses in areas such as applied statistics and exercise physiology. Students also analyze recent scholarly research and study related risk factors for public health and individual wellness. Those enrolled in the nutrition science major can take electives from the school's online dietetics graduate program, studying diet in the context of aging, obesity, sports, food service or clinical practice.

The University of Utah's master's in nutrition science major is designed for students who are interested in working in dietetics, nutrition or the health services. A total of 40 credit hours are needed to graduate. These credits are broken down into 28 credits in core classes and 12 electives. Nutrition communication, research, biostatistics, macronutrient metabolism and weight management are just some of the topics covered during core classes. A resume, Graduate Record Exam scores, statement of purpose and undergraduate transcripts are required when applying for the major. First time students must start classes during the fall semester.

The Master of Science in Nutrition, Exercise and Food Sciences offered by South Dakota State University prepares students to pursue careers as research assistants or coordinators, research dietitians, clinical exercise physiologists, clinical dietitians, public health nutritionists, public health officials or strength and conditioning instructors. The graduate program focuses on instilling students with not only subject competency, but also the written and oral communication skills required to thrive in the field in pursuit of the development of value-added food products. Students may also pursue several other related degrees at the graduate level.

At the University of Nebraska, students with an interest in nutrition or dietetics can major in the Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Sciences. The program comes with an option to specialize in dietetics. Core courses built into the 36-credit-hour program include research concepts, statistics, health promotion, community nutrition and human physiology. Before registering for classes, students are required to meet with their academic advisor. It takes between two to three years to graduate. Graduates may enter careers such as registered dieticians or certified health educators.

Framingham State University has two options for students pursuing a Master of Science degree in Food and Nutrition, including options for students who are working toward a master's degree in education with a concentration in nutrition. The program boasts small class sizes and a high pass rate for students who take the registration exam for dieticians. Students may work toward becoming a registered dietician while they pursue their MS through a coordinated program. All degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Iowa State University offers three specialized tracks that lead to a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences degree. The coursework focuses on the relationship between nutrition and health in both humans and animals. The school's unique Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutritional Science (IGPNS) integrates 10 separate disciplines, combining information and strategies from each to give students a well-rounded course of study. Students are expected to complete 30 graduate level courses, at least 22 of which must be taken at Iowa State. Students must complete and defend a thesis, fulfill research requirements and complete teaching assistant requirements.

Kansas State University offers an Master of Science in Human Nutrition degree, as well as two other master's degrees with an emphasis on nutrition. Students can pursue the degree through coursework, a thesis or a report. Thirty-five credits are required for students who pursue coursework, with between 30 and 32 credits required for the other two tracks. In order to be eligible for the program, students must have a bachelor's degree and a GRE of 295. MCAT scores will be considered in the place of GRE. Once accepted, graduate students automatically become members of the Human Nutrition Graduate Student Organization.

The University of Kentucky's Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences is taught through the school's Division of Nutritional Sciences. There is a thesis and a non-thesis option and extensive research work with a faculty member is required with the thesis option. The non-thesis option requires that students pass an oral examination. Available specializations include community nutrition, biochemical and molecular nutrition, clinical nutrition and sports and wellness nutrition. During core classes, students learn about subjects like integrated nutritional sciences, ethics, clinical research, statistical analysis and biological chemistry. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to work as registered dieticians, nutritionists working for government agencies, sports nutritionists and food and nutrition educators.

SUNY Buffalo offers a Master of Science in Nutrition degree that is designed to give students the opportunity to participate in faculty research across several different disciplines. Graduates will leave prepared for careers in government or private counseling, as well as in the hospitality or food industries. The program can be personalized with one of two specialized tracks. Either track can be completed with a thesis, a project or comprehensive exam. Students will work with their advisor to determine the most appropriate course of study. Students must complete 36-credit hours, a minimum of 24 of which must be taken in residence.

The Master of Science in Nutrition degree at Eastern Michigan University requires between 30-36 credits, depending on the individual course of study. More credits may be required for students who don't have the appropriate undergraduate pedigree. On top of the coursework, students are required to complete a "culminating experience," which could be a thesis, research or research writing, depending on the preference of the student. Students must also complete as little as three and as many as 19 cognate course credits.

University of California-Davis' Graduate Studies division offers a master's in advanced study in maternal and child nutrition. Careers that the degree aims to prepare students for include school food nutritionist, nursing home dietician or a food marketer for a major corporation. Areas covered during the program include nutrition during pregnancy, infant nutrition and nutrition for children and adolescents. One internship or research project is required to graduate. Thirty-six credits are needed to graduate. To apply, students must hold a bachelor's degree and one year of general chemistry and physiology classes.

Advanced nutrition degrees offered at the University of Vermont include the Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Science and a Master of Science in Dietetics. Career goals that fit the nutrition and food science major include diabetes educator, health analyst, product development scientist and nutritional researcher. The Dietetics specialization prepares students to work careers such as food service director, registered dietician and project associate. A minimum of 30 credits are needed to graduate. These credits are earned by completing lab, research and classroom coursework. Sample core courses are functional foods, nutrition education and counseling, community nutrition and food safety.

The applied nutrition program offers a choice of concentrations including obesity and eating disorders. Students can also build on their existing knowledge with a specialization in nutrition and education, fitness or business. The master's level program at Northeastern University is open to students with a related undergraduate degree. Students learn advanced theory and techniques in health promotion and disease prevention through improved diet. Studies also explore the human metabolism and patient behavioral psychology from a clinical perspective. Students can choose a project for their practicum based on individual interests and work closely with practitioners in the field, including health professionals and registered dietitians.

Graduates of the Master of Science in Nutrition program can pursue leadership roles in a range of professions. Long Island University Post students choose from different concentrations to customize their course of study. Each specialization is built on the program's core competencies and supplemented with a series of approved electives in areas ranging from clinical practice to geriatrics to exercise physiology. This nutrition program is not intended for those seeking the registered dietitian credential. To help students achieve that goal, the school offers a dietetic internship through an advanced certificate program as well as an accelerated combined BS/MS degree program.

The Master of Science in Nutrition offered by Case Western Reserve University is designed for students with a bachelor's degree in nutrition or a related degree, as well as for industry professionals seeking to further their credentials and education. There are two options, both of which require students to complete 15 semester hours of nutrition courses, six of which must be in advanced human nutrition science. Graduates will be qualified to enter the workforce as professionals, or to pursue further degrees. There is also a nutrition program designed for students pursuing a career in public health.

The University of Wyoming administers its Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition program through its College of Agriculture. The curriculum prepares students to complete doctorate level training in areas like food chemistry, food development, metabolism and community nutrition. Students can also enter registered dietician, food director, sports nutritionist and diabetic counselor careers post graduation. Laboratory and research facilities that the school provides are sensory evaluation rooms, a meat-processing center and electron microscopes. Students majoring in the specializations take classes like human metabolism, human anatomy, physiology, statistical research and clinical analysis. Graduation requirements include 30-credit hours, four of which are earned by completing a thesis.

Students who pursue a Master of Science in Food Science degree at Delaware State University will be in a unique position to work alongside USDA-ARS scientists, and to have access to their state-of-the-art equipment. These scientists may also serve as co-advisors on student research. All thesis defenses and research projects will be conducted under the advisement of Department of Human Ecology faculty. The multi-disciplinary program incorporates engineering, biology, microbiology, chemistry and nutrition to ensure students study a well-rounded curriculum. It takes at least two years to complete the degree, with 30 credit hours of advanced coursework.

It takes 32 credit hours to finish the University of Central Oklahoma's Master of Science in Nutrition. Principles in nutrition, statistics, biochemistry and human physiology are focal points of the program. The minimum GPA allowed for core courses is a 3.0. Many of the careers that align with the graduate degree are in the hospitality, government, healthcare and education industries. These careers include food equipment marketer, chef, caterer, school food service director and nursing home food nutritionist. In addition to learning about weight management and how different nutrients impact the human body, students also gain human relations and critical thought skills.

Anyone working in nursing, nutrition or health services can enroll in a Master of Clinical Nutrition-Coordinated Program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The school also offers a Master of Clinical Nutrition-Registered Dietician major. Both degree tracks are for potential students who have an existing nutritional license. Curriculum courses include nutrition care process, sports nutrition, medical nutrition as it applies to children and infants, nutrition in growth and development and research and statistics. It takes about six semesters to finish the required 36 credits as a full-time student. Twelve of the credits come from electives. GRE scores, transcripts and three recommendation letters are needed when applying for admission.

Brigham Young University's master's program in nutritional science is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in the same field, or a related area such as dietetics or biochemistry. The program accepts new students for the fall and winter semesters and should prepare students to work in a variety of settings, such as government, community, industry and non-profit organizations. Many students also choose to continue on to doctoral programs.

Required courses include advanced human nutrition, statistics and a master's thesis class. Students also choose one elective to specialize their degree; options include human obesity, diet and cancer and nutrition through the lifecycle.

This program satisfies requirements for both the Master of Science degree and the dietetic internship program. Core courses in dietetics are combined with a minor in areas of concentration such as health, education, business or counseling. Field experience is gained through a practicum in area preceptor sites. To accommodate students with other obligations, classes usually take place in the evenings. Students must pass a comprehensive examination for both their major and minor, but a thesis is not required to graduate. Sam Houston State University reports that the program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

East Carolina University's College of Human Ecology offers a Master of Science in Nutrition degree that was developed for registered dietitians who are seeking to advance their careers or improve their credentials, as well as for students pursuing careers in the field. Students may choose to either write a thesis or complete a research project under the direction of a nutrition faculty member and graduate advisor. Both options require original research. Students have up to six years to complete the program, which consists of 36 semester hours as well as the supplemental research requirements.

A Master of Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences degree from North Carolina A&T University prepares students for careers in quality control, research, dietetics, community nutrition, food industries and college instruction, as well as for public service agencies such as Cooperative Extension. Students may also go on to pursue more advanced degrees. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The university boasts a top-rate library and a host of other student resources, including career services and a writing center.

Marshall University's Master of Science in Dietetics degree is designed for students who are pursuing advanced positions in community nutrition, nutrition management and clinical nutrition. Applicants must be registered dieticians. Any prospective students who are not registered dieticians are required to complete an internship certificate program, which, at 21 credits, represents the bulk of the 36-credit program. If the student chooses to submit a thesis, nine extra credits will be required, as will an oral defense of the thesis. Fifteen extra credits are required for students who opt out of a thesis.

The Master of Science in Human Nutrition degree program at Texas State University focuses on the overlap of biotechnology, food and healthcare. The program incorporates both research and practical training in order to give students the scientific knowledge and technical skills needed to enter the field. Graduates will be equipped to pursue a number of professions that focus on the promotion of health and the prevention of disease. Applicants who have a limited science background, or who were not nutrition majors as undergraduates, may have to take supplementary courses before starting the program.

The master's degree program in nutritional sciences allows students to personalize their studies to match their professional aspirations. Beyond the core courses in macronutrients, micronutrients, research methods and statistics, optional specializations include public policy, infant and maternal nutrition, advanced laboratory techniques and immunology. Students, advisors and an advisory committee work together to select and organize a customized, unique curriculum. Oklahoma State University provides a choice for either a thesis or non-thesis route to graduation. The thesis option incorporates 30 credits and extensive research. The option without a thesis requires 34 credit hours, including a comprehensive examination, written research paper and oral presentation.

The University of Southern Mississippi offers a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems. The specialization that is offered with the major prepares students to manage child nutrition programs. Biostatistics, applied nutrition advancements, management of food production and nutrition public policies are classes that make up the core curriculum. It takes about three years to complete the program as a part-time student. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores that were taken within the last five years, three recommendation letters and undergraduate transcripts are required as part of the admissions process.

The University of Mississippi confers a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems. The advanced degree covers areas like managing child nutrition programs, basic statistics, ethics in healthcare and community health. A minimum of 36 credits are needed to graduate. Part-time students generally take up to two classes a semester; on a full-time basis, students can take up to 12 credits a semester. To get into the program, potential students must have at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA, provide three letters of recommendation as well as GRE scores. Financial aid, including scholarships, is available.

Students may pursue a Master of Science in Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion degree with a Nutrition concentration at Mississippi State University. The program requires 30 hours of graduate credits, as well as a research thesis and a final defense of that thesis. Six of the 30 credit hours are dedicated to research and thesis. Students may simultaneously pursue a dietetic internship, which is a post-baccalaureate program that gives them hands-on experience in the field as they work toward their master's degree. When they complete the internship, graduates will be ready to take the Registration Examination of the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Southeast Missouri State University's Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science is designed for students who hold a degree in a related field. Admission is a 2-step process that requires students to first be accepted into the graduate school and then into the program. The program's objective is to produce graduates who move on to provide services in exercise and nutrition that promote healthy lifestyle changes. The program requires the completion of 39 credits, nine of which come from electives. In order to be accepted, students must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.

Students who enroll in the University of North Carolina at Greensboro's Master of Science in Nutrition program through the thesis option must complete at least 37 credit hours to graduate. Students who enroll through the non-thesis option must complete at least 40 credit hours. The thesis option is research based while the non-thesis option has an oral examination requirement. All students get the chance to conduct laboratory research. Core classes are taken in subjects like nutrients and phytochemicals, childhood nutrition, weight management, health and disease and assessing nutritional standards. Careers associated with the major include nutritional educator, food marketer and registered dietician.

There are two ways to complete the Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences degree offered by Texas Tech University. Students may choose to complete 30 semester hours of graduate courses and complete a thesis, or they may also elect to complete 36 hours without a thesis. Dietetic interns may also pursue the MS degree on either a 33-hour thesis track or a non-thesis track that requires 39 hours. Students are expected to enroll full time, or 12 hours in a normal semester. Students must achieve at least a C in any course to gain graduate credit.

Appalachian State University offers a master's program in nutrition with a dietetic internship. The program focuses on rural health, educating students on the health disparities between rural and urban populations and how to best provide nutrition care to the underserved rural demographic. Several faculty members in the program focus their research in the rural area, bringing information of traditional and current dietary practices of the local region into the classroom.

Students can choose from thesis or non-thesis programs; both require 39 credits of study. Curriculum addresses a variety of current topics in nutrition including nutrition for the elderly, maternal and child nutrition and research methods. The program takes two years to complete, including one summer session.

At the University of New Mexico, the Master of Science in Nutrition is administered through the College of Education. Skills gained from the graduate major are nutrition and weight management, clinical decision-making and research interpretation skills. Sample courses include nutrition assessment, quantitative educational research, applied statistical design, human nutrition and medical nutrition therapy. Thirty-six credits are needed to graduate, whether students enroll in the thesis or the non-thesis options. Admissions screenings are held twice a year, and post-graduation, students may work in healthcare or nutrition departments areas such as school cafeterias, nursing homes, government agencies or sports facilities.

Students may earn a master's in food and nutritional sciences though the University of Wisconsin, Stout's campus. While it is recommended that students enter the program having earned a related bachelor's degree, unrelated degree-holders may also be admitted to the program, where they can specialize in food science and technology or human nutritional science concentrations. The 34-credit core curriculum should prepare students to sit for national examinations and includes a seminar. Students may choose from an internship or a research option, where they will either participate in a dietetic internship or study research design and statistical methods depending on the path they choose.

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at Louisiana Tech University is designed to gives students a high-level understanding of the relationship between science, food and disease. Students will learn not only the manner in which nutrition influences health, but will develop a deep understanding of the relationship between research and public policy. The program stresses the use of outcome-based research in the pursuit of evidence-based practice. Students who choose to complete and defend a thesis are required to take 30 credits. Those who choose coursework without a thesis are required to finish 39 credits.

The Master of Science in Nutritional Science degree offered by San Diego State University combines coursework in both nutrition and food science. The program culminates in a thesis that focuses on either human or animal subjects. Students will conduct research in the school's laboratories, which contain equipment and facilities for animal research, under the direct supervision of department faculty. Faculty conduct a wide range of research in the same facilities. Graduates may pursue careers as food service supervisors, service providers or administrators of community nutrition programs, government or industry professionals, researchers, quality control specialists or educators at community colleges.

Students have two options in their pursuit of a Master of Science in Nutrition degree at Eastern Kentucky University, one of which leads to becoming a registered dietician. Both options require graduates to achieve a B or better, as well as to pass a comprehensive written examination that is graded on a pass/fail basis. Students must also complete an oral presentation that demonstrates their knowledge of the program's contents. The program is designed to be completed in two years, and is aimed at students with related bachelor's degrees. Those with unrelated degrees may still be eligible after completing supplemental coursework.

Nutrition students at California State University, Chico can earn a master's degree in general nutrition science or nutrition education with a 30-credit program and either a thesis or a professional paper. The programs emphasize the importance of evidence-based practice, following the guidelines of the American Dietetic Association. Students will have access to pre-professional opportunities to practice their skills through work with the local community. The programs also boast a low student to faculty ratio of 3.4 to 1, with classes averaging about 15 students.

Students interested in becoming registered dieticians can also complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics concurrently with their master's program. This program takes about 3.5 years to complete.

The Department of Food Science and Agriculture at Texas A&M University, College Station offers a Master of Science in Nutrition degree. In order to graduate, students will have to complete at least 33 credit hours of seminar, research and graduate lecture courses. The program's core lecture courses consist of nutrition, physiology, statistics and biochemistry. Students are also required to complete and defend a thesis. The university also offers a combined degree/dietetic internship program, as well as and non-degree internship program. All programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).