Nutrition MS

The MS degree in Nutrition is designed for individuals seeking to attain the RD credential. The MS in Nutrition is an accredited didactic program in dietetics (DPD), completion of which certifies eligibility to apply for a dietetic internship. Graduates of the NUTR-MS program may work as nutritionists in a wide variety of health care facilities including hospitals and public health agencies.

Admission Requirements

1. General Admission Requirements to the graduate programs in arts and sciences are observed.

2. An undergraduate major in any field.

3. The aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination or a master’s degree from an accredited U.S. university.

4. At least 30 credits in the following undergraduate or graduate-level basic science and math courses: one semester each of undergraduate courses in introductory foods, introductory nutrition, general chemistry (with lab), organic chemistry (with lab), microbiology (with lab), and statistics or calculus, and two semesters of anatomy and physiology (with lab).

Academic Requirements and Course Distribution

Comprehensive Exam

All graduate students in the MS-Nutrition Program will be required to take a comprehensive exam to demonstrate understanding of the DPD course content. This exam will be given in the last semester of the program and will serve as the final exam in the Practicum course. The exam will be a multiple-choice exam that is similar in style to the ADA national registration exam for dietitians. In order to obtain the Verification Statement, a student must score at least 75% on the comprehensive exam and maintain good standing in the department. If a student scores < 75% on the exam, then the student will be allowed to retake the exam.