M.S. in Clinical Nutrition

Clinical Nutrition Opportunities and Outcomes

Career Outlook 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for dietitians and nutritionists is expected to grow 7% over the next decade, faster than the average for all occupations, and the median salary is $69,680 per year.

Clinical Nutrition Program Highlights

• Learn from faculty who have real-world experience in clinical practice, research and nutrition education.
• Choose from special topics courses to fulfill your professional development goals. Explore optional electives in psychology, business or health care management.
• Take classes 100% online, with most courses offered asynchronously to give you the flexibility to complete coursework on your schedule.
• Complete a capstone project focused on real-world experiences and personalized to fit your goals and interests.
• Financial aid and a limited number of graduate assistantships are available.

Clinical Nutrition Course Overview

Complete the 30-credits required for this program at your own pace. Typical time for completion is 1-2 years (3-5 terms)

Required courses for this program with term offered:

Summer

• GEN 501 – Human Development (3 cr)
• NED 513 – Culture & Diversity in Health Care Practice (1 cr)
• NED 640 – Nutrition Assessment (1 cr)
• Special Topics/Electives*

Fall

• NED 656 – Principles of Food Service Management (1 cr)
• NED 645 – Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 cr)
• GEN 506 – Interprofessional Research (3 cr)
• NED 680 – Principles of Nutrition Education (3 cr)

Spring

• NED 655 – Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 cr)
• NED 665 – Topics in Applied Nutrition (2 cr)
• NED 691 – Nutrition Capstone (3 cr)
• Special Topics and/or Electives (6 cr)

Summer

• Special Topics/Electives*

*A total 7 credits of Special Topics/Electives required.

A minimum of 5 credits must be maintained in the Fall and Spring Semesters to be eligible for financial aid.

Clinical Nutrition Admissions Requirements

Admission to the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition requires completion of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program, or equivalent program with verification statement OR current status as a Registered Dietitian Nutrition with the Commission on Dietetic Registration OR successful completion of at least 4 undergraduate-level advanced nutrition courses with a grade of a B or higher and evidence of completion of associated science prerequisite coursework*, as determined by the Program Director.

The following are required for application to Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program:

• Application to and acceptance to the College of Graduate Studies. Applicants must submit a personal statement; 3 letters of recommendation; all transcripts; and a resume/CV.
• DPD verification statement or Declaration of Intent from the DPD OR evidence of current status as a Registered Dietitian Nutrition with the Commission on Dietetic Registration OR evidence of completion of 4 advanced nutrition courses and associated science prerequisite coursework
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall on a 4-point GPA scale
• Based on the application, applicants may be asked to complete an interview prior to admission.
• Students who apply to the program as an avenue for early acceptance to the MSDI must meet the requirements of the MSDI program, noted above.

* Associated science prerequisite coursework includes a minimum of 2 semesters of basic college chemistry, 1 semester of human anatomy and physiology, and 1 semester of biochemistry or equivalent.