Best Master’s in Nutritional Sciences Degrees 2021

Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University is a public research university that ranks among the top 100 national universities in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report. Known for their outstanding graduate programs, NC State’s Department of Food, Bioprocessing & Nutrition Sciences stands out for their commitment to both research and outreach.

NC State offers an interdepartmental Master of Science in Nutrition that will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. For those wanting to pursue a career in research or a PhD program, the school provides a thesis option. The non-thesis option expands knowledge in the science of nutrition that will prepare you for jobs in public health, health and wellness promotion firms and departments, and food and pharmaceutical companies. Emphasis areas include:

• Feed Science
• Human Nutrition, Food and Bioprocessing
• Professional Science - Feed Science

NC State’s MS in Nutrition is a 30-36-credit program, depending on whether you choose the thesis or non-thesis option. Both tracks offer a high degree of flexibility in course selection, with few course requirements. And if you’re looking for a degree you can complete at least partially online, many courses are available both face-to-face and online. The program takes between 18 and 24 months to complete full-time.

A research powerhouse, Texas A&M University has one of the top ten system endowments in the nation and is home to one of the United States’ largest Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Regarded as a leader in many disciplines, the college is constantly working to improve public health, grow the economy, and feed the world.

Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers a Master of Science in Nutrition that offers a comprehensive understanding of the science of nutrition. With an emphasis in the broad fields of basic and applied animal and human nutrition, students perform research in a wide variety of areas under the guidance of faculty from a number of diverse departments. Courses include:

• Nutrition
• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Statistics

Texas A&M’s MS in Nutrition is a 32-credit program of lecture, seminar, and research courses as well as a required thesis. If you have a particular interest in dietetics, the university also offers a combined MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship, which is an accredited program of the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. This includes a 9-month supervised practice component (which takes place once your coursework is completed) in one of several clinical specialties.

Located in Athens, GA, the University of Georgia is a historic, public research university that U.S. News and World Report ranks at #54 nationally. The school is home to both renowned graduate programs and vibrant student life, earning it the designation of a “public ivy.” And UGA is also a leader in Foods and Nutrition, with high caliber programs for highly qualified students.

UGA’s Department of Foods and Nutrition offers a Master of Science in Foods and Nutrition. Featuring a faculty with diverse research interests, UGA offers Nutrition students a broad spectrum of topics to delve into. With particular strengths in clinical, basic science, and consumer foods, UGA also offers expertise in sports nutrition - a rarity among graduate Nutrition programs. You’ll also benefit from cutting-edge facilities and equipment. Courses include:

• Micronutrient Nutrition
• Advanced Macronutrients
• Special Topics in Foods and Nutrition

UGA’s MS in Foods and Nutrition is a 30-credit program with both a thesis or non-thesis track. Both programs offer a large number of electives to tailor your degree. The non-thesis track is intended for students not wishing to pursue a doctoral degree, and it will prepare you for clinical, community, industry, government, and basic science careers. UGA also offers an MS/Dietetic Internship that will qualify you to take the exam to become a registered dietitian.

Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a medium-sized private university that U.S. News and World Report ranks among the top 50 national universities in the country. Known for its world-class research, CWRU’s School of Medicine is home to a highly-regarded Department of Nutrition that provides education and research that bridges the gap between medicine and public health.

If you want a public health slant to your Nutrition program, CWRU’s Department of Nutrition offers a Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition that prepares students for employment in public health or community agencies. The program is equally appropriate for recent graduates of a Bachelor’s in Nutrition program as for dietitians, nurses, and physicians wanting to enhance their skills and credentials. Courses include:

• Introduction to Public Health Nutrition
• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Advanced Human Nutrition

CWRU’s MS in Public Health Nutrition is a 16-month, 31-credit program comprised of six required courses and several electives. For those interested in becoming Registered Dieticians, CWRU offers a combined Dietetic Internship/Master’s program. And for those wanting extra credentials, with the addition of extra coursework, there is also the option to complete a specialty certificate in either Maternal and Child Nutrition or Gerontology.

The flagship institution of the University of Texas system, the University of Texas at Austin is a public research university with one of the largest campus enrollments in the country. This allows for great educational diversity, and UT Austin has an abundance of programs that rank among the best in the country - not to mention research expenditures that exceed $550 million per year.

The School of Human Ecology at UT-Austin offers a science-based, human-focused Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences that provides advanced training for dieticians and other health and wellness professionals. The curriculum includes biochemical, molecular-biological, and clinical components. You’ll be prepared for a wide range of careers in teaching, administration in public health programs, and technical positions at food, pharmaceutical, and chemical laboratories. Courses include:

• Research Problems in Nutritional Sciences
• Advances in Nutrition: Macronutrients
• Advances in Nutrition: Vitamins and Minerals

UT-Austin’s MS in Nutritional Sciences is a 30-33 credit program depending on whether you choose the thesis or the non-thesis option. The program is offered both on campus and 100 percent online. And if you want to become a dietician, you can also apply to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics, which meets the requirements for registration eligibility of the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.

Located in the rainy seaport city of Seattle, WA, the University of Washington is a public research university that U.S. News and World Report ranks among the top public schools in the US. The school is home to many prestigious graduate programs, and the School of Public Health is home to more than 40 centers and institutes that bring together faculty from throughout the School to collaborate and do research across disciplines.

UW’s School of Public Health offers an interdisciplinary Master of Public Health in Nutritional Sciences. As a student in UW’s program, you’ll learn from nationally-recognized faculty with networks spanning a wide range of disciplines. And on graduation you’ll be ready to participate in the design and management of population-based community nutrition interventions. Coursework includes:

• Nutritional Sciences
• Epidemiology
• Biostatistics

UW’s MPH in Nutritional Sciences is a 63-quarter-credit program which includes a practicum and field experiences. Recent graduates from UW’s program have pursued careers in public health nutrition, clinical management, research, teaching, clinical dietetics, and in administration of local or state nutrition programs. And UW keeps graduate tuition at a highly competitive rate, so the degree won’t break your bank.

Located in the heart of Alabama’s largest city, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is a nationally-ranked public research university. Home to the UAB Health System - one of the largest academic medical centers in the country - students take their learning out of the classroom to participate in multi-professional research initiatives in basic, clinical, and translational research.

UAB’s Department of Nutrition Sciences offers a Master of Science in Nutrition Sciences with multiple track options. Within this highly flexible degree program, you’ll be able to choose a program that fits your career goals - whether that is pursuing a career in research, general nutrition education, dietician education - or to become a Registered Dietician. Track options include:

• Dietician Education Program
• Clinical Track - Dietetic Internship
• Clinical Track - Prior Learning Option
• Research Track
• Lifestyle Management & Disease Prevention Track

UAB’s MS in Nutrition Sciences program requirements vary widely depending on the track option you choose. With the exception of the Research track, all tracks have online options combined with supervised field experiences in Birmingham. All programs are taught by highly experienced, credentialed faculty, and are designed to be completed in one to two years of full time study.

Situated in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a large public research university that U.S. News and World Report ranks among the top 100 national universities in the country. MSU’s graduate programs frequently rank among the best in the nation—and students in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition enjoy updated research and educational facilities.

MSU’s  Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition offers a Master of Science in Human Nutrition program that provides a strong biochemical research base combined with practical community-based applications. This is a well integrated program that allows faculty and students to take part in transdisciplinary development opportunities. Courses include:

• Advanced Biochemical Nutrition
• Advanced Vitamins and Minerals
• Research Methods in Human Nutrition

MSU’s MS in Human Nutrition is a 30-credit program that includes research and coursework in advanced nutrition and statistics. You’ll also be able to take coursework in areas like anthropology, pathology, and genetics. And if you want to prepare for the national registration examination for dietitians, you can also choose to complete the combined master's degree and dietetic internship.

The first university to be established in the Arizona territory, the University of Arizona is a large, public research university located in the city of Tucson, AZ. Among the school’s highly-regarded academic departments, UA’s Department of Nutritional Sciences advances the study of nutrition through cutting-edge research, outstanding academic programs, cooperative extension programs, and continuing professional education.

UA’s Department of Nutritional Sciences offers a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences for individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds. Students take part in graduate research projects that highlight links between basic, translational, and applied nutrition research. Active research programs in the department include investigations in diabetes, obesity, immunity, and musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases. And UA’s two signature research areas in the field of nutrition are:

• Bioactive Compounds, Nutrients and Lifestyle: Relationships to Cancer
• Metabolic and Behavior Factors Influencing Body Composition

UA’s MS in Nutritional Sciences is a 30-credit program which includes six required courses, electives, and a thesis. This program has an outstanding reputation for conducting scientific research that is interdisciplinary and collaborative in nature across many disciplines and departments. With a variety of study areas to choose from, you’ll be able to select a mentor from among 27 faculty members representing nine disciplines.

Set amongst the rolling hills and bluegrass culture of Lexington, KY, the University of Kentucky is a public research university and the highest ranked research university in the state, according to U.S. News and World Report. The College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment provides students with excellent teaching, transformative research, and relevant service.

UK’s Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition offers a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems which provides advanced nutrition education, research, and service experiences. This is a multidisciplinary program that emphasizes the impacts of food systems and diet on human health - you’ll apply practical and critical thinking skills to address nutrition-related problems in an evolving global society. Core courses include:

• Research Methods in Human Environmental Sciences
• Advanced Community Program Development
• Food Systems and Society

UK’s MS in Nutrition and Food Systems is a 30-36 credit program depending on whether you choose the thesis option (30 credit) or the coursework-only option (36 credit). The curriculum emphasizes contemporary nutrition topics - such as food systems, research methods and health behavior theories, as well as community programming and intervention development, among others. You’ll also be able to choose to complete dietetics credentialing to become a registered dietician.